FAA Senior Rigger Program
About This Program
The ASCEND Foundation Senior Rigger Program is a career-advancement access program designed to remove the financial, instructional, and logistical barriers to earning the FAA Senior Parachute Rigger certification. The program provides a fully supported pathway through reserve parachute rigging instruction and preparation for the FAA Designated Parachute Rigger Examiner (DPRE) evaluation, culminating in successful certification.
ASCEND funds and coordinates structured instruction, individualized mentorship, reserve packing preparation, required travel and lodging for training and testing, DPRE evaluation costs, and essential rigging tools needed to perform reserve work. Instruction is delivered through a focused, high-touch training model intended to prepare candidates for the technical, regulatory, and professional responsibilities associated with FAA rigging certification.
Successful completion of the program results in FAA Senior Parachute Rigger certification and readiness to perform reserve parachute rigging work in professional drop zone and rigging environments. This program is not intended as a discounted or casual path to a rating, but as structured access to competent, professional rigging preparation.
This Program Includes:
Full financial coverage of:
Training costs associated with reserve parachute rigging instruction aligned with FAA requirements
Required testing costs andDPRE (Designated Parachute Rigger Examiner) evaluation fees
Required travel and lodging for training and certification, when applicable
Essential rigging tools needed to perform professional reserve work
Individualized mentorship technical guidance throughout training
Structured preparation for the Written, Oral, and Practical Evaluations
If you have the desire to learn and the drive to succeed, this program ensures that cost and confusion are no factor.
Who Is This Program For? ✈
This program is designed for individuals who have already developed competency as main parachute packers and are seeking to advance into FAA-regulated parachute rigging work. It is well suited for candidates who understand parachute packing as professional, safety-critical work and are ready to take on the increased technical responsibility, regulatory accountability, and attention to detail required of a certificated parachute rigger. Successful applicants are those who demonstrate discipline, precision, consistency, and a willingness to be held to objective standards of performance.
This program may not be a good fit for individuals who have not yet developed practical experience with main parachute packing or who are looking for an introductory or exploratory experience. It is also not appropriate for those seeking a casual or expedited path to a rating without engaging in structured instruction, mentorship, and evaluation. Reserve parachute rigging carries legal and safety responsibilities that demand patience, focus, and professional judgment; applicants who are not prepared for that level of responsibility may find this program to be a poor fit.
Eligibility & Qualifications ✈
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Candidates must be at least 18 years old to be considered for this program.
Applicants must be physically capable of performing the demands of parachute rigging work, including prolonged standing, repetitive hand and arm movements, precise fine-motor tasks, lifting and manipulating equipment, and maintaining focus during detailed, time-sensitive work.
Applicants must be medically capable of participating in hands-on rigging instruction and evaluation. ASCEND does not conduct medical evaluations; fitness for participation is determined by the training provider and FAA requirements.
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The FAA states that all certified parachute riggers must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English.
Applicants must be competent main parachute packers prior to selection. This may be demonstrated through prior professional packing experience, completion of an approved packing training program, or other verified experience acceptable to ASCEND. While prior completion of ASCEND’s Main Packer Program automatically satisfies this requirement, it is not required and external experience will also be considered.
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No prior ratings are currently required to apply though this is subject to change as the FAA Main Parachute Packer Certification is currently pending approval.
The Application Process ✈
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The application typically takes 45–60 minutes to complete. It includes written responses intended to understand an applicant’s interest in parachute rigging as a professional pathway and their readiness for the demands of the program. The application is intentionally thorough, but not excessive, and does not require document uploads for this program.
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Yes. The application includes short written questions focused on understanding an applicant’s interest in parachute rigging as a professional pathway and their readiness for the demands of the program. All applicants who move forward in the process will participate in an interview with members of ASCEND’s Selection Committee. References are required for this program.
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Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed as organizational capacity allows. Each application is initially screened to confirm baseline eligibility, then reviewed by ASCEND’s Selection Committee using a structured evaluation process. Qualified applicants are invited to interview as part of the review cycle. Because this is a rolling process, review timing may vary based on application volume and program availability.
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Candidates are selected through a structured review process led by ASCEND’s Selection Committee. Applications are evaluated based on demonstrated commitment, readiness for progression, and alignment with the program’s career-advancement intent. Interviews are used to better understand each applicant’s goals, expectations, and ability to meet the demands of professional parachute rigging training. Selection is competitive, and not all qualified applicants will be selected. Final decisions are made to ensure program resources are directed toward candidates most likely to successfully complete the program and pursue a professional pathway in the industry.
Ready to Apply?
If this program feels like a strong fit for you, we’d love to learn more about you. We’re looking for motivated individuals who are ready to commit the time and effort required to progress through training with purpose and accountability.
If you’re excited about the challenge and curious about what’s possible, we encourage you to take the next step and apply. We look forward to learning more about you and your goals.