Master Rigger Course

Age Requirement

• Candidates must be at least 18 years old and provide valid, government-issued photo identification. See FAQs for acceptable forms of ID.

Basic Knowledge

• Minimum of 3 years of experience as a rigger. Experience can include work done while supervised by a US or foreign, military or civilian rigger, or while holding a US or foreign rigging certificate.

• Minimum 100 packs each of two reserve types. (Note: Ejection seats, such as ACES II, cannot be counted as seat packs.)

• Recent ram air packing experience.

• Recent repair experience.

Civilian candidates must produce a log book for instructor review. Required packs must have been done either as an FAA Senior Rigger or under the supervision of an FAA rigger who signs off the work.

Military candidates without a rigger logbook must present an original letter on unit letterhead signed in ink or digitally by the Commander as proof of experience.

Download Master Rigger Sample Letter

Candidates are provided with a copy of the FAA Parachute Rigger Handbook and the Integrated Guide To Parachute Rigger Tests for The Modern Rigger Candidate, also known as “The Green Book”.

Course tuition includes access to USAPR’s extensive resource library, a complete inventory of sewing machines and tools, a wide selection of modern and vintage parachute systems, and other relevant materials and supplies.

At USAPR, we deliver individualized, hands-on training in order to prepare candidates to pass the FAA exam and to succeed as rigging professionals. We provide opportunities to address a variety of real-life scenarios on authentic gear – not sample-sized, representative pieces – including sewing patches on canopies, replacing stiffeners on containers, resizing harnesses, relining canopies, and building flyable ram-air kites.

Courses include four distinct phases across three weeks:

• Week 1 | Phase 1: Basic Skills Introduction/Review
• Week 2 | Phase 2: Skill Development & Phase 3 Test Qualification
• Week 3 | Phase 4: Oral/Practical Tests

Successful Master Rigger candidates will demonstrate progression in seven curricular areas:

1. Assembly, Inspection & Packing
2. Record Keeping & Documentation
3. Sewing Machine Operation
4. Canopy Repair
5. Container Repair
6. Line Repair & Replacement
7. Harness Repair

Master Rigger candidates are evaluated by the course instructors following the completion of each level of training.

Time permitting, individual candidates complete a mock exam featuring sample test questions and a simulated oral and practical exam as preparation for the written and practical FAA exams with a Designated Parachute Rigger Examiner (DPRE).

An FAA DPRE will issue an FAA Master Rigger Certificate to candidates who successfully complete an oral and practical exam.

USAPR graduates receive a graduation certificate and T-Shirt, Rigger Wings, and a USAPR coffee cup.