United States Parachute Association > Experienced Skydivers > SIM > Skydive School > CAT A Dive Flows

United States Parachute Association > Experienced Skydivers > SIM > Skydive School > CAT A Dive Flows

Category A

Category at a Glance | Academics | Dive Flows | Quiz | Reading— Mental Relaxation

Dive Flows

FREEFALL

AFF

Exit in a relaxed arch
Instructors release arm grips
Circle of Awareness
Three practice deployments
Circle of Awareness
Altitude, arch, legs, relax
Begin wave off at 5,500 feet
Pull by 4,500 feet

IAD AND STATIC LINE

Check deployment device prior to climb-out
Climb out
Exit on command with legs extended
Count aloud to five by thousands
Check canopy

TANDEM: CATEGORY A TRAINING

Exit with arms in safety position
On instructor’s signal, relax into neutral arch
Check altitude
Three practice deployments
Altitude, arch, legs, relax
Begin wave off by 6,000 feet
Pull by 5,500 feet

CANOPY

(also used for tandem students training to meet Category A objectives)
Release brakes and fix routine opening problems
Look left, turn left
Look right, turn right
Flare
Check altitude, position, and traffic
Locate holding area, pattern "checkpoints," and target
Remain in holding area until 1,000 feet
Follow pre-assigned pattern over landing area
Flare to land and PLF (solo students)

Instructor Notes

Budget training time to cover only the most important topics.
To reduce student workload and training effort, employ staff support as much as possible, including assistance after landing.
The instructor is responsible for putting the student’s equipment on, adjusting it, and performing all equipment checks; students make sure checks are performed.
The instructor closely supervises the student when approaching, boarding, and being seated in the aircraft, including providing instruction on seat belt use during seating.
The instructor directs the student on the correct action in the event of any aircraft emergency (except in the event of the student’s parachute deploying out the door).