 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. 

## Drying a Parachute 

The procedure for drying a parachute is critical. Asymmetric shrinkage may occur if the parachute is dried unevenly. Perform the following steps: 

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. 

## Cleaning the Parachute 

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. 

## Hand Washing (If Absolutely Necessary) 

The following considerations/steps should be used when hand washing the parachute: 

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. Hang assembly in drying tower in accordance with the section titled, Drying a Parachute. 

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. 

## Approved Data 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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 

