BPA - Approved Packing Syllabus

GUIDELINES FOR OBTAINING AN APPROVED PACKING CERTIFICATE

Aim

The aim of this system is to allow parachutists to pack main parachutes and/or student front mount reserve parachutes abiding by BPA requirements and the training given prior to certification.

Duration

The time taken to qualify for an approved packing certificate is very flexible and will be by arrangement between candidates and coaches, followed by an examination and subsequent qualification for each system that a test has been taken on.

Trainers & Certification Instructors

• Training may be carried out by anyone with the appropriate packing certificate or packing/rigging qualification, authorised by the CCI.
• At least a BPA category system instructor (CSI) or Parachute Rigger (PR) may certify candidates.
• Certification for round reserve parachutes in front mounted containers may only be carried out by at least an Advanced Instructor (AI) or Advanced Rigger (AR)

Qualifications to attend the Approved Packer course

• Must be a full BPA Member

Training Syllabus

• Assembly of component parts
• Clear system of lines twists and tangles
• Line sequence checks
• Packing demo and practice
• Inspection techniques

• BPA manual requirements
• Replace closure loops & elastic bands
• Equipment (container/canopy) compatibility

Test

• When the candidate is confident in his/her packing ability he/she may ask for a packing test
• For front mount reserve parachutes, the candid should have completed a minimum of four supervised re-packs on the equipment concerned and been familiarised with current manufacturers and BPA requirements concerning equipment
• Upon completion of the test, successful candidates will be awarded with an approved packing certificate (form 111) for the equipment they have been tested on. They will have this signed up on their approved packing certificate.

Limitations of work

Approved packing certificate holders are cleared for all assembly, inspection and packing as noted on their approved packing certificate, BPA form 111.

General Information

• Sets of BPA safety notices and safety information bulletins available from the BPA office, (these should be kept by all CCI’s and riggers).
• Front mounted reserve packers should have a copy of the BPA reserve packing guide.
• Once the conditions have been complied with and the specific types of parachutes and assemblies have been recorded overleaf on Form 111, the form must be sent to the BPA for recording and endorsement. Once it has been returned, subsequent endorsements to this certificate for additional types do not require to be referred to the BPA.