The term “rigger” originated in the 16 $^{th}$ Century and referred  to a person who organized, repaired, and maintained sails and  lines aboard sailing ships. The rigger was not a high-ranking  individual aboard the ship, but he was an essential technician  that could not be done without. Likewise, parachute riggers,  as indispensible as they are, must operate within strict  boundaries set forth by the Federal Aviation Administration  (FAA). When parachutes were developed in the early 20 th  Century, those who sewed the canopies and lines became  known as “riggers.” In those first decades, anyone with some  knowledge of sewing and materials could make or repair  parachutes. As the aviation industry grew and matured,  the need for trained individuals to pack and maintain the  parachutes grew as well. In order to protect the pilots and  public who flew in airplanes and relied on parachutes, the  government began to license these individuals. Rigging, in  reference to parachutes, came to mean: the final adjustment  and alignment of the various component sections to provide  the proper aerodynamic reaction. Parachutes intended for emergency use in civil aircraft in  the United States, including the reserve parachute of a dual  parachute system to be used for intentional jumping, must  be packed, maintained, or altered by a person who holds an  appropriate and current Parachute Rigger Certificate. The  certificate is issued under Title 14 of the Code of Federal  Regulations (14 CFR), part 65, subpart F. These regulations  do not apply to an individual who packs the main parachute  of a dual parachute pack to be used for intentional jumping.  These regulations also do not apply to parachutes packed,  maintained, or altered for use by the Armed Forces.  rigger and have packed at least 100 parachutes of two types  in common use (for a total of 200 pack jobs). There are  four type ratings that may be placed on a Parachute Rigger  Certificate: back, chest, seat, and lap. Of these, the first three  are used today. The lap rating applies to parachutes that are  basically obsolete. A Senior Parachute Rigger is considered  a journeyman technician, and the Master Parachute Rigger  is considered an expert.  Any person who holds a Parachute Rigger Certificate must  present it for inspection if requested by the Administrator or  an authorized representative of the National Transportation  Safety Board (NTSB) or any federal, state, or local law  enforcement officer. A sample certificate is shown in  Figure 1-1 . The two types of certificates differ in the level of experience  and responsibility. A  Senior Parachute Rigger may pack, as  well as maintain, a parachute by making minor repairs. A  Master Parachute Rigger has all the privileges of the lesser  certificate plus the ability to make major repairs and alter  parachutes according to approved data. A major repair is  one that, if improperly done, can appreciably affect the  airworthiness of the parachute. An example of a major repair  might be replacing a damaged canopy panel or altering a  harness by changing the size of a main lift web. A minor  repair is anything other than a major repair, such as a small  patch on a canopy or the replacement of a defective or worn  connector link.  To be eligible for a Parachute Rigger Certificate issued by the  FAA, individuals must be at least 18 years of age; be able to  read, write, speak, and understand the English language; and  comply with other requirements of 14 CFR, part 65, subpart  F, which governs the certification of parachute riggers.  There are two levels of Parachute Rigger Certificate available  in the United States: senior and master. The Senior Parachute  Rigger candidate must pack a minimum of 20 parachutes of  one type and be able to demonstrate the ability to maintain  and make minor repairs. The Master Parachute Rigger  candidate must have 3 years of experience as a parachute  When an applicant meets the requirements and demonstrates  sufficient knowledge and skills as outlined in 14 CFR part 65,  subpart F, the supervising parachute rigger (either a senior or  Earning a Parachute Rigger Certificate Eligibility and Requirements  Parachute Rigger Certificates Figure 1-1. Airman's Certificate—Master Parachute Rigger. 1-2