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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

Hand Tacking Techniques, procedure photograph 8 (source page 7-88).
Hand Tacking Techniques, procedure photograph 8 (source page 7-88).
Hand Tacking Techniques, procedure photograph 6 (source page 7-88).
Hand Tacking Techniques, procedure photograph 6 (source page 7-88).
Hand Tacking Techniques, procedure photograph 9 (source page 7-88).
Hand Tacking Techniques, procedure photograph 9 (source page 7-88).
Hand Tacking Techniques, procedure photograph 7 (source page 7-88).
Hand Tacking Techniques, procedure photograph 7 (source page 7-88).
Hand Tacking Techniques, procedure photograph 10 (source page 7-88).
Hand Tacking Techniques, procedure photograph 10 (source page 7-88).

Hardware

  1. Take the needle and doubled supertack and pass it through the leg pad from the bottom next to the edge of the leg snap. [Figure H]
  2. Pass the supertack over the bar of the snap and down through the pad. [Figure I]
  3. Continue with two more turns over the bar keeping the tackings next to each other. [Figure J]
  4. Secure the two ends on the bottom of the pad with a surgeon’s knot and locking knot. [Figure K]
  5. Twist the ends together and trim to a ¾ inch tail.
Hand Tacking Techniques, procedure photograph 11 (source page 7-89).
Hand Tacking Techniques, procedure photograph 11 (source page 7-89).

Cleaning and Washing Procedures

  • Applicable products: Most harness and container systems
  • Description: Cleaning and washing parachute components
  • Authorized repairmen: FAA Senior or Master Parachute Rigger
  • Materials: Woolite® or similar mild liquid soap and a lot of clean fresh water
  • Machines: Jumbo tumbler type commercial washing machine. It is not recommended to do this in your home washing machine.
  • Equipment: Medium stiffness scrub brush, large pillowcase or laundry bag, wash tub, assortment of rags, and extra laundry

Background

This procedure applies only to harness and container systems. Most canopy manufacturers do not approve of washing their products to clean them. Doing so may alter the performance characteristics of the canopy. Follow the instructions in the owner’s manual for each make and model of canopy.

Colorfastness

It is important to check for colorfastness of certain types of materials. Colored E thread and Type-3 binding tape have shown a tendency for their colors to run when wet or damp. Red is particularly prone to doing so. Before using the following procedures, the rigger or owner should check for colorfastness. Do so by wetting a small area of the container including the binding tape and then lay a damp piece of white cotton t-shirt on the wet area. Leave for 30 minutes. Check to see if any color has transferred to the cotton fabric. If not, then it is probably alright to wash the rig. Remember, this procedure in no way guarantees that the colors will not run.

Procedure

Disassembly

  1. Remove all canopies, AADs, and component parts, such as toggles, RSL, ripcords, bags, and elastic keepers, as well as the packing data card.

Handwashing

  1. Soak the rig in lukewarm water. Apply straight Woolite® or soap onto the dirtiest areas and scrub with the brush. Soak in lukewarm water for 20 minutes.
  2. Scrub the rig vigorously all over. Soak for another 20 minutes.
  3. Continue scrubbing vigorously and soak for another 20 minutes. For particularly dirty rigs, empty the first batch of soapy water and wash in a fresh batch of soapy water.
  4. Squeeze out as much soapy water as possible. Immerse in fresh, clean, cool water and rinse several times until no further soap comes out.
  5. Hang to dry out of direct sunlight. The use of a fan directly onto the rig will greatly speed up the drying process.

Machine Washing