Flying Circus
Let’s start with rigging. To understand rigging is to recognize how the arrangement of the individual audio components making up each chain motor point interacts with the stresses placed on those components. It’s very easy to put large loads on the rigging system. even while hanging only moderate weight – if one does not have knowledge about how it works.
The angles between the steel cables making up bridals are a very important variable in the rigging equation of load and tension. As bridal points get farther apart for a given leg length, those legs get flatter and flatter toward horizontal. The tension in those legs goes up exponentially! Any bridals that contain flat bridal legs should raise a red flag.
The key is knowing exactly what the angle of the cable is, and the weight of the load being hung, in order to calculate the tension being created along the steel cable leg (generally the weakest link). This, in comparison to the weight rating of the steel.
There are many ways to skin a cat (or fly a rig), but a good rigger will always find a safe way to hang the load. Or it will not be hung. In my role as ASE, when I see things I perceive as dangerous, I ask the rigger about it. If a satisfactory answer is lacking, you’re probably in trouble and must carefully consider your next move.
Riggers traveling with touring shows are generally very knowledgeable and do a good job of overseeing the local guys at each tour stop. If working on a regional or local level, even more caution should be taken to observe what is happening with the steel during load in.
Rigging hardware must be in good working order and used properly to safely perform its function. There must be awareness of the real world limits of all of the elements involved when hanging thousands of pounds over people’s heads.
Mind you, understanding these concepts doesn’t make me a rigger. They must have a much deeper understanding of their craft and an ability to do solid math in their heads fluidly each morning while running around a venue floor and yelling to their brothers in the ceiling.
But a good ASE will understand the basic concepts, to the point of being able to look up at the rig and recognize if there’s a potential for a problem. Most riggers are human, like the rest of us, and are glad to explain if something is troubling.