FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Where are you located?

We are located at Skydive City drop zone located in Zephyrhills, Florida. Our address is 4241 Sky Dive Lane
Zephyrhills, FL 33542

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What are the USPA tandem rating requirements?

Must have USPA membership
Hold a USPA Coach Rating
Hold a USPA D-license.
Have a current FAA class 3 medical
Pre-requisites on the USPA Tandem proficiency Card should be signed off

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Do I need to get a rating from the tandem manufacturer?

Yes. You need a UPT rating to jump a Sigma and/or Vector tandem system, a Strong tandem rating to jump a Strong tandem rig and a rating from JumpShack to jump a Racer system. USPA group member dropzones require all tandem instructors to hold the USPA Tandem Instructor rating in addition to the factory rating. Please go to the pages for each rating for more detailed information.

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If I need multiple ratings, can I cross train to receive ratings for each system?

Yes. You can get cross trained to another tandem system after you have at least 25 jumps on one system. The manufacturer must approve the rating you have. Crosstraining is a shorter process to get the rating as less examination jumps are required. If you need two ratings right away, it requires two full tandem rating courses for each rating.

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How long does it take to complete the tandem rating course?

The tandem rating course will take 2 to 3 days (weather permitting). The course consists of one day of classroom with lots of practical training and correction of the written exams.

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How many jumps are made in the tandem instructor course?

There are 5 jumps in the course. One solo jump with the rig, one where you are the passenger and three evaluation jumps where you are the tandem instructor.

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What is the process of earning a UPT Sigma Tandem Rating?

Earning the UPT Sigma Tandem rating is a 3 step process.

The UPT Tandem course with 5 course jumps under supervision of a UPT Examiner.
5 Tandem jumps with an experienced jumper. We offer the option of making the phase 2 jumps with SkydiveRatings staff for continuous education. We have developed a special program to further build your confidence and skill as a tandem instructor. This program is optional.
The probationary period, where you can take actual passengers, but are on probation until you have a total of 25 tandem jumps. At that point the rating will get issued by UPT.

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What are the pre-requisites needed for a UPT Sigma Tandem rating?

PRE-REQUISITES:

18 years of age
at least 500 ram-air jumps
3 years in the sport
USPA D-license or foreign equivalent
Hold an instructional rating
Hold an FAA class 3 medical certificate or foreign equivalent

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How should I prepare for the UPT Sigma Tandem Rating course?

PREPARATION:

The Sigma Manual is the course book. It is recommended to print the manual from United Parachute Technologies web-site prior to the course or bring your laptop or tablet. We want you to make the Sigma Tandem exam at home prior to the course. Just let us know that you need the test questions and we will send you the documents and a link to the manuals. Please write the answers on a sheet of paper and bring them to the course. Any questions you don't know the answers to can be left open. If you need a Vector Tandem rating as well let us know. In that case you have to make the Vector exam in addition.

We will be happy to send you the exam questions.

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Is there anything I need to bring for the UPT Sigma Tandem Rating course?

Yes. Please bring copies of:

USPA membership card with D-license number and Coach or Instructor rating endorsement
Copy of a current FAA class 3 medical certificate
logbooks showing 500 jumps and 3 years in the sport

For the course jumps you will need:

Baggy jumpsuit
Open face helmet or leather hat
If you own one please bring your audible

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If I already possess a current Tandem Instructor rating from another manufacturer can I get crossed over to the Vector/Sigma rating?

Yes. To qualify for cross-training you must:

Hold a current Tandem rating from another approved manufacturer
Show documentation of at least 25 jumps on this system (UPT needs copies of logbook entries)
Meet all the requirements of the initial UPT tandem course (see above)

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How can I best prepare to cross train for the UPT Sigma Vector tandem rating?

The course books is the the Sigma Tandem manual from UPT. It is available on UPT's web-site. To pass the course you must make the Sigma Tandem written exam.We want you to make the tests at home, write the answers on a sheet of paper and bring them to the course.

You need to bring copies of:

Current tandem rating
Logbook entries with 25 tandem jumps
FAA class 3 medical certificate
USPA membership card with D-license number and Instructional rating endorsement

The course consists of some classroom and a minimum of 2 evaluation jumps. The Vector and Sigma tandem written exams will be corrected during the course before the jumps begin.

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What are the AFF Rating Requirements?

To participate in a USPA AFF rating course you need the following:

be 18 years old
USPA membership
USPA C-license. Starting January 1, 2013 USPA only accepts USPA Licenses.
We can help you with the USPA License application.
be a USPA coach or Instructor from another discipline(IAD, S.L or USPA
Tandem)
if you hold the Coach rating for less than 12 months you need to have at least 500 jumps
Documentation of 6 hours of accumulated free fall time
Have the pre-course activities in your USPA online profile signed off

Foreign candidates need to show an FAI C License. The FAI logo must be on your license. If your license does not have this, you need to contact your national organization and ask for an FAI License. Most countries will issue them on request.

If you are not able to get an FAI license you can do the USPA license tests when you get with us. To obtain the C-license all previous license requirements need to be met as well and the previous license tests need to be made. USPA requires a copy of your FAI license with the AFF Instructor application.

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If I'm not from the US, what license do I need in order to take your USPA AFF Course?

Foreign candidates need to show an FAI C License. The FAI logo must be on your license. If your license does not have this, you need to contact your national organization and ask for an FAI License. Most countries will issue them on request.

If you are not able to get an FAI license you can do the USPA license tests when you get with us. To obtain the C-license all previous license requirements need to be met as well and the previous license tests need to be made. USPA requires a copy of your FAI license with the AFF Instructor application.

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What is AFF pre-course training?

We start our AFF courses with AFF pre-course training. SkydiveRatings has developed a pre-course program which has proven since 1993, to prepare candidates to be succesful in the AFF rating course. During the AFF pre-course you will receive coaching in the specific AFF in-air skills:

flying hard exits,
slot flying with a moving student
reading the students body position
properly presenting handsignals,
stopping spins,
rolling over an inverted student
assisting with deployment including pulling for the student.

The pre-course will prepare you 100% for the evaluation jumps. After each jump you will receive a recommendation from your evaluator.If you like we can organize windtunnel training for you as well (Florida courses) If you would like to receive our AFF pre-course modules, just send us an email and ask for AFF course info. (info@skydiveratings.com)

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What can I expect when coming for the AFF Rating Course?

After the first day of Pre-course there is a full day of class. Once the class is completed we can start with evaluations. However we allow candidates to continue to make practice jumps if they are not ready for the "hot jumps" yet. On average an AFF rating course takes 4-5 days to complete depending on the size of the group and weather conditions.

To pass the course you need to score satisfactory on:

Category C main side evaluation jump
Category C reserve side evaluation jump
Category D evaluation jump
Category C and D ground preparation
score 80 % on the IRM written exam

To score satisfactory on an evaluation jump you have to score 75 % satisfactory on the AFF in air evaluation form. You can find the evaluation forms in the IRM. The scoring will be explained to you during the AFF pre-course and you will know exactly what we are looking for.

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Is it possible to challenge the AFF Rating Course?

Yes. If you hold an expired AFF rating or a foreign AFF rating you may be able to challenge the AFF rating course. Send us an email for further information and we will tell you everything about it. info@SkydiveRatings.com

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I'm unsure if I have the skills to take the course, is it possible to make some try out jumps?

Yes. If you like to know where you stand before signing up for a course come see us and make a practice jump with us. Besides the cost of the jump tickets there is no charge for this service.

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What are the costs associated with the AFF rating course?

You may view all costs for the AFF Rating Course by viewing this page.

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What are the Static Line and IAD Course Requirements?

To participate in a USPA Static-line Instructor course you must meet the following critera:

Be 18 years old
USPA membership
Hold a USPA C-license. USPA requires all course candidates to hold a USPA license. We can help with the USPA license application if needed.
Hold or have held any USPA instructional rating (Coach or higher.)
Have the pre-course activities signed on your USPA online profile

You need to have a current SIM and IRM for the course. (current = not older then 24 months) These can be ordered from USPA.

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What are the USPA Coach Rating Requirements?

You must have a USPA membership. As well as a USPA B-license. Since January 1 2013 USPA requires all candidates to hold a USPA License. We can help you with the USPA license application if needed. There is a minimum of 100 jumps requirement.

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