United States Parachute Association > Experienced Skydivers > SIM > Section 7-2

7-2 Professional Exhibition Rating

A. What is a PRO Rating?

  1. Working in conjunction with the FAA, the USPA issues Professional Exhibition (PRO) Ratings to any USPA member who has met the current requirements for the rating.
    1. This rating identifies the jumper as highly proficient and accurate in canopy control.
    2. A PRO Rating holder is also knowledgeable in the areas of coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration, obtaining insurance coverage, and providing a professional demonstration of skills on a wing loading of 1.5:1 and below.
    3. A High-Performance (HP) endorsement allows PRO-rated members to make exhibition jumps with wing loadings above 1.5:1.
  2. A USPA PRO Rating is not required for all demonstration jumps, but may be a valuable advantage in working with the FAA.
  3. The PRO Rating is recognized by the FAA and serves as a certificate of proficiency.

B. Qualifications and procedures

  1. To initially qualify for the PRO Rating, an applicant must:
    1. be a current member of USPA
    2. possess a USPA D license
    3. have at least 500 jumps on a ram-air canopy
    4. made two-night jumps (recommended that the first one be a 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, who has also successfully completed two-night jumps (does not have to be within twelve months of PRO rating application)
      2. with the advice of an S&TA, in accordance with USPA BSRs
    5. make a series of ten solo jumps with a stand-up landing into an area 40 feet long by 20 feet wide using the same model and size canopy, at a wing loading 1.5:1 or below.
      1. The applicant must pre-declare each jump to count toward the requirements for the PRO rating.
        1. All of the declared jumps must be recorded on video that clearly shows the PRO rating applicant's final approach and landing into a defined area 40 feet long by 20 feet wide.
        2. Video footage of each approach and landing must be submitted to the appropriate Regional Director, or the director of safety and training at USPA Headquarters, along with the PRO rating application.
        3. Video footage may be submitted via online sharing or by sending the video files on a portable hard drive.
      2. Once the applicant has started the series, he or she may make non-declared jumps; however, non-declared jumps may not count toward the accuracy requirements for the rating.
      3. All of the ten pre-declared jumps in the series must be successful for any in the series to count toward the rating; and in the event of an unsuccessful jump, the applicant must start a new series. At least two must be crosswind approaches and landings into an area 40 feet long by 20 feet wide. The final approach must be 90-degrees to the direction of the wind. Wind speed must be at least five miles per hour and no more than 15 miles per hour.
      4. On each declared jump, the applicant must make the first contact and stop within the designated landing area.
      5. All declared jumps must witnessed by either an S&TA, Examiner, USPA Judge or USPA Regional or National Director.
      6. The applicant must obtain signatures of the eligible verifying official for each of the ten jumps.
    6. To qualify for a HP (High Performance) endorsement for the PRO rating applicants flying a parachute at a wing-loading greater than 1.5:1, makes a series of five solo jumps into an area 40 feet long by 20 feet wide using the same model and size canopy.
      1. The applicant must pre-declare each jump to count toward the requirements for the HP endorsement for the PRO rating.
        1. All of the declared jumps must be recorded on video that clearly shows the PRO rating applicant's final approach and landing into a defined area 40 feet long by 20 feet wide.
        2. Video footage of each approach and landing must be submitted to the appropriate Regional Director, or the director of safety and training at USPA Headquarters, along with the PRO rating application.
        3. Video footage may be submitted via online sharing or by sending the video files on a portable hard drive.
      2. At least one landing must demonstrate a crosswind approach and landing into an area 40 feet long by 20 feet wide. The final approach must be 90-degrees to the direction of the wind. Wind speed must be at least five miles per hour and no more than 15 miles per hour.
      3. At least two approaches and landings must demonstrate a heading change of at least 45 degrees during the final 150 feet of canopy flight. The heading change must be started and completed no higher than 25 feet AGL. This flared, carving turn is to demonstrate the ability to change heading during the swoop portion of the landing and still maintain control of the parachute.
      4. All the five pre-declared jumps in this series must be successful for any in the series to count toward the rating; and in the event of an unsuccessful jump, the applicant must start a new series.
    7. The PRO Rating exam is administered by a USPA S&TA, IE, judge or board member and the examining official:
      1. 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% is required to pass.
      2. The score is recorded on the license application and in the applicant’s logbook.
        1. An applicant not passing the paper exam will be eligible to retake this exam after seven days.
        2. Applicants who have not passed the USPA online testing program may retest using the same method immediately for a total of three attempts per day.
    8. forward the completed application form to his or her USPA Regional Director for his signature and include:
      1. the completed PRO Rating exam
      2. the rating fee
      3. have the PRO Rating Proficiency card signed off by an IE, S&TA, or PRO Rating holder indicating that the PRO Rating applicant has received training in the following areas:
        1. ground crew—and served as a ground crew member on at least one Level 1 or Level 2 demo jump
        2. flag rigging—and made at least one jump with a flag
        3. smoke rigging—and made at least one jump with smoke
        4. NOTAM filing and certificates of authorization
        5. crowd control
        6. post-jump procedures
    9. Except for the minimum 500 ram-air jump requirement, all training listed must be made within the previous 12 months of the application.
  2. The USPA Regional Director will forward the initial application to USPA Headquarters.
  3. Conditions
    1. The canopy used during qualification will be the smallest size canopy to be used for minimum landing area (Level 2) jumps, and the canopy size will be noted on the USPA membership card.
    2. USPA will issue an annual PRO Rating with an expiration date that will coincide with the applicant’s membership expiration date.
    3. The rating must be renewed annually in order to remain current.
    4. If a PRO Rating holder’s competence is questioned by a FAA or USPA official (including S&TAs), the PRO Rating holder may be required to reaffirm his or her proficiency.

C. To Requalify on Smaller Canopies copy link

  1. To requalify on a smaller canopy with a wing loading of 1.5:1 or below:
    1. The rating holder must make three successive, pre-declared jumps, making the first contact and stopping within an area 40 feet long by 20 feet wide.
      1. All of the declared jumps must be recorded on video that clearly shows the PRO rating applicant's final approach and landing into a defined area 40 feet long by 20 feet wide.
      2. Video footage of each approach and landing must be submitted to the appropriate Regional Director, or the director of safety and training at USPA Headquarters, along with the PRO rating application.
      3. Video footage may be submitted via online sharing or by sending the video files on a portable hard drive.
    2. All landings must be made standing up and be verified by a USPA Examiner, S&TA, Judge, or board member.
    3. The three landings must be logged on the PRO rating application and signed by the witness who verified the jump.
    4. The application may then be submitted to USPA Headquarters for processing.
  2. To re-qualify on a smaller canopy with a wing loading greater than 1.5:1:
    1. The rating holder must first meet the qualifications for HP endorsement listed above (ie. five HP qualification jumps must be done first).
    2. The rating holder must make three successive, pre-declared jumps, making the first contact and stopping within an area 40 feet long by 20 feet wide.
      1. All of the declared jumps must be recorded on video that clearly shows the PRO rating applicant's final approach and landing into a defined area 40 feet long by 20 feet wide.
      2. Video footage of each approach and landing must be submitted to the appropriate Regional Director, or the director of safety and training at USPA Headquarters, along with the PRO rating application.
      3. Video footage may be submitted via online sharing or by sending the video files on a portable hard drive.
    3. One jump must be made landing into the wind in any wind speeds up to 15 miles per hour.
    4. One jump must be a crosswind landing. The final approach must be 90-degrees to the direction of the wind. Wind speed must be at least five miles per hour and no more than 15 miles per hour.
    5. One jump approach and landing must demonstrate a heading change of at least 45 degrees during the final 150 feet of canopy flight. The heading change must be started and completed no higher than 25 feet AGL. This flared, carving turn is to demonstrate the ability to change heading during the swoop portion of the landing and still maintain control of the parachute.
    6. All landings must be verified by a USPA Examiner, S&TA, Judge, or board member.
    7. The three landings must be logged on the PRO rating application and signed by the witness who verified the jump.
    8. The application may then be submitted to USPA Headquarters for processing.

D. Annual Renewal Requirements copy link

  1. Within the previous 12 months the PRO holder must perform all the following verified by the signature of a current S&TA, Examiner, USPA Judge or Board member (you may not renew yourself) and forward a completed PRO renewal application to USPA Headquarters:
    1. Make at least 50 jumps.
    2. Include the current renewal fee.
    3. PRO rating for wing loadings of 1.5:1 and below, in the presence of a USPA Examiner, S&TA, Judge or board member::
      1. perform two stand-up landings, making the first contact and stopping within an area 40 feet long by 20 feet wide;
      2. or perform two Level 2 demo jumps (as defined by USPA and accepted by the FAA) with a wing loading 1.5:1 or lower.
    4. HP endorsement for wing loadings over 1.5:1, in the presence of a USPA Examiner, S&TA, Judge or board member:
      1. meet requirements for wing loadings of 1.5:1 and below, perform two landings, one each to meet the criteria outlined in C.2.d and e of this section making the first contact and stopping within an area 40 feet long by 20 feet;
      2. or meet requirements for wing loadings of 1.5:1 and below and perform two Level 2 demo jumps (as defined by USPA and accepted by the FAA) with a wing loading above 1.5:1.
    5. The canopy used to meet annual renewal requirements will be the smallest-sized canopy allowed to be used on demonstration jumps.

E. Lapsed PRO Rating Renewal Requirements

  1. For persons with an expired PRO rating (up to two years), in the presence of a current Regional, National, or U.S./FAI International Judge; Regional or National Director; S&TA, or Examiner:
    1. for wing loadings of 1.5:1 and below, perform two stand-up landings, making the first contact and stopping within an area 40 feet long by 20 feet wide.
    2. for wing loadings over 1.5:1, meet requirements for wing loadings of 1.5:1 and below, perform two landings, one each to meet the criteria outlined in C.2.d and e of this section, making the first contact and stopping within an area 40 feet long by 20 feet wide.
  2. If a PRO Rating holder allows his or her rating to lapse for two years or longer, the initial landing qualification requirements must be met.
  3. If the canopy size used for requalification is larger than the one originally qualified on, it will become the smallest-sized canopy allowed to be used for demonstrations.