Progression
So, you have finished RAPS / AFF and got your CH1 and A License. where do you go now? This page shows you what can you do next in skydiving (apart from having fun!) and the requirements for the Licenses.
So, you have finished RAPS / AFF and got your CH1 and A License. where do you go now? This page shows you what can you do next in skydiving (apart from having fun!) and the requirements for the Licenses.
A license = CH1 + Cat 8
Read the CH1 manual (very short dont worry).
Complete the CH1 test (open book).
Increase the range of the canopy using steering toggles on at least 3 descents.
Complete flat turns on at least 3 descents.
Display a reasonable level of canopy control (safe landing pattern and fairly accurate).
B license allows you to wear a full face helmet, which is very useful for FS and the cold, and you are more likely to be allowed to jump in slightly iffy or high wind conditions.
B license = A license + CH2 + JM1 + 50 jumps
• Read the CH2 manual.
• Complete the test.
• Complete 5 out of 10 pre-declared, safe, landings within an area of 30m in diameter.
• Increase the range of the canopy using front and rear risers on at least 3 descents.
• Rear riser turn as an avoidance manoeuvre on at least 3 descents.
Demonstrate the ability to spot correctly from an altitude of at least 10,000 feet.
• Brief.
• Practical spotting – decide what direction you want to run in at and tell the pilot, and where you want to get out. If the pilot is not in the correct place you need to give them instructions such as “five left”. You will also do a widi pass at 2000ft where you chuck out the widi when you are over the cross and see where it lands, you then know you want to get out that distance away from the cross but in the other direction.
Familiar with and able to carry out the duties and responsibilities of a jumpmaster.
• Receive an introduction to the BPA Operations Manual.
• Brief.
• Test.
• Be familiar with and able to carry out flight line checking on other parachutists.
• Able to undertake packing, inspection and basic fault-finding on a ram-air canopy.
If you own your own canopy a log book endorsement from the CCI is good enough (this entitles you to pack your own canopy in your own container for your own use, but not any other canopy or container for anyone else).
If you don’t have your own kit you need to get your packing certificate. This consists of learning how to pack, perform basic monthly maintenance and do a tangle test. This is more time consuming than a log book endorsement but is worthwhile as it allows you to pack for other people (money). To pack other kit all you need to do is have an instructor / rigger watch you one and sign of that kind of canopy / container / deployment system on the certificate.
C License entitles you to wear a camera helmet and camera (at CCI’s discretion) and, again, you are more likely to be allowed to jump in high / iffy wind conditions.
C license = B license + one further qualification + 200 jumps
The further qualification can include FS1, FF1, or CF1 (but it is unlikely you will get that before FS1 / FF1).
Having a D License makes you a super keen skygod and probably bankrupt. Its unlikely you will get to D license any time soon!
D license = C license + 1000 jumps
The aim of Formation Skydiving 1 is to teach you all the basic movements you need to use for safe formation skydiving. As well as the freefall skills, alti awareness, attention to break off heights and a good track are all vital skills that you need to pass you FS1.
You have to complete the 8 warp levels with an FS coach:
1. Body Position, forward and backwards movement.
2. slow fall, fast fall.
3. 90 degree turns left and right in place.
4. 180 degree and 360 degree turns left and right in place.
5. Side sliding left and right.
6. Swoop to pin.
7. 3-Way
8. 4-Way
There is confusion with alot of people whether this is a 4 point 4-way or a 6 point 4-way. the new giudlins say it is a 6 point 4-way and this really shouldn't be a problem from 15,000ft at a turbine DZ. Remember, if you do not check your alti, signal break off and have a good track you will not pass. The coach may also watch your canopy handling to ensure you are safe in traffic and may take this into consideration.
This skydive has to be on video and will be shown to the CCI who will award you with your FS1 sticker if they are satisfied you performed safely and well.
Freefly 1 is the basic head up qualification and introduces you to the elements of controlled head up (sit and stand) freeflying. Before you have you FF1 you are not allowed to freefly with other people unless they are a coach, however, if they are very experienced the CCI may allow you to jump with them at their discretion.
You will need to get coaching to learn how to freefly, and once you are ready you put all the skills together into one dive and get it videoed.
You need to:
1. Fly in a controlled sit/ stand position
2. Control fall rate in a sit/ stand position
3. Control forward and backward movement in a sit/ stand position
4. Control turns in both directions in a sit/ stand position
5. Fly relative to others in a sit/ stand position
6. Check your alti regularly.
7. Have good awareness of where the coach is at break off and show a good track (either front or back track).
Freefly 2 is the next stage in freeflying, and teaches you the basics of controlled safe head down flying. It is not recommended you try head down until you are extremely competent in head up.
You need to:
1. Have FF1
2. Fly in a controlled head down position
3. Control fall rate in a head down position
4. Control turns in both directions in a head down position
5. Fly relative to others in a head down position
6. Display independent body movement in a head down position, e.g. hand claps.
8. Check your alti regularly.
7. Have good awareness of where the coach / others are at break off and show a good track.
Some of these qualification involve extremely advanced skills (e.g. SS1, SS2, CP1 and CP2) and it is highly unlikely that you will achieve them while you are at Leeds (or ever!).
CF1 – Canopy Formation 1
8. Approach a target canopy.
9. Control 3D movement, in relation to other canopies (up, down, forwards, backwards and sideslip).
10. Achieve ‘docking’ techniques.
11. Pilot a 4-stack/plane.
12. Dock 4th on a 4-stack/plane.
13. Spot for CF from at least 8,000 ft AGL.
IS1 – Individual Style 1
1. The parachutist must spot, and complete a ‘full series’ with precision in 16 seconds (x 2 360 degree turns and a backloop).
This is a bit harder than it sounds, you must stop exactly on heading!
SS1 - Skysurf 1
1. Jump a board of at least 3 feet in length and deploy in a “stand up” position
2. Perform a stable “surfing down the slipstream” type exit
3. Perform a controlled 360 degree turn in both directions whilst upright on the board
4. Perform a controlled back or front loop on the board
5. Demonstrate forward movement by tracking whilst upright on the board
SS2 – Skysurf 2
1. SS1
2. Perform a controlled seated turn of 720 degrees (sit spin), starting and stopping on heading.
3. Perform a controlled “helicopter” spin, rotating a minimum of 3 times 360 degrees but not exceeding 6 complete revolutions
4. Perform a full 360 degree backloop or frontloop with a half twist from a standing position, under control.
CP1 – Canopy Piloting 1
• C certificate and CH2 holder with at least 200 jumps.
• Proficient at conducting canopy drills (360°, 180°, 90° turns, and straight on approaches) at altitudes above 3,000 feet.
• Safe, high performance landings, using front risers during a straight on approach, on at least 5 consecutive descents.
• Safe, high performance landings, using a front riser to create a final approach turn of between 45° and 90°, on at least 5 consecutive descents.
• Safe, high performance landings, using a front riser to create a final approach turn of between 90° and 180°, on at least 5 consecutive descents.
• CP1 written test successfully completed
CP2 - Canopy Piloting 2
• D certificate / CP1 holder with at least 1,000 jumps.
• Has logged 500 high performance swoop landings including 100 in the previous 12 month.
• Safe, high performance runs, over a minimum 185ft long, 30ft wide carving course, that consists of 10ft vertical markers with a defined entry and exit gate on at least 3 pre-declared consecutive descents.
Interested? Then come along to our social or email us natalie@skydiveleeds.co.uk or
nick@skydiveleeds.co.uk
To contact the site admin, email antonio@skydiveleeds.co.uk
The information and views provided in these webpages are not those of Leeds University Union. They are those of LUU Skydiving Club.