Course Catalog - The Chicago Flyhouse, Inc.

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Learn, connect, and talk with other Flyhouse regulars during our FREE interactive live sessions.

Codes, Standards and Risk Assessment

Highlighting the expanding role that codes and standards play in all entertainment industry work.

Automation Basics

An introduction to the basic parts of an automated system.

Design Factor and Hardware Selection

Highlighting the role that Design Factor and Hardware Selection play in all entertainment industry work.

Bridle Math

Highlighting the role that Bridle Math plays in all entertainment industry work.

Hanging Hardware I

A look at wire rope and cable termination across the entertainment industry.

Managing Out-of-Weight Situations

A panel of Flyhouse trainers will demonstrate a variety of ways to secure arbors during loading.

Forces and Loads

A review of some basic physics concepts that affect rigging work.

Hanging Hardware II

A review of the proper use of less common hardware, picking up where Hanging Hardware I left off.

Truss Use and Inspection

Offering users a basic understanding of how truss works, and how to work with it in a safe manner.

Cable Terminations

A live instruction on making terminations using copper oval compression sleeves (Nicopress) and wire rope clips.

Counterweight System Inspections

Aimed at venue managers and technical directors, this class covers when, why, and how to inspect your counterweight system.

Program Planning for Fall Protection

Helping institutional managers ensure they have accounted for all the requirements of a fall protections program.

Ropes and Knots

Technicians need to have a solid understanding of rope construction, rope care, and a variety of knots.

Hardware Practicum

A follow up to Hanging Hardware I and II, with further insights and live demonstrations.

Advanced Automation Electricity

Tired of learning from lighting techs? Electricity and electrical components, from an automation perspective.

Facility Construction and Renovation

A look at the process from several perspectives, with real-world examples and pros and cons.

Understanding MEWP Standards

Recent years have brought new A92 standards for aerial lifts. We review these new standards, plus all the basic rules.

Math Review: Exploring the ETCP Formula Sheet

Taking the test, already certified, or reviewing your skills? We will show examples of the formulas in action, and answer your questions.

Breaking Lab: Cable

Let’s break some cables! A look at termination methods, cable glides, circus hitches, and more. Bring questions!

Perspectives: Teaching Automation

Industry pros on teaching automation. Panel Discussion: bring your questions and ideas!

Fall Protection Overview

Are you new to working at heights or an experienced rigger looking for a review? Brush up on the basics of fall protection in this overview class.

Perspectives: Why Automate?

Including automation can be exciting but it requires careful consideration.

Math Review: Practice Problems

You asked for it: guided help with bridle and other math. Learn to see the problem and find the solution.

Perspectives Teaching Rigging

A lively discussion about good rigging, how to teach it, and all the essential skills.

Scenery Hanging Techniques

Rigging scenery to fly is where knowledge of structure and knowledge of rigging must come together. As always, bring questions!

Motorized Rigging Inspection

Gearboxes, encoders, and limits, oh my! Walk through an inspection of a motorized hoist—and likely problems. Learn about machines from those who built them.

Chain Hoists: Design and Use

Chain hoists are used all over the industry but staying up to date can be a challenge. Special guest Dave Carmack.

Advanced Automation Troubleshooting

The curtain goes up in half an hour and the lift won’t lift! Now what? Using automation means troubleshooting automation.

Creative Problem Solving

We share real examples from the Flyhouse archives—plus your own challenging situations.

Fall Protection: Lifelines and Self-Retracting Devices

Horizontal lifelines and self-retracting devices are critical components in the safety system.

Accident Analysis: Indiana State Fair

This 2011 collapse was a terrible tragedy and a watershed moment for the entertainment industry. We'll discuss lessons learned.

Perspectives: COVID-19 and Worker Safety

Panel discussion on current laws, the transition back to work, the "new abnormal," and more.

Perspectives: Engineering and Entertainment

Engineering has never been more important. With real world examples, and your own questions.

Counterweight System Basics

Saturday School! For teachers, venue managers and others who can't attend weekday classes.

Truss Week

A week-long series and deep dive into how truss is conceived, designed engineered and built.

Chain Hoists: Troubleshooting

What do you do when the hoist doesn’t work? Where do you start looking for the problems?

Truss Loading Practice

A guided practice looking at loading situations on truss. With plenty of tips and tricks!

Track and Drape Rigging

Drapes are used in nearly every entertainment venue—in this course we cover them from A to Z. Bring questions!

Load Cells

A deep dive into how load cells work, with experts from Broadweigh—a leading load cell manufacturer. Bring questions!

Perspectives: Planning for Safe Rigging

Learn to identify things any rigger can do to stack the deck toward efficiency and safety.

Small-Scale Failure Analysis

Big failures are well known in the industry. Here we turn our focus to smaller scale incidents.

Stage Hydraulics

When something big and heavy needs to move on stage, hydraulic machines often come to the rescue.

Risk and Performer Rigging

A discussion-style class about risk as it relates to rigging performers. Bring questions and stories!

Insider Perks

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