APF Rigging Advisory Circulars and product Service Bulletins
PART I - RIGGING ADVISORY CIRCULARS
Part I is Rigging Advisory Circulars (RACs) that contain manufacturer advisory notices as well as general information about parachute standards and maintenance requirements as promulgated by the APF.
In this part RACs are categorised by subject matter as follows:
100 - 199 Licensing of maintenance personnel
200 - 299 Standards for equipment
300 - 399 Parachute canopies
400 - 499 Harnesses and containers
500 - 599 Ripcords, static-lines
600 - 699 Deployment devices (pilot chutes, bags, diapers)
700 - 799 Instruments (AADs, audible & visual altimeters)
800 - 899 Hardware (fittings, release devices)
Part II is SERVICE BULLETINS (SBs) that should be read in conjunction with these RACs.
The Alphabetical Index of all Manufacturer's/Federation Bulletins and APF Rigging Advisory Circulars
RACs are to be gradually withdrawn and, where appropriate, replaced with the manufacturer’s own SB. There may be occasions where more than one organisation promulgates a policy on a particular product (eg raising the status from recommended to mandatory). Under the new scheme both will be issued as a SB and referenced to each other in the index.
Eventually RACs will cease to exist and be replaced with SBs or the information placed in some other APF publication. This initiative will see SBs become a resource with worldwide appeal.
Australian Suppliers of Parachute Parts and Services: A list of lofts, parachute maintenance services and jumpsuit and accessory manufacturers and suppliers in Australia
Gliding Federation of Australia (GFA)
APF Liability Insurance does not cover packing GFA member's emergency parachutes.
APF-GFA Associate Membership is available to APF Members and includes the following:
- Entitles the member to cover under the GFA’s Liability Insurance for the purpose of packing GFA members emergency parachutes
- Does not include voting privileges with the GFA
- Does not include subscription to the Soaring Australia Magazine
- Must remain a member of the Australian Parachute Federation in order for GFA Associate Membership to remain valid
For more information or to obtain an APF-GFA Associate Membership Form contact the FGA Membership Secretary: Membership@sec.gfa.org.au
Parachute Industry Association Website
Dan Poynter's Para Publishing site. Includes a complete list of Parachute products
Parachute Manuals on-line This is an online collection of Parachute rigging manuals. The purpose of this site is to provide access to manuals in case the manufacturers are unable to be reached.
Efforts have been made to try to ensure that the latest revisions of manuals have been included, but you should always contact the manufacturer first to ensure you are using the latest revision.
Efforts were also made to include major service bulletins but it is almost certain some service bulletins are not on this site so you should ALWAYS contact the manufacturer to ensure you are up to date on the SB's before doing any rigging work. (Or consult the APF SB & RAC page above)
FAA Riggers Handbook 2005 Chapters 1
FAA Riggers Handbook 2005 Chapters 2
FAA Riggers Handbook 2005 Chapters 3
FAA Riggers Handbook 2005 Chapters 4 - 5
FAA Riggers Handbook 2005 Chapter 6
FAA Riggers Handbook 2005 Chapter 7
FAA Riggers Handbook 2005 Appendix / Glossary / Index
Automatic Activation Devices (AADs)
International Parachute Commission (FAI) AAD Guide 2006
CYPRES Airtec Web site - (Includes Australian Dealers/Servicing Agents) USA web site
CASA letter re carriage of CYPRES AAD on aircraft.(Not classified as a Dangerous Goods within the ICAO definition for the carriage of items by air.
Vigil Advanced Aerospace Designs web site (Includes Australian Dealers)
Argus Aviacom web site