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