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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

Square Canopy—Crossport Repair, procedure photograph 1 (source page 7-36).
Square Canopy—Crossport Repair, procedure photograph 1 (source page 7-36).
  • Make sure that there are no twists in the lines.
  • Check that the steering toggles (if used) are tied on securely.

Square Canopy—Crossport Repair

  • Applicable products: Square main canopies with crossports
  • Description: Repair of damaged crossports in square main canopies
  • Authorized repairmen: FAA Senior or Master Parachute Rigger
  • Materials: E thread—color to match; fabric—type and color to match
Square Canopy—Crossport Repair, procedure photograph 2 (source page 7-36).
Square Canopy—Crossport Repair, procedure photograph 2 (source page 7-36).
  • Machines: 301 straight stitch—medium duty 7–11 SPI
  • Equipment: Scissors, seam ripper or scalpel, marking pencil, 6-inch ruler, pin board, straight pins, patching triangle, and hot knife

Procedure

There is no limit as to how many crossports may be repaired on a main canopy. Reserve canopies are another matter.

The number and authority to repair crossports on a reserve varies between manufacturers. Before attempting to repair the crossports of a reserve, first check with the manufacturer.

Disassembly

  1. Many times, when the crossport is damaged, there is extensive gathering and distortion of the fabric. Before progressing, smooth out the fabric to reshape the rib as close as possible to its original shape.

Reassembly

  1. The basic idea of the crossport repair is a three-sided patch sewn the same as a standard French fell seam patch. The fourth side is open and re-cut to the shape of the crossport. [Figure A] However, if the damage is extensive enough, it may be advisable to patch the complete crossport area and then re-cut the crossport in its original shape with a hot knife.
  2. Pin the rib to the pin board.
  3. Mark out the damaged area as you would a standard patch. Lay the patch material in place and pin.
  4. Sew the patch in place with a seam 1⁄16 inch from the edge.
  5. Turn the patch over, fold the seam, and sew as a standard patch. [Figure B]
  6. Lay the repaired rib on a suitable surface and re-cut the crossport shape in the exposed edge of the patch material with the hot knife. [Figure C]

Inspection

  • Verify the seams of the patch are even and thread tension is correct.
  • Hot knifed edge of the crossport must be smooth and even.
Square Canopy—Crossport Repair, procedure photograph 3 (source page 7-37).
Square Canopy—Crossport Repair, procedure photograph 3 (source page 7-37).

Square Canopy—Trim Check and Re-trim

  • Applicable products: Square main canopies
  • Description: Re-trimming the suspension lines of main canopies to return to the original trim specs
  • Authorized repairmen: FAA Senior or Master Parachute Rigger
  • Materials: E thread
  • Machines: 308 zigzag—medium duty 7–11 SPI or 1 inch × 42 stitch bar tack (optional)
  • Equipment: Scissors, seam ripper or scalpel, marking pencil, 6-inch ruler, 25-foot tape measure, and pony clamp

Procedure

Checking and re-trimming main canopies is a common requirement for riggers. All canopies and all kinds of suspension lines get out of trim in time with use. The rigger that knows how to quickly check the trim on a customer’s canopy, and then determine how much work it takes to return it to the original configuration is performing a valuable service. In most cases, as long as the suspension lines are in good condition, re-trimming a canopy adds hundreds of jumps to the life of the canopy and returns the performance to almost as good as new. The chart shown in Figure A is tailored to apply to normal ram-air canopies. Certain designs, such as elliptical canopies, may have nonstandard trim measurements that require more detailed measurements. The rigger should consult the manufacturer’s manuals or technical data for these canopies.