United States Parachute Association > Experienced Skydivers > SIM > Chapter 6 > Chapter 6-2

6-2: Professional Exhibition Rating copy link

A. Definition

Working in conjunction with the FAA, USPA issues Professional Exhibition (PRO) Ratings to any USPA member who meets the current requirements. This rating identifies the jumper as highly proficient and accurate in canopy control.

The USPA PRO Rating enables skydivers to perform exhibition jumps in challenging landing areas. To earn this rating, skydivers with a USPA D license must demonstrate landing skills using the parachute they intend to use for exhibition jumps. They also receive training in handling flags and pyrotechnic devices, coordinating with the FAA, and obtaining insurance coverage. The PRO rating allows holders to fly and land closer to crowds than jumpers who have not met these qualifications. Thus, PRO-rating holders must be proficient with various canopy sizes and must be capable of landing in small areas. As such, PRO-rating applicants provide a professional demonstration of skills on a wing loading of 1.5:1 and below. A High-Performance (HP) Endorsement allows PRO-rated members to make exhibition jumps with wing loadings above 1.5:1.

A USPA PRO Rating is not required for all demonstration jumps but may be a valuable advantage in working with the FAA. The FAA recognizes the USPA PRO Rating as a certificate of proficiency.

B. Qualifications and Procedures

PRO Rating Qualifications

To qualify for the PRO rating, an applicant must:

  • be a current member of USPA
  • possess a USPA D license
  • have at least 500 jumps on a ram-air canopy
  • made two-night jumps in accordance with the BSRs (recommended that the first one be a solo and one in a group) with a freefall of at least 20 seconds. An Instructor with a D license who has completed at least two-night jumps must verify these jumps.
  • make a series of 10 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.
    • The applicant must pre-declare each jump to count toward the requirements for the PRO rating.
      • All 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. (Both outside and point-of-view footage are acceptable.)
      • The applicant must submit the video footage of each approach and landing to the appropriate USPA Regional Director or the Director of Safety and Training at USPA Headquarters, along with the PRO-rating application.
      • The applicant may submit the video footage by sharing it online or by sending it on a portable hard drive.
    • Once the applicant has started the series, they may make non-declared jumps; however, non-declared jumps may not count toward the accuracy requirements for the rating.
    • All 10 pre-declared jumps in the series must be successful for any in the series to count toward the rating. In the event of an unsuccessful jump, the applicant must start a new series. At least two of the landings into an area 40 feet long by 20 feet wide must be crosswind approaches, with the final approach 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.
    • On each declared jump, the applicant must make the first contact and stop within the designated landing area.
    • A USPA S&TA, Examiner, Judge or Board Member must witness and sign off on all declared jumps.

HP Endorsement Qualifications

To qualify for an HP (High Performance) Endorsement for the PRO rating (fly a parachute at a wing loading greater than 1.5:1), an applicant must:

Flared, Carving Turn

  • make a series of five solo jumps using the same model and size canopy into an area 40 feet long by 20 feet wide.
    • The applicant must pre-declare each jump to count toward the requirements for the HP Endorsement for the PRO rating.
      • All 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. (Both outside and point-of-view footage are acceptable.)
      • The applicant must submit video footage of each approach and landing to the appropriate USPA Regional Director or the Director of Safety and Training at USPA Headquarters along with the PRO-rating application.
      • The applicant may submit the video footage by sharing it online or by sending it on a portable hard drive.
    • At least one landing into an area 40 feet long by 20 feet wide must demonstrate a crosswind approach and landing, with the final approach 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.
    • 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 jumper must start and complete the heading change no higher than 25 feet AGL. This flared, carving turn demonstrates the ability to change heading during the swoop portion of the landing while still maintaining control of the parachute.
  • All five pre-declared jumps in this series must be successful for any in the series to count toward the rating. In the event of an unsuccessful jump, the applicant must start a new series.
  • On each declared jump, the applicant must make the first contact and stop within the designated landing area.
  • a USPA S&TA, Examiner, Judge or Board Member must witness and sign off on all declared jumps.

Application Procedures

A USPA S&TA, Examiner, Judge or Board Member can administer the PRO Rating Exam online or on paper. Applicants may not use references or other assistance during the exam and must pass with a score of 75% or more. The official will record any passing score on the PRO Rating Application and in the applicant's logbook.

When giving written exams on paper, the examining USPA official gives the PRO-rating applicant a blank answer sheet and the questions to the exam. After the test, the examining official collects the materials and grades the exam. An applicant who does not pass will be eligible to retake this exam after seven days.

For written exams taken using USPA’s online license-testing program, applicants who do not pass may immediately retest using the same method for a total of three attempts per day.

The PRO-rating applicant must send the completed application to the appropriate USPA Regional Director for their signature and include the exam, videos, rating fee, and PRO Rating Proficiency Card signed by a USPA S&TA, Examiner or PRO Rating holder.

Except for the minimum 500 ram-air jump requirement, the applicant must have completed all training listed on the application within the previous 12 months. The USPA Regional Director will forward the application to USPA Headquarters.

The canopy the jumper uses during qualification will be the smallest size canopy to be allowed for minimum-landing-area (Level 2) jumps, and USPA will note this canopy size on the jumper’s USPA Membership Card. USPA will issue an annual PRO Rating with an expiration date that coincides with the applicant’s membership expiration date. The PRO-rating holder must renew their PRO rating annually to remain current. If a PRO-rating holder’s competence is questioned by an FAA or USPA official such as an S&TA, the PRO-rating holder may be required to reaffirm their proficiency.

C. To Requalify on Smaller Canopies

Wing Loading of 1.5:1 or Less

To requalify on a smaller canopy with a wing loading of 1.5:1 or less, 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.

All 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. The applicant must submit video footage of each approach and landing to the appropriate Regional Director or the Director of Safety & Training at USPA Headquarters along with the PRO Rating Application and videos (by sharing them online or by delivering a portable hard drive).

The jumper must stand up all landings, which a USPA S&TA, Examiner, Judge, or Board Member must verify. The applicant must log the three landings on the PRO Rating Application and have the verifying witness sign it. The applicant may then submit the completed application and videos to USPA Headquarters for processing.

Wing Loading Greater than 1.5:1

To re-qualify on a smaller canopy with a wing loading greater than 1.5:1, the rating holder must first meet the qualifications for the HP Endorsement listed above (i.e., must perform the five HP qualification jumps first).

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. All 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. The applicant must submit video footage of each approach and landing to the appropriate Regional Director or the Director of Safety & Training at USPA Headquarters along with the PRO Rating Application and videos (by sharing them online or by delivering a portable hard drive).

Landing criteria:

  • One landing must be into the wind in any wind speeds up to 15 miles per hour.
  • One landing must be crosswind with a final approach 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.
  • One approach and landing must demonstrate a heading change of at least 45 degrees during the final 150 feet of canopy flight. The jumper must start and complete the heading change no higher than 25 feet AGL. This flared, carving turn demonstrates the ability to change heading during the swoop portion of the landing while still maintaining control of the parachute.

A USPA S&TA, Examiner, Judge, or Board Member must verify all landings. The applicant must log the three landings on the PRO Rating Application, which the verifying witness signs. The applicant may submit the completed application and videos to USPA Headquarters for processing.

D. Annual Renewal Requirements

Within the previous 12 months, the PRO-rating holder must perform all the following, verified by the signature of a current USPA S&TA, Examiner, Judge or Board member (the jumper may not sign for themself) and submit a completed PRO Rating Renewal Application to USPA Headquarters with the current renewal fee:

  • Make at least 50 jumps.
  • PRO rating for wing loadings of 1.5:1 and less, completed two of the following requirements in the presence of a USPA S&TA, Examiner, Judge or Board Member (a requirement can be repeated):
    • perform a stand-up landing, making the first contact and stopping within an area 40 feet long by 20 feet wide with a wing loading 1.5:1 or less
    • perform a Level 2 demo jump (as defined by USPA and accepted by the FAA) with a wing loading 1.5:1 or less
  • To renew a HP endorsement for wing loadings of more than 1.5:1, the jumper must meet the requirements for PRO-rating renewal for wing loadings of 1.5:1 or less and complete two of the following requirements in the presence of a USPA S&TA, Examiner, Judge or Board member (a requirement can be repeated) while using a canopy loaded higher than 1.5:1:
    • perform a carving accuracy landing with a 45-degree heading change as outlined in the HP section, making the first contact and stopping within an area 40 feet long by 20 feet wide
    • perform a crosswind accuracy landing 90 degrees to the direction of the wind as outlined in the HP section, making the first contact and stopping within an area 40 feet long by 20 feet wide
    • perform a Level 2 demo jump (as defined by USPA and accepted by the FAA)
  • If the PRO-rating holder renews using a canopy size larger than the one originally qualified on, it becomes the smallest-size canopy the jumper may use for demonstrations.

E. Lapsed-PRO-Rating Renewal Requirements

To reinstate a PRO rating that has expired less than two years ago, the rating holder must do the following in the presence of a current USPA S&TA, Examiner, Judge, or Board member:

  • for wing loadings of 1.5:1 and less, perform two stand-up landings, making the first contact and stopping within an area 40 feet long by 20 feet wide.
  • for wing loadings more than 1.5:1, meet requirements for wing loadings of 1.5:1 or less and perform two landings, one each crosswind and 45-degree heading change outlined in the HP section, making the first contact and stopping within an area 40 feet long by 20 feet wide.

If a PRO-rating holder allows their rating to lapse for two years or longer, they must meet the initial landing qualification requirements.

If the canopy size the jumper uses for reinstatement is larger than the one originally qualified on, it becomes the smallest-size canopy the jumper may use for demonstrations.