masterrigger1

It means basically the general public. Yes, I think I am different,not better,just different in the fact that I own and have read CAA Regulations and FAA regulations dated back from 1933 to present. And when you put all the pieces of the puzzles together it makes a lot more sense. I am saying people like you probably do not have these references at hand. I hope not either. But if you follow the regs (and not some fairy tale AC) and have conservative instead of possible liberal views of the regs you would be just fine. ....or better yet just get a master's certificate and problem solved. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

It should be scary to everyone. My strong opinions (which mostly you are referring to is the 65.111 Interpretation) which went on for over 7 years. I believe that my opinions actually turned into facts in that case. Did it not? The reason that it did is that other equally qualified riggers with the same opinion, pushed for a clarification, just not on this forum or your earshot. There are other people in the background just so you know, Since I cannot comment of the context, I can comment on the fact that will tell what I believe the truth is. Being a skydiver has nothing to do with it; being a rigger does. Well people like you need to review the regs and also review what is being written in the newer books because they do not match sometimes. It is easy for someone to accept a more liberal view of the regs. It is human nature, Also the "books" are also someone else's opinion, so keep that in mind. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Max, i know this is probably way out there for you, but..... this is the same machine that Rags uses at the Symposium.he just made a small folding table for it. It is just a straight stitch but is one of the best canopy machines IMHO out there. http://www.ebay.com/itm/201279168955?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2661&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT MEL ...and someone needs to get this machine. It is a great nail driver. It will sew 5 cord if needed, but will sew e thread just fine as well.It is a Singer 144W-10. It has a 10 inch throat. http://www.ebay.com/itm/131417949784?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Mark, From 8300.16 Appendix A Alter. To change or modify. With the combining of the Orders into 8100,8200,8300 and etc. It gets harder to find things anymore. Also, with the standardization of the Orders, all definitions are used across the board. This means aircraft, power plants and appliances are using the same definitions. In fact, the aircraft boys are now using the definition of supervision found in Part 105 (parachuting) for their legal interpretation. From Legal Clarification dated Sept.24,2001,page 8 Major alteration means an alteration not listed in the aircraft, aircraft engine, or propeller specifications— (1) That might appreciably affect weight, balance, structural strength, performance, powerplant operation, flight characteristics, or other qualities affecting airworthiness; or (2) That is not done according to accepted practices or cannot be done by elementary operations. Major repair means a repair: (1) That, if improperly done, might appreciably affect weight, balance, structural strength, performance, powerplant operation, flight characteristics, or other qualities affecting airworthiness; or (2) That is not done according to accepted practices or cannot be done by elementary operations. Another reference: http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/rulemaking/committees/documents/media/agamcmmt1-010594.pdf Order 8300.16 http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/8300_16.pdf Also note that the ASI is the person that is tasked with making the determinations (or supposed to be) in regard to major or minor repairs; not the Certificate Holder. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Mark, Any change to the original manufacturerrd configuration is considered an alteration by the FAA's own definition. I would say that is an alteration and also a modification! MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Thanks, I missed it. So there you have it. Directions from a manufacturer telling a senior rigger that he can legally do master rigger work. No where in Part 65 Rigging) allows a manufacturer to do that. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Again, They cannot legally authorize a Senior rigger to do Master Rigger work. They may state it all day long, but they do not have the authority to "certify" you beyond your certificate privileges if you will. Think of it this way, Cessna tells a A&P that he can do an inspection to place back in service one of their aircraft. Is he legal to do it? That answer would be a no! But it sure would make the aircraft more attractable to the general public would it not? Yes I do, but the opinions are mine and numerous other old farts to be exact. We went though this with the Javelin RSL. Dig up that thread. I am tired of typing.... But to answer your statement, the senior cannot do major repairs or alterations no matter what a SB says unless they are under supervision of a qualified rigger that holds the applicable certificate. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Actually, they can state anything they want, but you have to realize if it is something that you can or cannot do. Again they cannot tell you (legally) that you can do work outside of your certificate. Here's another angle on it: (disclaimer:Just for reference) http://www.unitedparachutetechnologies.com/PDF/Support/Product%20Service%20Bulletins/PSB_2013205.pdf In this document, I believe there is not an exact statement as to what type of rigger can do the work or even the limitations of same said rigger. This is because the rigs sometimes are not in our country and therefore not subject to our rules, so they simply state "rigger". But in this country, a very liberal Senior rigger would mistakenly deduct that he or she could legally do the work. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

You could not be more correct. The problem is that MOST of the FSDO's do not care about us. The other side of the problem is that lawyers do take an interest. But at the end of the day, in court, the prosecuting attorney asks "Are you, as a Senior Rigger, allowed to do repairs that affect airworthiness?" You answer "NO" The next question would be "Was the deceased's parachute airworthy when the repair that you did failed and killed him?" or "Was the line set that you installed incorrectly really airworthy when it collapsed?" Better safe than sorry I guess. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

OK Many of them think wrong. Heck, half of them never knew that supervised reserve pack jobs were illegal. The other half (or more) used to build Non-TSO'd gear(knowly) and sell it.... MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

First, A manufacturer cannot extend privileges to a person that does not own them by the FAA. It is the responsibility of the individual to stay within the confines of the certificate that he or she holds. In other words, a similar instance would be like a barkeeper or bartender telling a customer it is OK to drive home drunk... MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Mark, In the onset of the re-write, I along with several others that opposed what you had in the draft (which I still have BTW) submitted our rebuttals and never heard a peep from you guys. I was a member at the time, then bailed mostly because of the lack of response from you guys. I then joined again and which I am still a member. Enough said. I will leave it until the Symposium. Also, I did just send you an email though. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Lee, They are exactly the same. The only difference would be a non-national using their own gear or the US Military. The rules apply to everyone else. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Bill, I have 4 complete, airworthy PC's here if some one wants to jump one let me know and I will go through them. I think they all have R-3's on them though. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

This is some of the bullcrap Mark and Sandy Reid had their hand in behind closed doors. It also is not regulatory and they knew it when they tried to "go-around" the regs. Regulations trump the AC BTW.... We are working on removing it now also. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

The Poynter's Manual is not mistake free either.This is vivid proof and it also is not regulatory document. Your claim is that the FAA has two sets of standards. One for Mains and the other for reserves which is not true. They have only one set of standards which divides between major and minor repairs and who can do each or both.There is no distinction between a main parachute or a certified one. It just states "parachutes". Also, show us in the regulations where we can find where it states otherwise. You probably need to reread the document that I attached earlier. In no exaggerated manner does it state that a manufacturer is exempt from the rule. That rule applies to everyone. But you are correct on the QA part. Again, read the rule. ...or me which is actually looking like that will be the case. I have been subpoenaed in a pending case which actually has this exact content. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

I'm thinking it would not be in there for months, but I could be wrong. Yep, but he does not have to fill it up. He can simply oil the wicks when he uses it. The oil pan would act as a contained drip pan that would not spill. He was just using a Consew 7630 which is a self oiler. He did pretty well with that machine BTW.I know that he has no room for the industrial table, but again he could make a portable setup like Rags uses at the Symposium. Just saying...... MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

A manufacturer is required to follow the rules because the regs state that ANYONE (manufacturer or not) be a rigger or under the direct supervision of one to work on parachutes. ....And the rated person has to hold the appropriate certificate to do the work at hand. This is the reason there is at least one Master rigger at every manufacturer's location. I have attached the rule for you. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Absolutely! Actually, that reference is a bad one. It lists certain major repairs as minor repairs. If you follow that reference a senior is led to believe he or she can legally work outside of their certificate. For Michael: A Senior rigger is a basic, beginning rigger. It is easier to list what you can do that what you cannot do. Basically you can assemble , inspect and pack parachutes, install simple patches not involving a seam (or even in the close proximity of a seam), replace Velcro, replace BOC pouches, replace grommets, and install AAD's that already have the provided pouches,etc. That pretty much sums it up. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Terry, I guess I disagree with you on the self oilers. To me the self oilers make really good machines. They are usually high speed machines, but you can tone them down with a #614 pulley and a 1725 rpm motor or use a servo motor. With regards to the wicks that do not oil the machine, the fix is simple. Just oil the wick manually. This method "primes" the wick and is a common practice for machine that have been sitting or not used for an extended period of time. One other thing that most people miss or forget is that every time the bobbin thread is changed out, you should clean the hook area and place 1 drop of machine oil on the hook race. This applies to the self oilers as well. This makes the hook have a lot longer life in the machine. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Max, Here you go: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Singer-401A-Slant-O-Matic-Sewing-Machine-With-Extras-/181657068599?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a4b9ae437 ...Not a scratch on it from what I see, Also, you can put a Singer 143W in a portable case and use a small motor like the home machines use to do light stuff. Or you could make a two piece portable cabinet; one for the machine and the other piece with a light servo motor.You could attach them together when you need the machine. If fact, the servo motor could just hang on the back of the machine itself with hooks. Just a thought..... Just stay away from the plastic machines! MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Walt, Actually,my tool is probably the 10th or better iteration. I personally have seen that many different versions of this concept. The one that is closest to my Tool is from France and I saw that one about 5 years ago. Thanks for the kudos and will catch up with you at Daytona, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Well. I like wood because it just looks really good if finished correctly. Also, closed grain oak is about as tough as anything. Cost is higher than aluminum though.... MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Which one?!! Heck buy them all..... MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Yes, but not on this forum. You can PM me or call the shop. Thanks, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com