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Under 14 CFR Part 65, what is the minimum age required to obtain a Senior Parachute Rigger certificate?
Key Facts: FAA Parachute Rigger Exam
75
Exam Questions
PRT airman knowledge test
70%
Passing Score
FAA airman testing standard
$175
Exam Fee
PSI testing center
2 hours
Time Limit
Computer-based test
180 days
Reserve Pack Cycle
14 CFR 105.43
20 / 100
Packing Experience
Senior / Master rating
The U.S. parachute industry packs and inspects tens of thousands of reserve canopies each year for skydiving, emergency aircraft bailout, and military/government use. Skydivers complete several million jumps annually at USPA drop zones, and every single one requires a recent reserve repack by a certificated parachute rigger. Aerobatic, glider, and warbird pilots rely on TSO C23 pilot emergency parachutes maintained by riggers. The PRT knowledge test has 75 questions, 2 hours, 70% to pass, $175 fee. Content spans 14 CFR Part 65 Subpart F, FAA-H-8083-17, packing procedures, Cypres/Vigil AADs, and the 180-day reserve cycle in 14 CFR 105.43.
Sample FAA Parachute Rigger Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your FAA Parachute Rigger exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Under 14 CFR Part 65, what is the minimum age required to obtain a Senior Parachute Rigger certificate?
2What is the maximum time interval between packings of a reserve parachute for civil use, per 14 CFR 65.131?
3Which FAA handbook is the primary study reference for the Parachute Rigger knowledge test?
4How many questions are on the FAA Parachute Rigger (PRT) knowledge test?
5What is the minimum passing score on the FAA Parachute Rigger knowledge test?
6Which of the following parachute types is designed to be stowed on the pilot's seat cushion in the aircraft?
7Under 14 CFR 65.125, a Senior Parachute Rigger may pack which of the following?
8Which rigger certificate level is required to perform a major repair on a parachute?
9What is the experience requirement for a Senior Parachute Rigger rating on a specific type?
10What is the experience requirement for a Master Parachute Rigger rating on a specific type?
About the FAA Parachute Rigger Exam
The FAA Parachute Rigger certificate is issued under 14 CFR Part 65 Subpart F and authorizes holders to pack, maintain, and alter personnel parachute assemblies. Riggers come in two grades - Senior (pack reserves of rated types: back, chest, seat, or lap) and Master (plus major repairs, alterations, and supervision of Senior Rigger applicants). The PRT airman knowledge test has 75 multiple-choice questions, a 2-hour limit, and a 70 percent passing score. Civil reserves must be repacked every 180 days by a rated, certificated rigger.
Questions
75 scored questions
Time Limit
2 hours
Passing Score
70%
Exam Fee
$175 (FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) / PSI airman knowledge testing center)
FAA Parachute Rigger Exam Content Outline
14 CFR Part 65 Subpart F Regulations
Rigger privileges, ratings, seal and recordkeeping rules, packing authority, and Part 105 overlap (180-day reserve cycle).
Parachute Types and Components
Back, chest, seat, and lap configurations; ram-air vs round; canopy, harness, container, risers, and sliders.
Packing Procedures
Pro-pack and flat-pack techniques, nose configuration, line stows, slider quartering, and closing sequence.
Inspection and Airworthiness
Canopy fabric, line trim, harness, pin/ripcord, closing loop, pilot chute, and AAD inspection.
Materials and Hardware
F-111 and ZP fabric, Dacron/Spectra/Vectran lines, Type III/VIII webbing, three-ring release, connector links.
AADs and Deployment Systems
Cypres and Vigil operation, pilot chute types (spring, BOC throw-out, pull-out, kill line), RSL, and MARD/Skyhook.
Repairs, Alterations, and TSO C23
Senior vs Master privileges, minor vs major repairs, alterations, service bulletins, and TSO C23 standards.
How to Pass the FAA Parachute Rigger Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 70%
- Exam length: 75 questions
- Time limit: 2 hours
- Exam fee: $175
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
FAA Parachute Rigger Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the FAA Parachute Rigger certificate?
It is an airman certificate issued under 14 CFR Part 65 Subpart F that authorizes a holder to pack, maintain, or alter personnel parachute assemblies. There are two grades: Senior (pack reserves of the type rated - back, chest, seat, or lap) and Master (plus major repairs, alterations, and supervising Senior Rigger applicants). Each rating is type-specific.
What does the PRT knowledge test cover?
The PRT (Parachute Rigger) knowledge test has 75 multiple-choice questions, a 2-hour limit, and a 70% passing score. Topics include 14 CFR Part 65 Subpart F regulations, parachute types and components, packing procedures, inspection, materials, AADs (Cypres/Vigil), deployment systems, repairs and alterations, and TSO C23 standards. The primary study reference is FAA-H-8083-17 (Parachute Rigger Handbook).
What are the eligibility requirements for a Senior Parachute Rigger?
Per 14 CFR 65.111-65.123, a Senior applicant must be at least 18 years old, able to read/speak/write/understand English, have packed at least 20 parachutes of the type sought under the supervision of a certificated rigger or appropriate military rating holder, and pass the PRT knowledge test plus an oral and practical test administered by a Designated Parachute Rigger Examiner (DPRE) or the FAA.
How does Master Parachute Rigger differ from Senior?
A Master Rigger has 3 years of experience as a rigger and has packed at least 100 parachutes of each of two rated types. Masters may perform major repairs and alterations (which Seniors cannot), and they can supervise Senior Rigger applicants' required pack experience. Both ratings remain type-specific - even a Master Rigger must be rated on each type (back, chest, seat, lap) to work on it.
What is the 180-day reserve pack cycle?
Under 14 CFR 105.43 and the rigger recordkeeping rule at 14 CFR 65.131, an auxiliary (reserve) parachute used in civil jumping must have been packed by an appropriately rated certificated rigger within the preceding 180 days. This cycle was extended from 120 days in 2008. Each pack requires an entry on the packing data card with the rigger's name, certificate number, type/rating, and date.
What is TSO C23?
TSO C23 is the FAA Technical Standard Order that sets minimum performance standards for personnel parachute assemblies and components. Revisions (C23b, C23c, C23d, C23f) reference different industry standards (e.g., AS8015B) with weight and speed ratings such as 254 lb at 175 KEAS for standard category under C23d. Manufacturers certify parachutes to a specific TSO revision and category.
What AADs are commonly used in sport parachuting?
Cypres (by Airtec) and Vigil (by Advanced Aerospace Designs) are the most common. An AAD automatically fires a cutter that severs the reserve closing loop if the jumper descends below a preset altitude (typically around 750 feet AGL) while still descending faster than a preset vertical speed. Cypres 2 has a service life of 12.5 years with scheduled maintenance intervals. Riggers must follow manufacturer service bulletins and verify self-test before each pack.
How much does the PRT knowledge test cost and how do I schedule it?
The PRT knowledge test costs $175 at an FAA-authorized PSI testing center. You must first obtain an FAA Tracking Number (FTN) through IACRA. Schedule the test via the PSI FAA portal. After passing the knowledge test, you must complete an oral and practical test with a Designated Parachute Rigger Examiner (DPRE) or the FAA to be issued the certificate.