2007 SIM

1. License requirements are intended to encourage the development of the knowledge and skills that should be acquired by each skydiver as experience is gained.

2. USPA licenses, recognized in all FAI member countries, serve as official documentation that the stated experience and skills have been attained.

3. Licenses are a valuable instructional tool in that they serve both as goals to be accomplished and as a guideline to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to provide a reasonable level of safety and enjoyment.

4. USPA license authority

a. The United States Parachute Association is authorized by the National Aeronautic Association and the Federation Aeronautique Internationale to issue internationally recognized sporting licenses.

b. Licenses are issued based upon demonstration of skill, knowledge, and experience and are ranked according to the level of accomplishment.

B. General conditions for licenses

1. USPA licenses are valid only while the holder is a current regular USPA member; there is no other renewal requirement.

2. USPA licenses are valid in all FAI member countries and, while valid, entitle the holder to participate in open skydiving events organized in FAI member countries.

3. USPA issues licenses only to USPA members who meet the conditions set forth for that license.

4. License qualifications made during military training jumps that meet the BSRs may be properly recorded on the application for that USPA license and verified by the appropriate USPA official.

5. Total freefall time is defined to include both freefall and droguefall time.

6. USPA licenses may be refused, suspended, or revoked only when authorized by the USPA Board of Directors or in compliance with existing USPA Board directives.

C. Logging jumps for licenses and ratings

1. Skydives offered as evidence of qualification must have been:

a. made in accordance with the USPA requirements in effect at the time of the jump

b. legibly recorded in chronological order in an appropriate log that contains the following information:

(1) jump number

(2) date

(3) location

(4) exit altitude

(5) freefall length (time)

(6) type of jump (formation skydiving, freeflying, canopy formation, style, etc.)

(7) landing distance from the target

(8) equipment used

(9) verifying signature

2. Jumps for license and rating qualifications must be signed by another licensed skydiver, a pilot, or a USPA National or FAI Judge who witnessed the jump.

3. Jumps to meet skill requirements must be signed by a USPA Instructor, Instructor Examiner, Safety & Training Advisor, or a member of the USPA Board of Directors.

D. Verification of Application

1. Experience verification: The certifying official should verify that the number of jumps and total freefall time are correct and meet the listed requirements for the license sought.

2. Skill verification: Jump numbers, scores, or date of completion require the initials of a current USPA Instructor, S&TA, I/E, or USPA Board member.

3. Knowledge verification: For the B and C license, the certifying official should record the qualifying exam score on the application.

4. Signature Verification: Applications for all licenses must be signed by an appropriate official (as listed in this Section) before the application is forwarded to USPA Headquarters.

a. USPA Instructors may verify A, and B, and C licenses.

b. S&TAs, I/Es, and USPA Board members may verify any license application.

5. Federation Aeonautique Internationale (foreign non-USPA) to USPA license conversions

a. Jumpers who hold an FAI equivalent license may apply for USPA equivalent license without completion of the USPA A License Proficiency Card or A License Progression Card.

(1) A USPA rated instructor must verify the FAI license of the applicant.

(2) A copy of the license must be included with the USPA license application.

(3) All other license requirements for USPA B, C and D licenses must still be verified and initialed by a USPA Instructor.

b. The USPA license application and a copy of the FAI license must be submitted to USPA Headquarters for processing.

6. USPA will charge a separate license fee for each license number issued.

E. License privileges and requirements

A License

1. Persons holding a USPA A license may jump without supervision, pack their own main parachute, engage in basic group jumps, perform water jumps, and must have-

a. completed 25 jumps

b. completed all requirements listed on the USPA A License Proficiency Card

c. completed five group freefall skydives involving at least two participants

d. received the signature and official stamp on the USPA A License Proficiency Card or USPA A License Progression Card (ISP)

Note: For USPA A-license registration purposes only, USPA Headquarters will accept either completed card signed by a USPA Instructor without the official stamp. The registration fee must be included.

B License

2. Persons holding a USPA B license are able to exercise all privileges of an A-license holder, perform night jumps, with 100 jumps are eligible for the USPA Coach Rating, and must have-

a. obtained a USPA A license

b. completed 50 jumps including:

(1) accumulated at least 30 minutes of controlled freefall time

(2) landed within ten meters of target center on ten jumps

c. aerial performance requirements, either:

(1) demonstrated the ability to perform individual maneuvers (left 360, right 360, backloop, left 360, right 360, backloop) in freefall in 18 seconds or less

(2) or successful completion of the planned formation(s) on ten group freefall jumps

d. documentation of live water landing training with full equipment in accordance with the procedures in the Skydiver's Information Manual

e. passed a written exam conducted by a current USPA I, I/E, S&TA, or USPA Board member.

C License

3. Persons holding a USPA C license are able to exercise all privileges of a B-license holder, are eligible for the USPA Instructor rating (except USPA Tandem Instructor), participate in certain demonstration jumps, may ride as passenger on USPA Tandem Instructor training and rating renewal jumps, and must have--

a. met all current requirements for or hold a USPA B license

b. completed 200 jumps, including accumulating at least 60 minutes of controlled freefall time

c. landed within two meters of target center on 25 jumps

d. aerial performance requirements, either:

(1) during freefall, perform in sequence within 18 seconds-a backloop, front loop, left 360-degree turn, right 360-degree turn, right barrel roll and left barrel roll

(2) completed at least two points on an 8-way or larger random skydive

e. Passed a written exam conducted by a current USPA I/E, S&TA, or USPA Board member.

D License

4. Persons holding a USPA D license are able to exercise all privileges of a C-license holder, are eligible for all USPA ratings, and must have-

a. met all current requirements for or hold a USPA C license

b. completed 500 jumps including accumulating at least three hours of controlled freefall time

c. made two night jumps (one solo and one in a group) with a freefall of at least 20 seconds

(1) with verification of prior night-jump training from a USPA Instructor holding a USPA D license

(2) with the advice of an S&TA, in accordance with USPA BSRs

d. Passed the written USPA D license exam conducted by a current USPA I/E, S&TA, or USPA Board member.

F. Restricted USPA licenses

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1. Under extreme circumstances, such as physical handicaps, a USPA Restricted license may be issued to applicants who are unable to meet all of the specific license requirements.

2. A person may be qualified for a Restricted license if the rating holder has (all of the following):

a. submitted a petition to the Safety & Training Committee, containing:

(1) type of license requested

(2) specific license requirement(s) which cannot be met

(3) circumstances which prevent compliance with license requirements

(4) license application completed, except for the restricted activities

b. met all requirements for the license desired except for those listed in the petition

3. Each application will be considered individually on its own merit, totally without precedent.

4. Restricted license numbers will be followed by the letter "R" (e.g., C-11376R).

Section 3-2: License Exam and Application Procedures

Contents:
A. License exam instructions
B. Presenting a completed license application
C. License application checklist

A. License exam instructions

1. A license:

a. The examining USPA Instructor conducts an oral quiz of at least 20 questions taken from the USPA Integrated Student Program syllabus, with emphasis on the following:

(1) cloud clearance and visibility requirements

(2) equipment operation and maintenance

(i) wing loading and its effects

(ii) closing loop

(ii) velcro and tuck flaps

(ii) packing and authorization to pack

(3) canopy flight

(i) traffic patterns and collision avoidance

(ii) braked turns and obstacle avoidance

(iii) low turn avoidance and recovery

(iv) downwind landing procedures

(v) obstacle landing emergency and recovery procedures

(4) aircraft procedures

(i) during jump run and exit to observe balance limits

(ii) distance between groups to maintain separation

(iii) aircraft emergency procedures

(5) group breakoff recommendations

(6) parachute emergency procedures

(i) deployment malfunctions

(ii) cutaway decide-and-act altitude

(iii) two-canopies-deployed scenarios

(7) accountability for FAR compliance

b. The examining USPA Instructor conducts or arranges the review training required for the student to answer all questions correctly.

c. The examining USPA Instructor conducts a skydive with the applicant to verify practical knowledge in the following areas:

(1) choosing the spot and selecting and guiding the pilot to the correct exit and opening point in routine conditions

(2) pre-jump equipment checks for self and others

(3) planning an effective group break-off

(4) right 360, left 360, and a backloop

(5) docking from 20 feet (evaluator flies into position)

(6) breakoff altitude recognition and tracking for a minimum of 100 feet

(7) signal before deployment and overall awareness during and after deployment

(8) planning and flying a logical landing pattern that promotes a smooth traffic flow and avoids other jumpers

(9) packing and preparing equipment for the next jump

d. Once the student has successfully completed the A-license check dive and answered all questions correctly on the exam, the certifying USPA Instructor may sign the student's A License Proficiency Card or the approved equivalent and apply the official USPA A-license stamp as proof of license qualification.

2. For B, C, and D licenses, the examining USPA official:

a. gives the applicant an answer sheet and the questions to the exam

(1) No references or other assistance are permitted during the exam.

(2) After the test, the examining official collects the materials and grades the exam.

(3) A score of 75% (15 correct answers or more) is required to pass.

b. The score is recorded on the license application and in the applicant's logbook.

(1) The applicant not passing will be eligible to retake this exam after seven days.

(2) To qualify for a higher license, the applicant must possess a USPA license, meet all qualifications for lower licenses, and have passed all lower-class license exams.

B. Presenting a completed license application

1. A license

a. The completed A license Proficiency Card signed by the certifying USPA Instructor and bearing the official A-license stamp, is proof of a USPA A license.

b. An A license holder may permanently register the license with USPA by sending a copy with the appropriate license registration fee:

(1) Fax both sides of the completed license application to USPA with a credit card authorization.

(2) Photocopy both sides of the completed license application and mail it with payment.

(3) A completed and signed A-License applications need not be stamped to be registered with USPA (USPA keeps a copy of all USPA Instructor signatures on file); however, an A License Proficiency Card is not considered official unless stamped or until a license number is issued.

2. B, C, and D license applicants may mail or fax their completed application with the appropriate fee to USPA Headquarters.

3. Once any new license has been registered with USPA, the applicant will receive a new membership card with the license number, which is also published in Parachutist Magazine.

C. License application checklist

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1. The verifying official signing the license application should check that each of these items has been completed:

a. applicant's personal information

b. experience verification

(1) number of jumps

(2) freefall time, if applicable

c. skill verification

2. The official verifies (by initialing) either that:

a. The jump number, date, or score for each requirement is correct and can be found in the applicant's logbook.

b. If applicable, the applicant's appropriate license number is included with the application.

3. Official verifying B, C and D licenses should check that the written exam answer sheet is complete with a passing score.

4. Sign and print name, title, and date in the space provided on the application.

Section 3-3: Ratings

Contents:
A. USPA instructional ratings
B. USPA PRO Professional Exhibition Rating
C. USPA Judge rating
D. FAA ratings

A. USPA instructional ratings

USPA issues instructional ratings to each skydiver who qualifies by fulfilling all requirements for the rating being sought. These ratings attest that the holder has not only achieved skydiving skills but has also demonstrated the techniques needed to teach these skills to others.

1. Ratings are issued at the following levels (from lowest to highest):

a. Coach

b. Instructor

c. Instructor Examiner

2. USPA Instructors may be qualified to conduct initial skydiving training in one or more disciplines:

a. harness hold (USPA Accelerated Freefall or AFF)

b. instructor-assisted deployment

c. static line

d. tandem

The USPA Coach may act as a supervised assistant to the USPA Instructor to teach specified portions of the first-jump course. Any USPA instructional rating holder may perform the duties of the USPA Coach or of any lower rating holder in his or her discipline.

USPA appoints qualified instructional rating holders as course directors and evaluators in accordance with the requirements outlined in the USPA Instructional Rating Manual. All policies, procedures, new rating and renewal requirements, and the rating course outlines, support materials and examinations are found in the USPA Instructional Rating Manual.

B. USPA PRO Professional Exhibition Rating

The Federal Aviation Administration and USPA cooperate on an alternative means for skydivers to demonstrate competence to perform skydiving shows before the public via a USPA PRO Exhibition rating. The program is described in the Exhibition Jumping Section of the SIM. The FAA may ask jumpers who do not hold a USPA PRO rating to demonstrate competence prior to issuing a Certificate of Authorization to conduct a parachute exhibition jump.

C. USPA Judge rating

To assist in the administration of skydiving competitions at various levels from local and regional to World Championships, USPA conducts the USPA Judges program. Judges are rated as Regional, National, and International. Details on the USPA Judge rating program and the National Judge Training Course are detailed in the USPA Skydiver's Competition Manual.

D. FAA ratings