Welcome to Sky Science - Skydiving

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Welcome to Sky Science - Skydiving

Aim

The aim of this course is to qualify skydivers as Advanced Packers, allowing them to inspect and pack reserve parachute piggyback systems (excluding Tandem equipment) of the appropriate type according to the manufacturers' and associations instructions.

Note:

Course candidates can choose between an Advanced Packer Grade (S) or joint grade (S,R). The grade (S) qualification covers square reserves only. The grade (S,R) qualification covers rounds and squares. Tandem equipment is not covered by this course.

Course Duration

• The course is held over a minimum period of four days.
• The examination will not necessarily be at the end of the instruction period.

Candidate Qualifications

• Must be a full association Member
• Must hold a main parachute Packing Certificate

Course Instructors

Rigger Examiners, Advanced Riggers or Parachute Riggers who have held the rating for a minimum of two years may teach the course syllabus.

Advanced Riggers or Parachute Riggers are to run their first courses with a Rigger Examiner and must have attended a “Methods of Instruction” lecture on an Instructors course or be able to demonstrate good instructional experience and background

Course Examiners

Only Advanced Riggers cleared by the Riggers' Committee as above, or Rigger Examiners, can examine the final assessment phase

Establishments

• All courses are to be run in an environment with facilities suitable to teach and examine good Advanced Packing practices.

Initial Training Course Syllabus

1. Association Operations Manual requirements
2. Safety notices and information
3. Equipment compatibility and pack volume study
4. Documentation, including packing cards, inspection check lists and packing logs
5. Packing tools selection and safety requirements
6. General Rigging and assembly
7. Canopy and container inspection techniques and reports
8. Inspection of AAD and RSL installations
9. Contamination of materials including fabric tensile strength testing and acid mesh
10. AAD requirements
11. Closure loop replacements
12. Packing demo
13. Packing lessons and practice

Post Training Course Information

After successfully completing an Advanced Packer training course and prior to the examination, candidates will work under the direct supervision of a current Parachute Rigger or above. The supervising Parachute Rigger will countersign all the relevant paperwork and is responsible for all work carried out.

During the end of training course debrief, it is the responsibility of the instructing rigger to emphasis the importance of good coaching and lots of practice during the training period prior to the candidate attending the examination.

Examination Courses

When the candidate is confident in their packing ability they may attend the examination phase as below

Initial Exam Course - for (S) or (S, R) rating

• The examination will start with a written test and a review of the candidate's reserve packing log.
• Examination for an initial rating will consist of a minimum of four reserve repack tests.

For (S) rating only:
Four reserve inspection and repack tests with different types of equipment to include the following:
a) Complete assembly of a system from separate container and reserve canopy.
b) 1 AAD installation - no machine stitching required/allowed
c) 1 fitted with an RSL
d) 1 Pop Top type fitted with AAD
e) 2 with damaged closure loops including a pop top type

For (S,R) rating:
Four inspection and reserve repack tests with different types of equipment to include the following:
a) Complete assembly of a round system from separate container and reserve canopy.
b) Complete assembly of a square system from separate container and reserve canopy.
c) 2 round reserve inspection and repacks including one fitted with both Pop Top and AAD
d) 2 square reserve inspection and repacks including one fitted with both Pop Top and AAD
e) 1 AAD installation - no machine stitching required/allowed
f) 1 fitted with an RSL
g) 2 with damaged closure loops including a pop top type

Limitations of work

• Advanced Packers grade (S) are cleared for all assembly, inspection and reserve packing on square reserves, to include fitting AADs (except Tandem equipment)
• Advanced Packers Grade (R) are cleared for all assembly, inspection and reserve packing on round reserves, to include fitting AADs
• Advanced Packers are not cleared for any work that requires sewing machine stitching

Currency and Records

• Advanced Packers must keep a printed log of all reserves packed
• Advanced Packers must have their Membership card endorsed, to be renewed each year with membership
• The renewal form will be signed annually by an Advanced Rigger or Advanced Instructor who must be satisfied that the holder is current and up to date with the latest packing related developments and techniques.

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