End tabs.  Metal tabs on the end flap of the pack (principally  chest and seat containers) used to secure it closed. Diaper.  Generally, a fabric panel secured by the suspension  lines, which is sewn to and wrapped around the canopy.  Used to control and reduce opening forces. Found mostly  on round reserves. Eye.  A small steel-wire loop attached to the parachute pack  into which a hook on a pack-opening elastic is fastened. Die.  The lower part of the tool used in a press to install snap  fasteners or grommets. Fastener slide.  Zipper. Direct bag static line system.  A static line deployment  system where the bag is attached to the static line and the canopy deploys free into the airstream. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  An organization  within the Department of Transportation. The FAA  establishes aviation rules and regulations, as well as enforces  those policies. The purpose of the FAA is to set the standards  for civil aircraft in the interest of public safety. Double throw zigzag stitching.  Stitching in which the needle  makes a center stitch between each left and right stitch. Also  known as a No. 308 stitch. Feed dog.  A mechanical device located under the throat  plate of a sewing machine that feeds the material through a  sewing machine. Double-W.  A three-point cross-stitch. Drop test.  Dropping a dummy or other load from an aircraft  in flight or otherwise simulating a live jump to prove  serviceability of a parachute. Ferrule.  Device that provides a strong and smooth finish on  the ends of a ripcord housing. Drop zone (DZ).  A specified area upon which personnel or  equipment are dropped by parachute. Fid.  A small, flat, tapered bar of metal or wood used to insert  the corner flaps into the container when packing. Finger trap.  A method of attaching or splicing lines by  inserting one line into another. Used primarily on hollow  braided lines. Drying tower.  A facility where parachutes are suspended  for airing and drying. Dual parachute packs.  A sport assembly consisting of a  main and a reserve parachute. Finish.  The condition of the parachute fabric caused by the application of heat and pressure whereby the fibers are  forced closer together. This treatment is used to determine  the permeability of the fabric. Dummy (parachute).  Torso-shaped dummy of variable  weight used for testing parachutes; may be of fixed or  articulated construction. Fish scale.  A spring scale used to measure the ripcord pull  force or fabric strength test. Dummy drop.  A parachute test using a dummy as the  suspended load. Durable dot fastener.  The common snap fastener used for  closing flaps, etc. Folder.  A device used as an attachment to a sewing machine  to guide and fold fabric. Force.  A push or pull that tends to change the velocity or  direction of a body’s motion. Ejector type snap harness.  A harness snap that attaches to  the V-ring to secure two parts of the harness together. An  ejector arm expels the V-ring when the finger-grip lever is  pulled outward.  Forging.  A high-pressure shaping of hot metal. The process  used to make parachute hardware. Forward speed.  The rate at which a parachute moves  horizontally in a mass of air. Emergency parachute.  A certificated parachute intended  for emergency use. Four line check.  On a round canopy, the four lines that run  to the top center and bottom center gores. Used to check the  line continuity. On a 28-foot canopy, they are lines 1, 14,  15, and 28. End flap.  The fabric on the end of a pack as opposed to the  side, used to enclose and protect the canopy. E F  G-4