Service Bulletins
& Product Modification Procedures
SERVICE BULLETINS (SB)
RI has made extensive use of the Parachute Industry
Association’s Service Bulletin Format over the years. Sandy Reid,
President of RI, is also the Chairman of the PIA Technical
committee, which is tasked with drafting such procedures, and
drafted the Service Bulletin format.
Contrary to commonly held belief, the issuance of a Service Bulletin
on a product does not mean that it is defective or dangerous. The
issuance of a Service Bulletin is designed to provide owners and
riggers with advisory and safety bulletins regarding their
equipment. The format of the bulletin is short, concise, and
standardized so that the rigger or owner can immediately identify
the information and level of compliance called for.
The PIA Service Bulletin format provides for 5 different levels of
compliance. They start at the lowest or advisory level and progress
upward in importance through optional, recommended, mandatory, and
grounding, depending on the nature of the information the
manufacturer needs to convey. Most of the Service Bulletins issued
by RI are advisory in nature and designed to keep owners up to date
on changes to their equipment.
PRODUCT MODIFICATION PROCEDURES (PMPs)
RI has designed and uses an additional format to convey any
specialized modification procedures to support its Service Bulletin
program. Many times the Service Bulletin calls out certain
procedures or changes necessary to comply with the Service Bulletin.
By keeping the required or suggested procedures separate, the owner
or rigger can first make the determination as to whether the Service
Bulletin applies to their equipment, if it does, they may then use
the PMP to comply with the Service Bulletin. The format of both the
Service Bulletin and the PMPs are cross-referenced to each other for
easy identification.
If you as the owner or rigger have any questions concerning the
Service Bulletin or PMP format, please contact RI for further
information.
Can't find the TSO data panel? Use this link to get help.
ALTERATIONS/MAJOR REPAIRS
Rigging Innovations does NOT authorize alterations to any RI harness & container system. Alterations must be made by the manufacturer. Major repairs must be made either by RI, a designated RI Service Center, or an appropriately rated and certificated FAA rigger or foreign equivalent. For further info or clarification, contact Rigging Innovations at 520.466.2655 or email: tech@rigginginnovations.com
RIGGER QUALIFICATIONS
To pack and maintain Rigging Innovations parachute systems, the FAA Senior or Master Rigger or Foreign equivalent must possess a BACK rating endorsement to his or her certificate. Since these systems are certified only with square reserve parachutes, the rigger should be appropriately trained to pack ram-air parachutes prior to certifying the product for emergency use.
FAR Part 65.127 ( ) No certificated parachute rigger may -
(e) pack, maintain or alter a parachute in any manner that deviates from the procedures approved by the administrator OR the manufacturer of the parachute; or
(f) Exercise the privileges of his certificate and type rating unless he understands the current manufacturer's instructions for the operation involved.
ANYONE who circumvents Rigging Innovations Inc. instructions is in violation of FAR Part 65.127 and is, therefore, performing an illegal procedure.
ABOUT CONTAINER/CANOPY VOLUMES
RI is generally conservative when sizing containers. If the container is a little soft, it usually is not a problem. However, if it is too small and tight, either the owner or their packer is not going to like packing it. If you pack your own rig and want the smallest container possible, RI can accommodate your needs.
If you know the size of the container you want, you may specify this on the order form. However, RI will not be responsible if the canopies do not fit.