7. Hang assembly in drying tower in accordance with  the section titled, Drying a Parachute.  a. Wash only the soiled areas in warm water with a  mild soap.  b. Rinse affected area thoroughly with fresh  clean water. 4. Hang assembly in drying tower in accordance with  the section titled, Drying a Parachute. 1. Remove pilot chute assembly and/or drogue/slider  control line.  2. Hang parachute full-length or the seams may  experience uneven shrinkage creating a built in turn. 3. Hang reserve parachute assembly by all four connector  links for the same time. Washing the parachute is not recommended and should be  avoided if at all possible. Many times more damage can be  caused to the assembly with an improper wash as opposed  to the dirty condition of the equipment. The procedure for drying a parachute is critical. Asymmetric  shrinkage may occur if the parachute is dried unevenly. Perform the following steps: Now that we have determined through inspection and use  of the chart what category of repair may be required, we  must obtain the needed data. This can sometimes verify our  determination as to the category of repair and inform us of  processes or standards. Approved is the data issue or version  of data that has been identified by the developer/supplier as  being the master issue or version of the data subject. It is  required on major repair. This data is a key element and offers  the base line of all standards that must be met for completion  of the task of returning the equipment to the user in a safe,  continued service condition. Approved Data Drying a Parachute Cleaning the Parachute  Riggers under FAA jurisdiction are responsible for ensuring  that repairs are accomplished according to all applicable  regulations under title 14 CFR part 43. Repair of damage can be  classified as either major, minor, or alteration. This assessment  is based on the scope and complexity of the repair, end result  of the task, and the experience and capability of the operator. Sometimes during the inspection process, excessive amounts  of dirt or debris are found caused from misuse or poor  landing. Also, there are occasions when the customer may  request that the assembly be cleaned. Washing a parachute is not recommended unless deemed  absolutely necessary because washing it can weaken and/ or increase the permeability of the fabric. Washing can  also cause shrinkage in the nylon fabric, tapes, and the  other components. Do not dry clean parachutes. Parachute  components may be spot cleaned or cleaned as a unit, and  care must be taken that the cleaning process does not do more  damage than the original soiling. As we know, the responsibility for determining whether a  repair is major or minor rests with the rigger. The document  needed to complete an inspection and subsequent repack  is the manufacturers owners manual. The documents that  offer standards for a repair are found in 14 CFR part 43 and  are worded with direct application to aircraft. This allows  for confusion of FAA position of repair as it applies to  manufacturers and riggers. In the U.S., all repairmen (riggers  and mechanics) have authority to use acceptable repair data  for minor repairs without additional FAA approval. These  processes are not addressed in 14 CFR part 43 as major,  minor, or alteration, and no reference is found for use on  parachutes or related components. The following considerations/steps should be used when  hand washing the parachute: Because of this rather gray area of current repair classifications  under 14 CFR part 43, many times approved data identifies  directly the classification of the repair and sets forth all  needed guidelines and requirements. The standards for approved or certificated equipment apply  to the reserve parachute, harness/container, and related  components, and these standards can also include any  Automatic Activation Device (AAD) that may be used in  an approved system. With the installation of the AAD, it  must meet all manufacturer service and use standards and  Hand Washing (If Absolutely Necessary) 1. A mild soap or soap solution and a water softener may  be used. 2. Immerse the parachute into clean, fresh water  contained in a smooth vessel, such as a bathtub.  3. Do not wring the parachute fabric. Damage to fabric  permeability will result. 4. Gently move items by hand until all air pockets are  removed. Agitate as little as possible or damage to  fabric permeability will result.  5. Empty the vessel of dirty water and refill with fresh,  warm, clear water.  6. Rinse the parachute several times in warm, fresh water  until rinse water is clear. 7-11