Master Parachute Rigger
Credential: Master Parachute Rigger
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:
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
Experience REQUIREMENTS
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.
Other REQUIREMENTS
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.
- Candidate must submit FAA Form 8610-2.
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:
-
Best Sources
- Code of Federal Regulations - Master Parachute Rigger
- FAA - Order 8900.1 - Flight Standards Information Management System (FSIMS)
- FAA - Practical Test Standards (PTS)
- Parachute Rigger Application - FAA Form 8610-2
- Parachute Rigger Practical Test Standards
- Parachute Rigger Sample Questions
- Parachute Rigger Senior/Master Certification Guide
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.
-
Third-Party Test Vendor Information
Testing for this credential is handled by the following vendor:
PSI
The test centers are located in the U.S.
To find out more, use the following links on the PSI website: