When to get in to Rigging

[nbblood 0]

First of all, sorry if this has been posted before, but I haven't seen anything lately and I'm looking for fresh opinions.

I'm trying to decide whether or not I'm ready to get into rigging. I've only been in the sport for about 3 years and I only have 250 jumps. I'm around for the long haul and want to get more involved in the sport. I want to make myself more marketable for a DZ in the future. I'm already pursuing my coach rating and planning a course for other ratings, but I'm also very interested in rigging.

I study and read a lot about gear and rigging and feel I'm pretty knowledgeable for my experience level. I also routinely ask questions and observe work that riggers do. But, I realize this is a big step with lots of responsibility and I don't want to be a rigger that doesn't know what they're talking about. Before I attempt to attain a rigger certificate, I want to be overprepared. There's so much I don't know now.

So, my question(s) is/are, when is an appropriate time to get into rigging and what should I be doing now to prepare myself for achieving this goal?

I'm not in any rush and I'm willing to spend the time, effort and $$ to get it right. I realize there is a lot of overhead in time and $$ to get it right and that's what I want to do. What is a reasonable timeframe to make a goal for the rigger's course? Thanks for your input.

Blues,
Nathan

Blues,
Nathan

If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

[PhreeZone 20]

So you want to be a rigger...

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[f1shlips 2]

I have about the same amount of experience as you and I took DeWolf's course this winter. I came into the course with 0 minutes sewing time and 0 reserve pack jobs. I worked on studying poytner's and was comfortable enough to pass the written before I got there.

I think if you have 0 skydives and ~100 main pack jobs you are capable. The hardest part of the course was trying to pack up all 20 reserves in such a short amount of time. I found sewing to be intimidating at first, but fairly easy to get the basics.

Be realistic, earning a Senior Rigger rating only gets you in the started, mastering it takes a while.

--
drop zone (drop'zone) n. An incestuous sesspool of broken people. -- Attributed to a whuffo girlfriend.

[rigging65 0]

It's never too early to get into rigging, if you're interested. I started rigging when I had about 30 jumps. It's amazing how much it helps your skydiving as well!

It's all about learning and being safe. More information is always good. And don't forget, just because you get a rigger's ticket doesn't mean you have to be packing for everyone out there. Start out slow, packing for some friends and yourself, learning and perfecting your skills. Then go a bit bigger and learn some more. It's a gradual process, it takes time, but it's worth it!

"...and once you had tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward.
For there you have been, and there you long to return..."

[mjosparky 4]

It is never to early, if you are interested. As Rigging65 posted, it takes time to acquire the skills and knowledge, the more time the better your skills will become and the more knowledge you will have. You will never learn it all, but can continue to learn as long as you look and listen. It can be enjoyable and rewarding. I wish you luck and success.
Sparky

My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals

[Shivon 0]

Nathan,

I would say that you are ready now. Two of the things I personally value in riggers are competency and good attitudes. You seem to have the right attitude, and competency will follow in time. The next step would be to get some mentoring / support from an experienced rigger, and break out the books. Good luck!

[seal_S49 0]

Quote

when is an appropriate time to get into rigging and what should I be doing now to prepare myself for achieving this goal?

For a motivated individual like yourself, the time is now.

You'll need these books to get started: Poynter's Parachute Manuals I & II, Study Guide for the FAA written, and Parachute Riggers Course Study Guide. You'll collect many more manuals along the way but these first few are must-haves. There is an "art" to interpreting and understanding instruction manuals.

Everyday access to a sewing machine is a luxury. The folks who only get sewing experience on the weekend at the DZ are at a disadvantage. One of the best investments I made was a cheap used portable machine to use at home. I spent hours on my own learning how to use it. I still have it (along with several others now) and even used it the other day to patch a big student canopy. Most any household machine will handle E-thread and F-111 doesn't require much torque.

If you're like most of us who pro-pack our mains, learn how to flat pack. Before anybody jumps on this comment, I don't advocate flat packing exclusively. I'm only saying that this knowledge will help you. I personally like doing line continuity checks & assembly with the canopy stacked on it's side. There are some mfrs that specify flat packing and my favorite method is a flat pro pack for reserves. This experience will help you, especially if the DPRE hands you an owners manual that specifies flat packing.

Your most important asset will be a rigger who is committed to help you. You'll never be able to repay him/her, but try anyway.

The skydiving community will thank you someday.

S49

[koz2000 1]

Nathan,
If you come back to the Bragg area, you should hook up with the sport activities club. Greg (the guy who runs the riggers loft) has trained a ton of riggers. Even if you go ahead and get your ticket, you could have access every type of sewing machine, and access to about every rig out there (even the reflex, racer, tear-drop..) Plus Greg's got about 4000 reserve packs and has observed several more. There are about 5 other very experienced riggers that float in and out of the loft, so between all of them, you'll pick up some pretty good techniques to make your pack jobs look really good.

D

______________________________________________
- Does this small canopy make my balls look big? - J. Hayes -

[OnYourBack 0]

There was a guy in my class that had 1 tandem. He had a lot to learn and struggled alot but he passed.

[masterrig 1]

With all your enthusiasm... git after it! Check into one of the rigging schools, like Dave DeWolf's or Sandy Reids. There is also one in Indiana and Missouri and other places. They may 'seem' expensive, but, they are well worth it. The best of luck to you!

Chuck

[riddler 0]

Keep in mind that there are plenty of riggers that don't jump and I've heard of one or two that have never made a skydive. If you like gear and tools, then I would say go for it now. I'm in the process now, and understanding the gear has already made me a more confident skydiver.

Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

[BlindBrick 0]

I celebrated passing my rigging practicals by making my 50th jump. If you have a good instructor you don't have to know anything about parachutes(but it sure helps). When I began my rigging training I didn't even know how to pack a main.

-Blind.

"If you end up in an alligator's jaws, naked, you probably did something to deserve it."

[BlindBrick 0]

Quote

With all your enthusiasm... git after it! Check into one of the rigging schools, like Dave DeWolf's or Sandy Reids. There is also one in Indiana and Missouri and other places. They may 'seem' expensive, but, they are well worth it. The best of luck to you!

Chuck

The one in Missouri is run by Bob "Feisty" Feisthammel. IIRC, my tools and training with Fiesty were just under $2000(including tools and books but not testing). The great thing with Fiesty's program is that it's not on a set schedule. You progress at the pace that is right for you. My friend that was a packer and had 10 reserve packs finished it in under four weekends while it took me closer to twelve. Despite that difference, there was no extra charge for the extra time Fiesty spent with me. Plus Fiesty is very strict and old school, you can be be sure that by the time you leave his class that you've been trained to the point where meerly meeting FAA standards is considered "shoddy".

-Blind

"If you end up in an alligator's jaws, naked, you probably did something to deserve it."

[masterrig 1]

I worked under a rigger like that! Took me 3-yrs. (long story) and I have no idea how many week-end trips to Abilene. I went for my Masters at Sandy Reid's class in Eloy. Very intense and long days. I learned a great deal. Sandy is a real 'stickler' for detail and doesn't miss a trick. I feel, he has an excellent program. Seems as though, from what I've heard, all the schools are good. Depends on which one is closest and affordable.

Chuck

[nbblood 0]

Thanks all, for the replies. Now I'm even more motivated. Lots of useful info here. I gotta get to work.

Blues,
Nathan

Blues,
Nathan

If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute.

[riggerrob 643]

Sounds like you are ready now.
Number of jumps is irrelevant.
Heck! The US Air Force has thousands of riggers who have never jumped.
he keys are curiousity and attention to detail.
I just returned home from teaching a CSPA Rigger A course in Kamloops, BC. The Canadian minimum pre-level is a B Certificate and 10 reserve pack jobs under supervision.
The B Certificate requirement just ensures that candidates have packed a bunch of mains and are familiar with popular skydiving gear. Canadian rigger instructors do not want to start the course at "zero."
The 10 repacks before the course are also waiverable. Hint, the two candidates who struggled the most during practical exams had the fewest practice pack jobs before the course.
The other point is that sometimes rigger instructors will cut candidates some slack on the minimum 10 repacks if they demonstrate above average book learning. For example, I arrived at my Rigger A course (1984) with too few reserve pack jobs, but I was the only candidate who had read Poynter's Manual cover-to-cover. I aced the theoretical exam and struggled with the practical exam.