4-2 Student Skill and Knowledge Sets
CATEGORY A
all—
canopy control
landing approach
landing principles
exit
stable fall
deployment
aircraft emergencies
solo students—
equipment emergencies
landing emergencies
CATEGORY B
relaxing in the skydiving environment
heading awareness
parachute deployment
more on the landing pattern
airport orientation
protecting handles
equipment emergency review
CATEGORY C
unassisted freefall with heading maintenance
hover control
solo deployment
landing patterns for higher winds
downwind landings
wing loading
accidental opening review
turbulence
landing off
obstacle recognition
the FAA rigger
the closed parachute system
CATEGORY D
solo, unassisted exit (AFF students)
freefall turns
freefall speeds and times review
back riser control
building landing review
AAD (owner’s manual)
pre-jump equipment check
introduction to three-ring release operation
cloud clearance and visibility
observe jump run
CATEGORY E
door (unpoised) exit
recovering stability and awareness
aerobatics
stalls
the canopy’s “sweet spot”
two canopies deployed (review)
high-wind landings
reserve static line
open parachute orientation
parachute packing and supervision
wind limits
aircraft briefing
aircraft emergency procedures
selecting the opening point
CATEGORY F
introduction to tracking
two clear and pulls (former AFF students)
braked turns, approaches, and landings
extending the glide
acting as jumpmaster or jump leader
power-line landing review
packing with assistance
checking others’ equipment
procedures following inactivity
winds aloft and the exit point
separating groups during exit
CATEGORY G
group exits
floater position
forward and backward movement
adjusting fall rate
start and stop
docking
maximum-performance canopy turns
collision avoidance and response review
tree landing review
equipment maintenance inspection
weather for skydivers
CATEGORY H
diver exit
diving
breakoff
front riser control
water landing review
owner maintenance of gear
aircraft radio requirements
FAA notification requirements for jumping
FAA approvals for jump planes