C. PACKING PARACHUTES CO1 -Requirements.
CO2 - Preparation.
CO3 -Inspection.
C04 -Folding and stowing.
C05-Closing, finishing, and sealing.
D. PARACHUTE OPERATION AND CARE DO1 -Function of parts and assemblies.
D02-Handling and storage.
DO3-Airing and drying.
DO4 -Safety practices.
D05-Forces acting on a parachute.
E. PARACHUTE CONSTRUCTION DETAILS E01 -Pilot parachute.
EO2 -Main canopy.
E03 -Container.
E04 -Release devices.
E05 -Suspension lines.
E06 -Harness.
E07 -Parachute hardware.
E08 -Parachute specifications.
F. PARACHUTE REPAIR FO1 -Repair standards.
FO2 —Canopy repair.
FO3 -Harness repair.
F04 - Miscellaneous repairs.
F05 -Sewing and stitching.
F06 - Sewing machines.
FO7 -Hardware repair.
F08 -Cleaning parachutes.
FO9 -Container repair.
G. PARACHUTE ALTERATION GO1 - Alteration standards.
GO2 -Canopy alteration.
GO3 -Harness alteration.
GO4 -Hardware alteration.
GO5 -Container alteration.
Practice Test The practice test which follows is provided to familiarize you with the type of test questions contained in the FAA parachute rigger written tests. It is important to remember that the practice test does not cover all of the subjects on which you will be tested. For this reason, you should acquire knowledge in all the written test subjects, not just the answers to these few sample test questions.
Each question is followed by four suggested answers. In each case, select the one that best answers the question and then blacken the corresponding space on the "Practice Test Answer Sheet," which follows the practice test. Answers to the practice test also follow the practice test.
1. After packing a parachute intended for emergency use in a civil aircraft, a certificated parachute rigger shall enter which of the following on the packing record attached to the parachute?
1-The parachute retirement date, packing date, and his/ her signature.
2-His/her signature, date, and place of packing.
3-His/her certificate number, signature, the date and place of packing, and a notation of any defects 4 -The date, his/her certificate number, seal symbol, and signature.
2. When packing a parachute, what determines the width of the canopy folds?
1-The width of the pack.
2-The diameter of the canopy.
3-The number of suspension line channels.
-The width of the suspension line retainers.
3. What is the minimum period of time that an applicant for a senior parachute rigger certificate shall have served as a parachute rigger?
1—Two years.
2-Three years.
3- For at least 90 days within the preceding 12 months.
4 -There is no minimum time specified.
4. When laying out a seat- or back-type parachute for packing, how should the harness be placed with reference to body position of the wearer?
1-Face down with the head away from the canopy.
2-Face up with the head away from the canopy.
3-Face down with the head toward the cariopy.
4-Face up with the head toward the canopy.
5. How long should a parachute be aired prior to packing?
1-Allow 1 hour of airing for each day the parachute was packed.
2-Four hours, provided the parachute is not wet.
3-It should be aired at least 8 hours.
Until the parachute has been thoroughly dried.
6. Which of the following statements are true? (1) Filler yarns in the weave of parachute canopies extend lengthwise through the material. (2) When applying a patch, the patch material filler yarns must be matched with those of the canopy.
1- -Only statement (1) is true.
2-Only statement (2) is true.
3-Neither statement (1) nor (2) is true.
4—Both statements (1) and (2) are true.
7. Which component of the sewing machine used for parachute repair work prevents the thread from becoming tangled around the needle as it travels through the material?
1-The needle bar.
2-The thread takeup level.
3-The thread controller spring.
4—The action of the sewing hook.
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8. How long must a certificated parachute rigger retain a record of the packing, maintenance, or alterations performed or supervised by him/her?
1-At least 2 years after the date the work is completed.
2-At least 1 year after the date the work is performed.
3-At least 2 years after the date the parachute is disposed.
4-Until notified by the FAA that he/she may dispose of them.
9. After packing a parachute, how does a certificated parachute rigger seal each pack?
1-The safety tie is sealed with the parachute rigger's individual seal in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
2-The safety tie is sealed with the parachute loft seal in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
3-The safety tie is sealed by securing the pack elastics in their respective positions.
4-The safety tie is sealed with the seal symbol issued by the parachute manufacturer.
10. In addition to meeting the experience requirements, what other requirements must be met by a member of the United States military who applies for a senior parachute rigger certificate?
1-Pass an oral and practical test.
2-Pass a written test with respect to parachutes in common use.
3-Present evidence to the FAA that he/she holds the equivalent military rating.
4-Pass a written test on the FAR's.
11. According to FAR Part 65, when exercising certificate privileges, a parachute rigger must have available suitable housing that is adequately heated, lighted, ventilated, 1-and is high enough to allow a parachute to be hung vertically for drying and airing.
2-and has provisions for adjusting and controlling the humidity.
3-for drying and airing parachutes.
-and meets all the requirements specified in 1, 2, and 3 above.
12. No certificated parachute rigger may exercise the privileges of his/her certificate and type rating unless he/she understands the current manufacturer's instructions, and has 1-pertormed duties under his/her certificate for at least 90 days within the preceding 12 months.
2-packed at least 20 parachutes within the preceding 12 months.
3-performed duties under his/her certificate within the preceding 90 days.
4-packed at least 10 parachutes of each of two types in common use within the preceding 12 months.
13. FAR's require a certificated parachute rigger to keep a record of the packing, maintenance, or alteration of parachutes performed or supervised by him/her. Identify the tollowing items required to be entered:
A - Retirement date of parachute.
B - Date parachute was manufactured.
C - Name and address of parachute owner.
D - Type and make of parachute and its serial number.
E - Date and place where the particular operation was performed.
1—A, B, C.
2- B, C, D.
3-C, D, E.
4D, E, A.
14. When requested, a certificated parachute rigger is required to present his/her certificate to 1-the owner of a parachute the rigger has packed.
2-any state or local law enforcement officer.
3-a person holding a master parachute rigger certificate.
4-a certificated pilot or flight instructor.
15. FAR's provide for the issuance of which type ratings for master parachute rigger?
1-Seat, special purpose, back, and lap.
2-Chest, back, seat, and chair.
3-Lap, chest, chair, and cargo.
4-Back, lap, seat, and chest.
16. When repairing a broken stitch in a canopy seam, what action should be taken?
1-Anchor the ends of the broken thread using fabric cement.
2-Sew back and forth across the ends of the broken stitch.
3- Reinforce the seam by applying a patch.
4 -Backstitch for at least 1 inch.
17. What is the minimum period of time an applicant for a master parachute rigger certificate shall have served as a parachute rigger?
1-Two years.
2-Three years.
3-Four years.
4-Five years.
18. What determines the service life of a canopy?
1-The total number of repairs.
2-The number of times it has been packed.
3-The total number of times it has been used for jumping.
4-The tensile strength and porosity of the material.
19. What is the purpose of a parachute seal symbol?
1-To identify a certificated parachute rigger.
2-To identify the parachute manufacturer.
3-To indicate FAA approval of a parachute assembly.
4-To identity parachute canopy material.
20. A certificated parachute rigger who applies for an additional type rating must pass which of the following tests?
-A written test for the type rating sought.
2-A practical test for the type rating sought.
3-An oral and practical test for the type rating sought.
4-A written and practical test for the type rating sought.
EXAMPLE OF
PRACTICE TEST
ANSWER SHEET 200001 10000 4 1OQOQ I O 14 Q 15 • OO 16 OQOO 18 0 0 19 e O 15
ANSWERS TO
PRACTICE TEST QUESTIONS
QUESTION
NUMBER ANSWER
15
1 ‚4
.3
…4 3 16
ORAL AND PRACTICAL TESTS Taking the Oral and Practical Tests Completion of the oral and practical tests is usually the final step in becoming certificated or in adding a rating to a parachute rigger certificate. An oral and a practical test must be taken for each type rating issued during original certification (except in the case of military applicants for senior parachute rigger certificates). When ratings are added to a senior or master parachute rigger certificate, a practical test is required for each rating in addition to the experience requirement.
Oral and practical tests are administered by FAA inspectors or by FAA-designated parachute rigger examiners (DPRE's). The scope of the tests is the same, whether given by an inspector or by a DPRE.
Arrangements for taking the oral and practical tests should be made in advance of the date on which you desire to take the test.
If an FAA inspector gives the oral and practical tests, the necessary facilities and equipment must be furnished or arranged for by the applicant. The applicant will be expected to furnish: (1) a smooth-top table, at least 3 feet wide by 40 feet long, (2) provisions for drying and airing parachutes, (3) manufacturer's instructions, and the tools and equipment used to pack and maintain the types of parachutes for which a rating is sought, and
(4) adequate housing facilities to perform the duties of a parachute rigger and to protect the tools and equipment.
At least one approved parachute of each type for which a rating is sought must be available for the oral and practical tests.
If a DPRE gives the oral and practical test, he/she will assure that suitable facilities and equipment are available to conduct the test. Since designated examiners are not paid by the FAA for their services or the use of their facilities and equipment, they are authorized to charge a fee for administering oral and practical tests.
The names and addresses of the FAA DPRE's in each district can be obtained from the FAA district office that serves the area.
You will be given an application form and instructions for filling it in by the person who administers the tests.
He/she will explain the tasks that will be assigned during the test and will observe all aspects of your performance and grade you accordingly.
The oral test may be administered along with the practical test, or it may be given separately, before or after the practical test. The examiner will not attempt to trick or mislead you in any way with his/her oral questions or project assignments. Any questions or assignments that you do not understand should be clarified before answering the question or attempting the project.
Evaluating Your Performance Your performance will be evaluated by the examiner on the basis of knowledge, accuracy, and proficiency displayed during the test. In evaluating performance the principle characteristic that will be considered is the quality of the end product. Other characteristics that will be considered include:
1. Your approach to the project - did you obtain, use, and correctly interpret information available to perform the task?
2. Your skill in handling tools and use of the proper tool for the assigned task.
3. The care you take in protecting parachute parts from damage during handling.
4. Your proficiency in packing and inspecting parachutes.
5. The manner in which you complete the required forms and records.
6. Your understanding and application of the FAR's.
Oral Test Questions Oral test questions cover the same subjects as the written tests and are intended to show how well you can make use of your knowledge. The oral test questions fall generally into three types: (1) questions closely related to assigned projects - to further explore your understanding of the tasks being performed,
(2) questions not related to a specific project - to evaluate your ability in areas in which a skill practical, snin demonstration is not practical, and (3) questions to determine whether additional projects need to be assigned. The following list of questions may be helpful for reviewing the results of your study. Many of them may suggest other areas for additional study.
A. PACKING PARACHUTES
1. What general sequence of operations is followed when packing a parachute?
2. How can the correct procedure for packing a parachute be determined?
What sequence of operations is normally followed to remove twists and tangles from a parachute canopy, suspension lines, and harness?
4. In what position would an attached harness be when a parachute is laid out for packing?
5. During the preparation of a parachute for packing, when is the skirt hem of a canopy usually straightened?
6. What determines the width of the canopy folds when packing a parachute?
7. How can the order of stowing lines in the line holders be determined.
8. How is a parachute pack usually sealed after being packed?
9. What is the purpose of temporary locking pins used during parachute packing?
10. What type of safety tie is used when sealing a packed parachute?
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11. Name some packing practices which could contribute to a delay in pilot parachute ejection.
12. What information is given on the stamped panel of a canopy?
13. What type of knot is used to secure the pilot parachute to the canopy apex?
14. What is the reason for disconnecting the apex of the parachute from the packing table tension device during packing?
15. What are the reasons for using a ripcord housing and having it properly attached to the pack and harness?
16. How are the suspension lines attached to the riser links?
17. What are pack-opening elastics or spring bands?
18. What is the purpose of the safety thread and lead seal used to seal a packed parachute?
19. To which pin of a ripcord is the seal attached?
20. What is the maximum permitted ripcord pull force?
21. How does a certificated parachute rigger identify his/her work or packing?
22. Which pin of a ripcord is number one?
23. What method is effective to temporarily shorten the suspension lines of an unpacked parachute to prevent tangling of the lines?
24. What are the requirements for drying and airing parachutes prior to packing?
25. What types of pilot parachutes are in common use?
26. What is the purpose of the suspension line loops in a parachute pack assembly?
27. How are the release pins of a ripcord normally attached to the cable?
28. What action should be taken if a flaw is discovered in a parachute canopy during inspection for packing?