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Parachute Rigger Handbook

FAA-H-8083-17A Version 2015 (Change 1)
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Chapter 7

Repairs, Alterations, and Manufacture

  1. Check the tension of the two panels. They should be equal.
  2. Take a straightedge and mark the location of the spanwise reinforcing tape. [Figure F]
  3. Sew the panel along the outer edge at .12 inch from the folded edge.
Square Canopy—Partial Panel Replacement, procedure photograph 8 (source page 7-24).
Square Canopy—Partial Panel Replacement, procedure photograph 8 (source page 7-24).
Square Canopy—Partial Panel Replacement, procedure photograph 5 (source page 7-24).
Square Canopy—Partial Panel Replacement, procedure photograph 5 (source page 7-24).
Square Canopy—Partial Panel Replacement, procedure photograph 6 (source page 7-24).
Square Canopy—Partial Panel Replacement, procedure photograph 6 (source page 7-24).
Square Canopy—Partial Panel Replacement, procedure photograph 9 (source page 7-24).
Square Canopy—Partial Panel Replacement, procedure photograph 9 (source page 7-24).
  1. Turn the panel inside out. Trim the damaged panel at .62 inch from the edge of the panel edge. [Figure G]
Square Canopy—Partial Panel Replacement, procedure photograph 7 (source page 7-24).
Square Canopy—Partial Panel Replacement, procedure photograph 7 (source page 7-24).
Square Canopy—Partial Panel Replacement, procedure photograph 10 (source page 7-24).
Square Canopy—Partial Panel Replacement, procedure photograph 10 (source page 7-24).
  1. Fold the fabric under to create a French fell seam. Sew a stitch row .12 inch from the folded edge.
  2. Sew a piece of reinforcing tape on the bottom of the replacement panel along the line for the spanwise reinforcing tape. [Figure H]
  3. Repair the non-loadbearing rib with a three-sided patch. [Figure I]
  4. Draw a line along the edge of the partial panel on each side from the point where the old panel meets the new one. Trim the fabric along this line. [Figure J]
  5. Check the tension of the new partial panel piece against the edges of the other panels that formed the original seam. They should all be equal. [Figure K]
Square Canopy—Partial Panel Replacement, procedure photograph 11 (source page 7-25).
Square Canopy—Partial Panel Replacement, procedure photograph 11 (source page 7-25).
  1. Refold the original seam with the three panel edges and stitch as per the original seam. [Figure L] Overstitch a minimum of 2 inches on each end.
Square Canopy—Partial Panel Replacement, procedure photograph 12 (source page 7-25).
Square Canopy—Partial Panel Replacement, procedure photograph 12 (source page 7-25).
  1. If a line attachment has been removed for the repair, the tab must be replaced. Make sure that the line/tab does not have a twist in it. Locate it at the correct location and reattach as per original.

Inspection

  • Check the fabric tension of the replaced panel. It should be equal to that in the remainder of the cell.
  • Spanwise reinforcing tape should be straight and sewn.
  • Seams should be folded correctly and thread tension even along both rows of stitching.
  • Line should be attached correctly and have no twists.

Square Canopy—Rib Repair

  • Applicable products: square canopies; main and reserve
  • Description: Rib repair on a square canopy
  • Authorized repairmen: FAA Master Parachute Rigger —mains and reserves; FAA Senior Parachute Rigger—mains
  • Materials: E thread; fabric—type and color to match, reinforcing tape—type and color as per original
  • Machines: 301 dtraight dtitch—medium duty 7–11 SPI, 1 inch × 42 stitch bar tack, double needle with puller attachment (optional) and SPI to match original
  • Equipment: Scissors, seam ripper, marking pencil, ruler, pin board, straight pins, and patching square

Procedure

Repairing a rib of a square canopy is similar to doing a partial panel repair. The biggest difference comes when the rib is either:

  1. A “loaded” rib or one with support tapes for the line attachment points, or
  2. A crossport is damaged and needs to be repaired and recut. In this case, the crossport area needs replacement. [Figure A]