How Does a Military Rigger Earn an FAA Certificate?
Q. I’m a military parachute rigger who would like to work on civilian parachutes. What do I need to do that? A. Riggers who work on parachutes that will be carried aboard U.S. aircraft must hold an FAA rigger’s certificate. Part 65 of the Federal Aviation Regulations describes the application procedures and requirements. Briefly, an applicant must have certain practical experience, and he or she must pass both a written and a practical exam. The application procedures are much easier for military riggers who are still in the service or who have been discharged within the preceding 12 months. After presenting a letter from their commanding officer that attests to their qualifications, military riggers take a 20-question test on the regulations. That’s it; see FAR 65.117. The military rigger who receives an FAA Senior Riggers certificate this way is legally entitled to inspect, pack and maintain civilian parachutes. But he or she still has a lot to learn about modern skydiving gear. Thir
