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Parachute Rigger Handbook

FAA-H-8083-17A Version 2015 (Change 1)
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Chapter 3

Materials

Figure 3-26. Type-4 Tape.
Figure 3-26. Type-4 Tape.
Figure 3-27. Tubular webbing.
Figure 3-27. Tubular webbing.
Figure 3-28. Type-1, 1" Parachute construction tape.
Figure 3-28. Type-1, 1" Parachute construction tape.
Figure 3-29. Tape, polyester, 2".
Figure 3-29. Tape, polyester, 2".
Figure 3-31. Kevlar® tape.
Figure 3-31. Kevlar® tape.
Figure 3-30. Tape, nylon, 3".
Figure 3-30. Tape, nylon, 3".
Figure 3-32. Cotton elastic webbing.
Figure 3-32. Cotton elastic webbing.
Figure 3-33. Cord, nylon, Type-2 and Ty-3.
Figure 3-33. Cord, nylon, Type-2 and Ty-3.
Figure 3-34. Cord, nylon, Type-1a.
Figure 3-34. Cord, nylon, Type-1a.
Figure 3-35. Cord, nylon, Type-2a.
Figure 3-35. Cord, nylon, Type-2a.
Figure 3-36. Cord, Nylon, Type-5.
Figure 3-36. Cord, Nylon, Type-5.
Figure 3-37. Cord, Dacron.
Figure 3-37. Cord, Dacron.
Figure 3-39. Cord, Spectra®.
Figure 3-39. Cord, Spectra®.
Figure 3-40. Cord, Spectra®.
Figure 3-40. Cord, Spectra®.
Figure 3-38. Cord, Kevlar®.
Figure 3-38. Cord, Kevlar®.

Hardware

Hardware, as defined in the context of parachutes, is “all metal parts associated with parachutes, their systems, and their suspended loads.” Most riggers identify hardware as the snaps, adapters, rings, links, and releases commonly used on harnesses. In addition to these components, other hardware includes items such as lightweight links and snaps, ripcords and handles, stiffeners, grommets, springs, and snap fasteners. [Figures 3-44 through 3-79] Most load bearing hardware consists of drop-forged alloy steel, sheet alloy steel, or forged aluminum alloy. Lightweight hardware may be stamped from the sheet alloy steel, or in rare instances, cast. Ripcord pins are cold forged. The majority of the load bearing hardware is forged carbon steel with either cadmium or zinc plating.

Figure 3-41. Cord, Vectran® LCP.
Figure 3-41. Cord, Vectran® LCP.
Figure 3-42. Cord, HMA.
Figure 3-42. Cord, HMA.

In recent years, there has been a movement to produce newer design hardware of stainless steel. This removes the problem of plating and the environmental problems associated with it. However, stainless is harder on the forging dies and the finishing processes take longer. Consequently, stainless hardware is generally more expensive than carbon steel.