Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Master Parachute Rigger

Credential: Master Parachute Rigger  GI Bill resource
Credentialing Agency: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Master Parachute Rigger is an upper-level certification. Master Parachute Riggers perform major repairs and alterations on the reserve and harness-and-container system within manufacturers' guidelines on parachutes for which he/she is rated for. The Master Parachute Rigger certification has four type ratings: seat; back; chest; and lap. Master Parachute Riggers also supervise other persons in packing, maintaining, or altering any type of parachute for which the certificated parachute rigger is rated for. Candidates must meet FAA's age, experience, knowledge, and skill requirements to be eligible for the exam. Candidates must pass a written, oral, and practical exam.

More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.

Master Parachute Rigger

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Attainability:    medium

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

  • Credential Prerequisite
  • Experience: 3 years
  • Education
  • Training
  • Membership
  • Other
  • Fee

Note: This credential may have multiple options for a Service member to meet eligibility requirements. Requirements listed here are based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.

Exam Requirements (View Details)

  • Exam
  • Written Exam
  • Oral Exam
  • Practical Exam
  • Performance Assessment

Exam Administration (View Details)

  • In-person exam
  • Remote proctored on-line exam
  • Third-party test vendor

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

800 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC  20591

Phone: (866) 835-5322

Contact Page

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Candidate must have at least three years of experience as a parachute rigger and have satisfactorily packed at least 100 parachutes of each of two types in common use, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions:

  • While a certified and appropriately rated senior parachute rigger; or
  • While under the supervision of a certified and appropriately rated parachute rigger or a person holding appropriate military ratings.
Note: If a candidate is not the holder of a senior parachute rigger certification, he/she must pass a written exam with respect to parachutes in common use on: construction, packing, and maintenance; manufacturer's instructions; and Code of Federal Regulations §65.119.

The Master Parachute Rigger credential has the following other requirements:

  • Candidate must be at least 18 years of age and be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language.

Written Exam

  • Certification
    • Experience requirements
    • Skill requirements
    • Type ratings
    • Test requirements
    • Adding type ratings
  • Privileges, Limitations, and Operating Rules
    • Certificate privileges
    • Facilities and equipment
    • Performance standards
    • Records
    • Pack sealing
    • Parachute repair
    • Parachute alteration
    • Intentional parachute jumping
  • Packing Parachutes
    • Requirements
    • Preparation
    • Inspection
    • Folding and stowing
    • Closing, finishing, and sealing
  • Parachute Operation and Care
    • Function of parts and assemblies
    • Handling and storage
    • Airing and drying
    • Safety practices
    • Forces acting on a parachute
  • Parachute Construction Details
    • Pilot parachute
    • Main canopy
    • Container
    • Release devices
    • Suspension lines
    • Harness
    • Parachute hardware
    • Parachute specifications
  • Parachute Repair
    • Repair standards
    • Canopy repair
    • Harness repair
    • Miscellaneous repairs
    • Sewing and stitching
    • Sewing machines
    • Hardware repair
    • Cleaning parachutes
    • Container repair
  • Parachute Alteration
    • Alteration standards
    • Canopy alteration
    • Harness alteration
    • Hardware alteration
    • Container alteration

Oral Exam Requirement

  • Oral test questions cover the same subjects as the written tests and are intended to show how well a candidate can make use of the knowledge. The oral test questions fall generally into three types: 

    • Questions closely related to assigned projects - to further explore the candidate's understanding of the tasks being performed.
    • Questions not related to a specific project - to evaluate a candidate's ability in areas in which a skill demonstration is not practical.
    • Questions to determine whether additional projects need to be assigned.

Practical Exam

  • Packing Parachutes
    • Identify and select tools, equipment, and technical information
    • Open the pack
    • Lay out the parachute
    • Inspect the parachute
    • Fold and stow the parachute
    • Close, finish, and seal the pack
  • Maintaining Parachutes
    • Restitch canopy seams
    • Darn a small snag or tear
    • Patch a canopy section
    • Repair a torn radial seam
    • Replace pocket bands or V-tabs
    • Restitch or replace pack opening spring bands
    • Install snap fasteners on a parachute pack
    • Intall grommets
    • Install locking cones on a parachute pack
    • Install a slide fastener
    • Install hook eyes on a parachute pack
    • Operate a standard sewing machine
    • Repair an upper or lower lateral band
    • Replace a canopy gore section or panel
    • Replace a suspension line

Exam Preparation Resources

There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Master Parachute Rigger examination:

An additional resource is O'Reilly Learning Safari Books Online, a searchable digital library that provides online access to thousands of books, training videos and conference sessions. See the Educational Resources section on the Related Sites page here on COOL to learn how to get free access.

Testing Information

  • Exam Administration

    Credential exams may be administered in-person at a testing site, proctored on-line remotely, or have options for both. If an exam is administered through a test vendor, the third-party test vendor box will be checked. The following test administration options apply to the Master Parachute Rigger credential where checked:

    • In-person exam
    • Remote proctored on-line exam
    • Third-party test vendor

  • For more information on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) testing process, visit the agency website.

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand. The U.S. Department of Labor sponsored CareerOneStop's analysis indicates the certification is frequently mentioned in online job postings.

Click for external link to CareerOneStop's Credentials Center.

COOL Bucks

See your installation Education Service Officer for credential exam information and coordinating instructions.

COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the military occupation (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

CA Eligible

This certification is eligible for CA.

Star

Star credentials are MOS enhancing, as designated by the Proponent. MOS enhancing credentials are directly related to an MOS or ASI, are taught either partially or completely as part of a Program of Instruction (POI), and improves the MOS technical proficiency.

Skill Level

The Skill Level reflects the level, based on MOS training and/or experience, the Soldier should be the most prepared to successfully earn the credential. See the Table Legend for details about each level.

Navy Bucks

Credential voucher or reimbursement for credential exam, re-certification, or maintenance fee has been approved for payment through the Navy's Credential Program Office. To get a voucher request form, click Menu at the top of any page, then click "2 Complete Voucher and Apply" under Credentialing Steps.

CG Bucks

Current Coast Guard policy states all credentials listed on CG COOL may be reimbursed assuming the enlisted service member meets the eligibility requirements as outlined in the Coast Guard Voluntary Credentialing Program Policy (COMDTINST 1540.1(series))

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted E1 through E4

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E5 through E6

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E7 through E9

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted “A” School through E5

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E6 through E7

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E8 through E9

Early Career

1-6 years experience; Officer O1 through O2

Mid Career

6-12 years experience; Officer O3 through O5

Late Career

12+ years experience; Officer O6 and Above

GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

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ANAB (ANSI)

This credential has been accredited by ANAB (ANSI).

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ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC.

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ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC.

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NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA.

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IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS.

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Low

May be difficult to attain: minimum education requirement is a Bachelor's degree, and/or minimum experience is 10 or more years.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

Medium

Moderate ease of attainment: minimum education requirement = Associate's and/or prerequisite and/or minimum experience = more than 2 years and less than 10 years of experience.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

High

Highly attainable: minimum education requirement = HS or less and/or minimum experience = 2 years or less experience and no additional requirements.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty
AOC is Area Of Concentration Officer
Functional Area
Branch

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Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job

Registered Apprenticeship

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Updated: January 29, 2021
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