Course and Testing Information

For gear owners.  Six hours of instruction on packing and maintaining YOUR rig.  Wear points and packing specifics. Navigating your parachute owner manual.  Operating your AAD.  Getting the most from your packer and rigger.  Participants earn an Advanced Equipment Specialist Certificate.

Pre-requisite:  Rig ownership, USPA skydiving license, and basic main parachute packing skills. Limited to 6 candidates.

 Two 6-hour days based on the Parachute Industry Association (PIA) Rigging Committee course for career-oriented main parachute packers (MPPs) packing under FAA rigger supervision.  Details PIA TS105 standards for main parachute inspection.  Includes training on a variety of of popular sport rigs and tandem systems, the rules of rigging, topics in management and professionalism.  Prepares candidates for a rewarding and profitable position on the drop zone. 

Pre-requisite: Ability to pack a main parachute system in common use in under 20 minutes and USPA Group Member drop zone reference.  Limited to 4 candidates.

 Pre-requisite for the Senior Rigger Course.  Two 6-hour days on how to inspect and pack a reserve parachute (your first of the required 20).  Industrial sewing machine operation-- you actually learn to sew!  Demonstration and discussion of materials, hardware, and rigging loft processes.  Introduction to books, downloads, manuals, and other resources.  Overview of the FAA rules and certification process.  How to navigate the examinations.  Counts as the first two days of the full rigger certification course if continuing within 60 days.

Pre-requisite:  Advanced Equipment Pre-Rigger Course

 This is a comprehensive rigging course leading to an FAA Senior Rigger certificate with Back Type rating.  Preparation to test for the FAA Senior Rigger certificate to pack sport reserves and pilot (back) emergency parachutes.  Flexible schedule, typically 17-19 working days total, including exam (testing fees not included).  Can be scheduled as a group or Individually.  Includes a basic rigger toolkit worth approximately $400.  

Prerequisite: Advanced Equipment - Pre-Rigger Course.

Added rating(s) to Back Type initial rating course: Chest Type, $850; Seat Type, $985 

 This is a complete FAA Rigger Certification course limited to packing and maintaining Airborne-style chest-mounted emergency parachutes.  Professional main packers seeking an FAA certificate for main packing contracts may wish to consider this rating.  Flexible schedule, typically 9-10 working days total, including exam (testing fees not included).  Can be scheduled as a group or Individually.  Includes a basic rigger toolkit worth approximately $400.  

Prerequisite: Advanced Equipment - Complete the Rahlmo's Rigging Advanced Equipment Pre-Rigger Course.

Added rating(s) to Chest Type initial rating course: Back Type (5-10 days), $1,950; Seat Type (5-6 days), $985 

 This course is designed for a Senior Rigger with a Chest Type or Seat Type rating who wants to add a Back Type rating to an existing Senior Rigger certificate.  Uncertificated military riggers or FAA-certificated riggers with military-only experience who are interested in sport-reserve packing may also take this course.  Course is 5-10 days, based on prior experience.  Course teaches packing and maintaining piggyback and pilot emergency equipment.  Preparation for the FAA oral and practical exam for an added rating (testing fees not included in course fee).

  This is completion training for the candidate who has already completed much of the training for theses exams.  Conducted according to the individual's needs.  Perfect for experienced FAA Senior Riggers testing for Master, sport packers who have prior training under an FAA rigger, or military riggers converting to the FAA certificate but less familiar with civilian equipment.

   Oral/practical examination for FAA Senior Rigger, Initial Rating.  For candidates qualified with FAA Form 8610-2 independently or through the Rahlmo's Rigging courses.  Follows the FAA Rigger Knowledge ("written") Examination taken independently at an FAA-approved testing center (not included in price). 

   Oral/practical examination for FAA Master Rigger.  For candidates qualified with FAA Form 8610-2.   

    Rate only applies to re-tests of failed examinations conducted at Rahlmo's Rigging.

    The B-Licence Water Training Course is held in a swimming pool approximately 20 minutes from Skydive Orange in Central Virginia-- with Rahlmo's gear. (Your gear won't get wet!)  Course fee includes a barbecue overlooking Lake Anna.  The course is typically scheduled for May and September. Please bring swimwear and a towel.