The aim of this course is to qualify people 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 BPA instructions.
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. To upgrade from rating (S) to rating (S,R) a conversion exam is required as described below. A single (R) rating for rounds only is not possible. Tandem equipment is not covered by this course.
• The course is held over a minimum period of four days.
• The examination will not necessarily be at the end of the instruction period.
• Must be a full BPA Member
• Must hold a BPA approved packing certificate and have been a BPA member
for at least 18 month
• Rigger Examiners, Advanced Riggers or Parachute Riggers who
have held the rating for a minimum of two years may teach the course syllabus.
• Maximum of three candidates per instructor; with all instructors present
and available during all teaching and practice sessions
N.B. 1 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 a BPA instructors course or be able to demonstrate good instructional experience and background
N.B. 2 On completion of the first course with a Rigger Examiner, the course report will include a recommendation or otherwise for the PR/AR to run future courses. This will be submitted to the riggers committee, for the BPA office to record on the list of those qualified to run advanced packing courses
Only Advanced Riggers cleared by the riggers committee as above, or Rigger Examiners, can examine the final assessment phase
• All courses are to be run in an environment with facilities suitable to
teach and examine good advanced packing practices.
• BPA affiliated clubs wishing to run advanced packer courses must notify
the BPA office at least 14 days prior to the course. The BPA riggers committee
will be informed of the course(s) at the next meeting.
• Those wishing to run a course at a location other than BPA affiliated clubs
must apply to the riggers committee for permission, giving details of facilities
etc.
• All courses must be held under current BPA requirements and guidelines.
For the rating types chosen:
1. BPA 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
After successfully completing an advanced packer training course and prior to the examination, candidates will work under the direct supervision of a current BPA Parachute Rigger or above. The supervising Parachute Rigger will countersign all the relevant paperwork and is responsible for all work carried out.
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When the candidate is confident in their packing ability they may attend the examination phase as below
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.
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.
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
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
• The examination will start with a written test for the round rating and
a review of the candidate's reserve packing log for round reserves.
• Final examination for the conversion course will consist of a minimum of
two round reserve inspection and repack tests. These tests will be with different
types of equipment to include at least the following:
a) A complete assembly of a round system from separate container and reserve
canopy.
b) 1 Pop Top fitted with an AAD
• A completed form number 175 must be submitted to the BPA office and the
riggers committee on completion of the initial training course.
• Following the examination phase, BPA forms 175 and 208 must be submitted
to the BPA office and the riggers committee. These must be sent by the examining
rigger and will include the AP grade that the candidate has been awarded.
• 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
• Advanced Packers must keep a printed log of all reserves packed
• Advanced Packers must have their BPA 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.
