four primary areas of parachute repair and maintenance are:  canopy and lines; container; harness and risers; and accessory  components. These areas are summarized within the seven  sections of this chapter as follows: Each of the seven sections in this chapter has a list that  describes common repair procedures today’s rigger might  use. While not necessarily encompassing everything, the  techniques used in these repairs can be expanded upon to  address almost any other scenario that might be encountered.  This is acceptable data as referred to earlier in the chapter. If  the rigger encounters a repair that he or she is not familiar with,  then the rigger should contact the manufacturer for further  direction and guidance. The rigger should also remember that  each procedure is just one method of accomplishing a given  repair. There might be more than one or an individual might  develop a different technique to achieve the same results.  The exception to this is approved data that requires a specific  procedure, rating, equipment, materials, or repair process. No matter what techniques or procedures that are followed,  remember that there are three basic requirements to follow  for any proper repair procedure. •  Section 1—Canopy and lines  •  Section 2—Container  •  Section 3—Harness and Risers  •  Section 4—Accessory Components  •  Section 5—Alterations  •  Section 6—Manufacturing  •  Section 7—Miscellaneous  1.  Knowledge to do the job, to include the required  certification and authorization 2.  Proper equipment, such as sewing machines or  hand tools 3.  Availability of the proper materials Section 1, Canopy and Lines There are two general categories of canopies: round and  square. While there are other canopy types, their construction  and repair techniques generally follow those of the round and  square canopies.  Figure 7-14  shows a round canopy repair  table, created from current military manuals, and describes  the types and limits of canopy repairs, most of which pertain  to military or surplus canopies. It must be mentioned that all  of the services differ in their approach to methods of repair.  Those called out in this book are methods that have been  proven to be practical and efficient and commonly accepted  throughout the parachute industry. The techniques are  similar with only minor differences in seam dimensions and  tolerances. While these limits are practical from the technical  point of view, the economic cost may not be in many cases. The individual may be a master rigger with a complete  parachute loft at his or her disposal but, without the materials  as used in the original manufacture, the correct repair cannot be  made. By following these simple guidelines, riggers are always  able to determine whether or not they can do the job properly. Most of today’s manufacturers provide guidance for the  repair and maintenance of their products. These instructions  are the official guidelines that the rigger must follow. The  NOTE:  Ripstop tape is listed in the table as an acceptable  repair for certificated round canopies; this table comes from  military manuals that have not been addressed or updated  Round Canopy Repairs and Limitations Type Certificated Non-certificated Limits Restitching Ripstop tape Basic patch Panel patch Radial seams Lateral bands upper Lower V-tabs Pocket bands Vent collar ring Vent collars Suspension lines  Continuous line Noncontinuous line Line splice No limit as to length and number. Holes or tears not exceeding .5" and snags. Limit: 3 per panel,  10 per canopy. Size limit: 50% of panel. Limit: 3 per panel, 15 per canopy. Limit: 9 per canopy. Size limit: 12". No more than 4 per canopy. Damage size limit: 2". Limit: 1 per canopy. Damage size limit: 36". Limit: 4 per canopy. No limit. No limit. No limit. No limit. No limit. No limit. Not allowed. No limit as to length and number. No limit as to size or number. No limit as to size or number. No limit. No limit as to size or number. No limit as to size or number. No limit as to size or number. No limit. No limit. No limit. No limit. No limit. No limit. Limit: 1 per line, 8 per canopy. Figure 7-14.  Table of round canopy repairs and limitations. 7-13