Generally, customers leave the parachute to be repacked;  however, riggers should invite their customers to stay and  observe the repack. Many riggers encourage this behavior  since it results in a more educated individual. In a busy loft  environment, however, a scheduled appointment might be  needed to allow for the increased time necessary to explain  the process. If the customer decides to watch the inspection  and repack, the rigger should allow at least twice the usual  time for the project so the customer can ask questions.  Another benefit of this is that the customer gets to see the  effort it takes to service a parachute.  Figure 5-1  shows  a packing flow chart that details the sequence of events  the rigger should follow from receiving the parachute to  collecting the money from the customer. For most people, parachute rigging is all about packing  parachutes. Rigging and packing may be synonymous, but  there is a distinct difference. In its truest form, parachute  rigging is the practice of assembling a parachute system with  its various components into an operative assembly. Packing is  the practice of folding the parachute canopy in an organized  manner such that it fits into the container system and allows  the canopy to open when the user activates the system. There are five distinct stages involved in packing the  parachute. They are: Upon completion of the visual inspection, there are two  options for continuing. If there are no visual indications of  damage or contamination, move on to the next step of opening  the parachute. If something suspicious is found, or if there  is a hole in the container or discoloration to the container  fabric, the rigger needs to see if the damage penetrated into  the canopy. To do so, note the location and check internally  after opening the parachute. The first thing the rigger should do when a customer brings  a parachute in for packing or repair is to confirm that the  owner’s information is correct on the packing data card.  This ensures that the rigger’s logbook entry is accurate. In a  commercial loft, a work order is filled out with all the correct  information about the customer and the parachute. Many lofts  that do a high volume of business input this information into  a computer database for tracking their customers. This data  is then used to send automatic repack notices to customers.  This ensures that the reserve or emergency parachute is legal  to use when the customer needs it. If the owner is participating in the inspection, it is a good  idea to have them backed against the packing table or similar  surface when they pull the ripcord so the canopy does not fall  out on the floor. This keeps the canopy clean, but it also lets the  rigger control the extraction of the canopy from the container.  It is good practice to hold the canopy in the container while  the owner takes off the pack. In the case of a bagged square  reserve, the bag extraction force should be measured to ensure  that it is not excessive. Place the rig on the table or clean floor  and measure using a fish scale or by simply lifting the bag  by its bridle. Bag extraction forces vary between brands of  containers. The manufacturer of the given container should be  able to provide a maximum acceptable extraction force in terms  of pounds. The rigger can then proceed to thoroughly examine  the previous pack job and to check those areas previously  identified as damaged or contaminated. 1.  Identification 2.  Inspection 3.  Rigging and/or repairs 4.  Packing 5.  Documentation Identification Inspection During the examination of the parachute for damage or  contamination, the rigger should also look at how the  previous rigger packed the canopy. Particularly in regard  to pilot emergency parachutes, riggers sometimes exercise  great latitude in interpreting the packing instructions in order  to make the parachute as comfortable as possible for the  pilot. Each rigger makes the determination as to what is the  correct packing method. If the present rigger finds that the  last pack job was in error, the individual responsible needs  to be notified of the findings. The owner should bring the parachute to the rigger in its  packed condition. This practice should be encouraged for  several reasons. The canopy is a fragile item and is subject  to damage or contamination if left exposed to the elements,  and the container is designed to protect the canopy from  damage. The parachute should be opened only in the  controlled environment of the parachute loft. This is so  the entire system can be examined externally for signs of  damage or contamination before it is opened. Next, the owner  should don the parachute and pull the ripcord as in a real life  scenario to understand how to activate the system properly  and experience what it feels like to actually pull the reserve  ripcord. This gives the owner a great degree of confidence  that the parachute will work when needed. It is something  that jumpers rarely get to do, and their reaction is generally  one of curiosity and satisfaction. Doing so also lets the owner  see what is in there. It is surprising how many jumpers do not  even know what color their reserve parachute is. 5-2