United States Parachute Association > Experienced Skydivers > SIM > Skydive School

Category B

Category at a Glance | Academics | Dive Flows | Quiz

Category at a Glance

Advancement Criteria

Exit and Freefall

AFF and Tandem Students

stability within ten seconds of exiting the aircraft
maintain correct body position for stability throughout, including leg awareness and control
assisted deployment within 500 feet of the assigned altitude
in addition, tandem students complete the solo first-jump course

IAD and Static-Line Students

three successive exits with stable practice deployments within five seconds of exit

Canopy

understanding and planning descent strategy from opening to pattern entry and pattern principles
steering including clearing airspace (looking before turning) without prompting (self-evaluated)
assisted flare for a safe landing within 30 degrees of heading into the wind

Equipment

understanding routine canopy problems and the correct responses

oral quiz

Book Stuff

read and discuss SIM Section 2-1.G for student training, jumps and supervision requirements
read and discuss the USPA recommendations on parachute malfunctions and procedures, SIM Section 5-1.A — E
study the illustration in FAA Advisory Circular 90-66, Appendix 3, in SIM Section 9-2

*Note: For reasons of safety, AFF, static line, or IAD students who do not complete the flaring and landing advancement criteria in Category B should be recommended for tandem or other comprehensive canopy training. If all other Category B advancement criteria have been met, the student may satisfy Category B canopy skills in another discipline and then advance to Category C in the preferred discipline.