Section 3, Harness and Risers Chest Strap Replacement Procedure Harness repairs are almost always a major repair.  Consequently, they are master rigger work. About the only  repairs open to a senior rigger are replacement of ripcord  pockets and Velcro$^{®}$; and replacement of hand tackings for  ripcords, comfort pads, 3-ring housings, and other hardware.  Major harness repairs are the most critical maintenance  operations a rigger can perform on a parachute assembly.  Even seemingly innocuous repairs, if done incorrectly, can  have fatal consequences. Depending on the type of harness  design, repairs to the harness main lift web or leg straps  involve major repair or remanufacture.  According to 14 CFR part 65, section 65.129 (e) and (f), “No  certificated parachute rigger may – (e) Pack, maintain, or  alter a parachute in any manner that deviates from 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...” In other words,  because this operation is a major repair, the person doing  the work must be a currently certificated Master Parachute  Rigger with the appropriate ratings.  In the past, many master riggers felt that they were  empowered to undertake almost any task. The attitude was,  “We can lift the TSO label, build a new harness, and put the  TSO label back on.” This is not the case. Just because an  individual has a master rigger license does not mean he or  she is qualified to undertake a complex repair.  There are four primary areas of concern that need to be  addressed in any repair program. They are as follows: The following are repairs found in Section 3, Harness  and Risers: Main risers are components that are subject to extreme wear  and tear. The only items that are practical for repair are  the 3-ring locking loops and the toggle mounting/Velcro$^{®}$  assembly. Once the webbing begins to show wear, it is more  practical to replace than repair them. •  Standard harness main lift web replacement •  Main riser 3-ring locking loop replacement •  Main riser steering toggle Velcro$^{®}$ replacement •  Applicable products: Most standard harness  configurations •  Description: Replacement of chest strap due to damage  or for lengthening •  Authorized repairmen: FAA Master Parachute Rigger  •  Materials: E thread—5-cord nylon thread •  Machines: 301 straight stitch—medium duty 7–11  SPI, heavy-duty harness machine—Singer 7–33 or  equivalent-stitch length to match the original, and 308  zigzag—medium duty 7–11 SPI •  Equipment: Scissors, seam ripper or scalpel, marking  pencil, ruler, hot glue gun, and hot knife 1.  Examine the chest strap/MLW junction to determine  if the backpad needs to be removed from the harness  to access the junction. If so, remove the pad from the  harness to allow access to the junction.  [Figure A] 1.  Inspection, damage identification, and repair planning 2.  Teardown and cleanup 3.  Preparation and reconstruction 4.  Quality control inspection and recordkeeping •  Chest strap replacement •  Lower leg strap shortening •  Ripcord pocket Velcro$^{®}$ replacement •  Articulated upper leg hardware replacement 2.  Many harnesses have the reserve ripcord housing  located on the left side. The housing needs to be  disconnected at this location. It is usually secured to  a loop located at the chest strap junction. During the  This procedure deals with the longer side of the chest strap,  usually the left, which is threaded through the chest adapter  or through an adjustable V-ring. Replacing the opposite side  would mirror this process. Disassembly 7-51