noun The first level license which signifies that a skydiver has advanced beyond the student phase. Persons holding a USPA A License are able to jumpmaster themselves, perform basic group freefall jumps and water jumps, participate in certain USPA collegiate competition events, and pack their own main parachute.

See also: Automatic Activation Device (AAD)

Harness-hold freefall skydiving student training discipline developed under Ken Coleman and adopted by USPA. AFF-rated USPA Instructors accompany the student in freefall during the initial training jumps.

Above ground level. Refers to altitude, e.g., 5,000 feet AGL.

The speed of an airborne aircraft or parachute, relative to the air.

Any machine or device, including airplanes, helicopters, gliders, balloons, etc., capable of atmospheric flight. For the purposes of regulation, parachutes are not considered aircraft.

Any change or modification to any part of the parachute assembly from its original manufacturer’s specifications. See also: Major alteration, Minor Alteration

noun A device that measures height above the surface (altitude); for skydivers, typically above the intended skydiving landing area. See also: Audible Altimeter

The relative pitch (leading edge up or down) angle of a wing measured between the chord line and the relative wind.

The relative pitch (leading edge up or down) angle of a wing measured between the chord line and the horizon.

See also: glide path

Refers to a USPA Instructor or Instructor Examiner rated in the method-specific instructional discipline necessary to perform a particular task in accordance with the BSRs.

Position skydivers use to orient the front of their torso to the relative wind. Described, it is hips forward with back arched; legs extended to 45 degrees, toes pointed; knees at shoulder width; arms bent 90-120 degrees at the shoulders and elbows and relaxed; head up.

Skydiving competition events that include freeflying, freestyle skydiving, and skysurfing.

Standard of tests and minimum safety and performance requirements which must be met to receive approval under technical standard order (TSO) certification. AS 8015A, the standard for TSO C-23c was adopted in 1984 to supercede NAS 804, the standard for TSO C-23b. In June, 1994, AS 8015B became the standard for TSO C-23d.

noun An alarm used by skydivers to aler.t them about reaching one or more pre-set altitudes. See also: altimeter

noun A self-contained mechanical or electro-mechanical device that is attached to the interior of the reserve parachute container, which automatically initiates parachute deployment of the reserve parachute at a pre-set altitude, time, percentage of terminal velocity, or combination thereof. (FAR 105 definition)

See also: reserve parachute

The second level USPA license. Persons holding a USPA B License are authorized to participate in the USPA collegiate 4-way formation skydiving event, perform night jumps, and when qualified, apply for a USPA Coach rating.

An activity involving the use of a parachute for descent from fixed objects. The acronym derives from the first initials of four possible launch categories: buildings, antennae, spans (bridges), and earth (cliffs). Because BASE jumping does not meet the FAA’s definition of “the descent of an object to the surface from an aircraft in flight,” it is not regulated by the FAA or addressed by USPA.

Clip hardware sometimes used for leg-strap attachment on a parachute harness. Refers generally to the MS 22044 hardware originally used on the U.S. Army B-12 parachute assembly. See also: Thread-Through

See also: Deployment Device

A malfunction of a deployed parachute where the canopy remains in the deployment bag.

1: When building a freefall or canopy formation, the initial target individual or group of people to which the others fly.

2: Base (leg): The portion of the three-legged landing pattern where the jumper flies across the direction of the wind downwind of the landing area before turning for final approach into the wind toward the target.

Minimum standards overseen and published by USPA and generally agreed upon as the acceptable standard for safe skydiving activities. The BSRs form the foundation of self-governing by skydivers. USPA oversees the BSRs.