The reserve parachute is your last resort — the component that stands between you and a fatal outcome if your main canopy fails and you must cut it away. Unlike the main canopy, which you may pack yourself after earning your A license, the reserve parachute is legally required to be packed only by an FAA-certified parachute rigger. This requirement exists because the consequences of a poorly packed reserve are potentially fatal, and the skill required to pack a reserve correctly demands formal training and certification.
The FAA Rigger Certification System
The Federal Aviation Administration issues parachute rigger certificates in two classes: Senior Rigger and Master Rigger. Senior Riggers are authorized to pack, maintain, and alter parachutes, but only for the type of parachutes — main or reserve — for which they have demonstrated competency. Master Riggers have all the authorities of Senior Riggers plus the additional authority to pack and maintain all types of parachutes and to issue FAA Form 8130-3 airworthiness tags for parachutes that have been inspected and found airworthy.
The path to becoming an FAA-certified rigger involves completing an FAA-approved training course and passing a written, practical, and oral examination. The training covers parachute types, materials, packing procedures, federal regulations, maintenance and alteration procedures, and emergency procedures. The examination tests both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
For skydivers, the practical implication is that when you bring your rig to a drop zone loft or independent rigger, you are trusting your life to their training and competency. Reputable riggers are proud of their certification and happy to show their credentials. Anyone who resists providing proof of their rigger certification should not be trusted with your reserve.
Understanding the 180-Day Packing Requirement
FAA regulations require that a parachute — specifically a reserve parachute — may not be jumped if it has been packed by a certificated parachute rigger more than 180 days before the date of use. This means that if your reserve was packed on January 1, the last day it can legally be used is July 1. This requirement exists because parachutes, like all mechanical systems, can degrade over time, and the 180-day limit ensures regular professional inspection.
The packing date and rigger information are documented on a packing card — a small card attached to the rig that lists the rigger's name, certificate number, date of pack, and date of expiration. Before every jump, check this card. If the expiration date has passed, your reserve is not legally jumpable until it is repacked.
The 180-day clock restarts from the date of the pack, not from the date of the last jump. If you have not jumped the rig but the reserve was packed 150 days ago, you have 30 days left. If you jump it at day 150, the reserve still has 30 days of legal life remaining after the jump. The next repack period begins from the date of packing, not from the date of the jump.
What Happens During a Professional Reserve Pack
A professional reserve pack job is far more comprehensive than simply folding a canopy and placing it in the container. The rigger will perform a complete inspection of the reserve canopy, suspension lines, connector links, deployment bag, and reserve container. This inspection is designed to catch any issues that could compromise reserve function.
The canopy inspection includes checking every panel for tears, holes, contamination, UV damage, and signs of fabric degradation. The suspension lines are individually inspected for fraying, nicks, and proper attachment. The links connecting lines to risers are checked for security and signs of corrosion or deformation. The deployment bag is inspected for integrity, proper function of its closing system, and condition of the bridle.
The reserve is packed using the specific packing procedure approved by the parachute's manufacturer. This procedure may differ from the main canopy packing procedure because reserve canopies are typically round or cruciform designs with different inflation characteristics than ram-air main canopies. The rigger follows a detailed packing checklist that ensures every step is completed correctly.
Reserve Repack After an Actual Emergency Use
If your reserve is deployed in an actual emergency — whether you cut away your main and deployed the reserve, or whether an AAD fired the reserve — the reserve must be immediately removed from service and sent to an FAA-certified rigger for full inspection before it can be repacked and returned to service. This is not optional and is not subject to interpretation.
The rigger's inspection after an actual emergency use is significantly more comprehensive than a standard repack inspection. Every component must be examined for damage caused by the emergency deployment — high-speed deployments, line twists, and cutaway procedures can all impose stresses on the reserve system that are not present in normal deployments.
After any actual reserve deployment, the main canopy must also be inspected and repacked by a rigger before it can be jumped again. The cutaway procedure itself may have imposed stress on the main container and harness system, and these components must be verified as airworthy before reuse.
Finding a Reputable Rigger
Most drop zones have at least one rigger on staff or available through a working relationship with an independent rigger. The rigger's credentials should be prominently displayed, and they should be willing to explain their inspection and packing procedures. Do not hesitate to ask about their experience, their training, and their inspection findings.
The Parachute Industry Association and USPA both maintain directories of riggers, and online reviews from other skydivers can help identify reputable professionals. Be wary of riggers who significantly undercut market rates — the cost of reserve packing reflects the rigger's training, expertise, insurance, and the thoroughness of the inspection. Saving money on a pack job is not worth the risk of an inadequately packed reserve.