Advanced Course on Equipment (ACE)

Equipment Knowledge Assessment

Complete this assessment before your Advanced Course on Equipment (ACE, SIM 5-12). Answer every question. You can answer from what you know, look things up in your manuals, ask other jumpers, or simply guess. If you look something up, note where you found it.

This assessment isn't graded. Each question opens a topic the course will cover, and your answers help the ACE Course Director decide where to spend the most time. Some questions are about your own equipment, so have your rig and manuals handy.

37 questions in 6 sections. Your answers are saved in this browser as you go, so you can close the page and come back.

First name

USPA membership number

ACE Course Director

Type part of their first or last name, then pick them from the list.

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Section 1 of 6

Regulations and Responsibility

1. Who regulates parachute riggers?

(Check one.)

FAA USPA The state where the jumping occurs

2. Who may train a senior parachute rigger?

3. Who may test a rigger candidate and issue a parachute rigger certificate or rating?

4. How many parachutes must a person pack under supervision to apply for an FAA senior parachute rigger certificate?

(Check one.)

5. May a jumper pack their own reserve under the supervision of an FAA rigger?

(Check one.)

Yes No

6. According to FAA rules, a jumper making the next jump on a main parachute may supervise someone else packing it.

(Check one.)

True False Not sure

7. How often must your main parachute and your reserve parachute be repacked?

Main:

Reserve:

8. If the loop that holds the excess brake line on your main riser tears, may you repair it yourself?

(Check one.)

Yes No

9. May you change the slider on your own main parachute? Explain.

10. May you remove a piece of unnecessary touch fastener (Velcro) from your harness-and-container?

(Check one.)

Yes No Yes, if it's part of the main parachute system

11. The pilot in command is responsible for making sure every parachute carried on board for intentional or emergency use is packed and maintained according to FAA rules.

(Check one.)

True False

Section 2 of 6

Materials and Strength

12. Estimate the strength of the webbing used on your main risers.

lbs

13. Estimate the strength of a typical single suspension line on your main canopy.

lbs

14. What is the difference between zero-porosity (zero-P) fabric and low-porosity (“F-111”) fabric?

Why do hybrid canopies use both?

Section 3 of 6

Environment, Storage, and Travel

15. Name three substances or environmental conditions that damage parachute fabric.

a.

b.

c.

16. How long do rubber bands last when not in use?

What makes them wear out faster?

17. May you carry your parachute aboard a commercial airline flight?

(Check one.)

Yes No

If yes, how must it travel?

(Check one.)

As a carry-on As checked baggage Either

Section 4 of 6

The Main Parachute System

18. What are the three most important aspects of packing a main parachute to ensure an orderly opening?

a.

b.

c.

19. Why might a kill line need to be adjusted or replaced?

20. What happens when the kill line breaks?

What happens when the bridle breaks?

21. How do you know when to replace your main closing loop?

22. How do you determine the correct length of your main closing loop?

23. Which way should the curved main closing pin on your rig point?

(Check one.)

“Smiley face” “Frowny face” Straight up and down Depends on the container and pilot chute

24. Where do you find the correct stow length, number of wraps, and bight size for your main deployment bag?

25. How much line should you leave unstowed when packing your main, and where do you find that information?

26. Do the main connector links on your rig need to be tacked in place?

(Check one.)

Yes No

Where would you find out?

27. What is the purpose of collapsing your slider after opening?

Section 5 of 6

The Harness-and-Container System

28. A new harness-and-container comes with everything EXCEPT which of the following?

(Check ALL the items it does NOT come with.)

Main and reserve connector links Main risers Reserve risers Main slider Reserve slider Main deployment bag Reserve free bag Main and reserve steering toggles Main packing instructions

29. What is the purpose of the turnback tab on the free ends of harness webbing?

Section 6 of 6

Reserve and Emergency Systems

30. What are your reserve's maximum operating weight and maximum opening speed?

Weight: lbs

Speed: kts

31. How often does the 3-ring release on your rig need to be serviced?

32. Which riser does your RSL attach to?

(Check one.)

Right Left Both

33. Which of the following is true of a main-assisted reserve deployment (MARD) system?

(Check one.)

Replaces the RSL Is used in addition to an RSL Makes an AAD unnecessary Should be disconnected in the event of a total malfunction

34. What is the service interval on your AAD, and what is its life limit?

Service:

Life limit:

35. How long does your AAD stay on?

Should you turn it off before leaving the drop zone at the end of the day?

36. What is a hook knife for?

Where is yours located?

37. What does PIA stand for?

What does it do?

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Thanks for taking the time. See you at the course.