military rigger

[usmcrigger 0]

hey can anyone help,
I am a military rigger (hence the username). i am extremely interested in getting my faa rigger ticket. i read "so you want to be a rigger" and was not to clear on the military rigger section. do i still have to take the practical and oral portion or do i have to only take the written test. i am stationed in southern cali and am wondering if there are any riggers out there willing to help me get into the civilian side of this gig. hey thanks to anyone in advanced

I will be sure, always

SEMPER FI

[Hooknswoop 19]

Here is the complete FAR pertaining to military riggers. As long as you meet the requiremnts, only the written test is required.

"14 CFR - CHAPTER I - PART 65

§ 65.117 Military riggers or former military riggers: Special certification rule.

In place of the procedure in § 65.115, an applicant for a senior parachute rigger certificate is entitled to it if he passes a written test on the regulations of this subpart and presents satisfactory documentary evidence that he --

(a) Is a member or civilian employee of an Armed Force of the United States, is a civilian employee of a regular armed force of a foreign country, or has, within the 12 months before he applies, been honorably discharged or released from any status covered by this paragraph;

(b) Is serving, or has served within the 12 months before he applies, as a parachute rigger for such an Armed Force; and

(c) Has the experience required by § 65.115(a)."

Hope this helps,

Derek

[usmcrigger 0]

thanks man that answers my question perfectly

I will be sure, always

SEMPER FI

[Hooknswoop 19]

To clarify ( I edited "So, you want to be a rigger" already), a military rigger (that meets the requirements) only has to pass a written test on the FAR's, not the entire Senior Parachute Rigger written test.

Derek

[riggerrob 643]

If you are smart, you will work for a civilian loft for a few weeks to learn the finer points of packing skydiving gear.
Try calling Scott Christianson (sp?) at Adventure Sports Loft in Perris, California or Edge at Skydive San Diego. Edge is a retired Marine, so he might be more sympathetic.
The FAA Designated Parachute Rigger Examiner in Perris is Annie Helliwell (Basic Research) and it is rumoured that the FAA also has a DPRE in San Diego County. You are not legally bound to deal with these people (i.e. military riggers do not need the oral or practical tests), but it is wise to get on their good side.
You also might want to attend some of the monthly Riggers' Interest Group (RIG) meetings held in the Perris and Elsinore area.

[JohnnyD 0]

Quote

or Edge at Skydive San Diego. Edge is a retired Marine

Edge moved to Alaska.

[usmcrigger 0]

riggerrob,

thanks alot man any and all advice is appreciated and taken seriously on this end. do you think that it is wise to use this route to get into actually skydiving

I will be sure, always

SEMPER FI

[rigging65 0]

Military rigging and sport rigging are very different. We've taught several very skilled military riggers to rig on sport gear, and they all say that it's pretty damn different.

The best single way to gain skills is to spend some quality time with someone who knows what they're doing. In this case, a sport rigger. If you can find someone close to you to work with, you'll be stoked in the end.

"...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..."

[nightjumps 1]

Quote

Military rigging and sport rigging are very different. We've taught several very skilled military riggers to rig on sport gear, and they all say that it's pretty damn different.

But they do learn the discipline of detail and the knowledge of referencing manuals.

[usmcrigger 0]

thanks for the advice, but i am trained in ram air flat pack and pro pack, main and reserve, but i do plan on getting some experience with some civilian rigging before getting to involved

I will be sure, always

SEMPER FI

[rigging65 0]

Quote

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Military rigging and sport rigging are very different. We've taught several very skilled military riggers to rig on sport gear, and they all say that it's pretty damn different.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


But they do learn the discipline of detail and the knowledge of referencing manuals.

Please don't misunderstand, I'm not in any way denying that military riggers are very capable of paying attention to detail and using manuals...it's just that sport gear is often quite different than the military equivalent.

I'm sure that pretty much any military rigger out there could easily get the hang of sport rigging, but it's always nice to have someone who's "been there" show them the tricks and introduce them to the different rig/canopy/AAD models. Just because it's a square canopy and a piggyback container doesn't mean it's all the same.

I know that the Air Force, Marine, Army and Coast Guard riggers that we've had come through our programs were very adept at what they did in the service, but the square experience that they had was pretty basic and was certainly not up to par for the sport industry. They just needed some fine tuning, then they were off to the racers in fine style!

I'm a Master Parachute rigger and manage the busiest loft in Northern California...but there is no way I would walk into a military loft and expect to be proficient at the systems they use right off the bat. Familiarity is always a great partner, especially in this job!

"...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..."

[usmcrigger 0]

dont get me wrong i am in no way claiming to know hardly anything about sport rigs just pointing out that i have a strong base to build on. love and peace

I will be sure, always

SEMPER FI

[rigging65 0]

...and I'm betting that strong base and a few days of tuning-up is all you're going to need to have the basics of sport rigging down. Best of luck, and welcome to the "other side" of the show.

"...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..."