A USPA instructional rating holder (instructors and coaches) may teach the general portions of this course, which contains topics and procedures common to all solo first jumpers in training for their A-license.

A USPA Instructor is required to supervise the FJC overall and to teach the specific portions concerned with the actual first skydive and it’Äôs targeted learning opportunities (TLOs). For example: an AFF Instructor must teach the AFF method-specific portions or an IAD Instructor must teach the IAD method-specific portions.

On average a USPA First Jump Course will take between four and six hours.

Clothes to wear skydiving: Remember that whatever you wear will have to fit under a jumpsuit. So we recommend thin running pants or shorts, tee shirt and sneakers. In cold weather a sweater (not big and bulky) and long underwear are fine. Loose jewelry, including piercings, can be a problem. The only things on your wrists and hands should be the altimeter on your left hand. Large rings and watches should be removed prior to jumping. Pockets should be empty.

INTRODUCTION TO AFF
Student and instructor introductions
Review of Category A video
Overview of the course
Tips on how to succeed
Psychology of skydiving and training

GENERAL SECTIONS (USPA instructional rating holder):

1. Equipment orientation

chest strap
cutaway system
reserve system
reserve static line
risers
three-ring release system
deployment system
automatic activation device
packing data card
rigger's seal
fitting the rig (practice)
main parachute and container stowage and deployment
pilot chute
slider
steering toggles
field packing (demonstrate)
care of equipment: direct heat (no smoking), sunlight, three places equipment is seen: back, packed, and on the rack, not in car
Radio, helmet, gloves (if needed) and jumpsuit


2. Freefall position

Theory
Practice sessions

3. Freefall Communications

4. Main deployment

Arch - reach - pull - arch - check - arch - count
plus introduction to emergency procedures

5. Canopy control

Controllability check
Steering
Orienting to airport
From 4000 feet to 1000 feet strategy
From 1000 feet to target landing pattern
Flaring
Ground rush
Priorities of landing
Wing loading
Parachute landing fall (PLF)

5. Landing Problems

Obstacles
Powerlines
Trees
Water
Buildings
Landing off the drop zone
High winds
Wrong side of the runway

6. Equipment emergency procedures

Emergency procedures
Check altitude, arch-locate handles-grasp right-look left-pull right, clear cables, pull left, clear cables, arch and check
Hanging harness simulations with photographs
Total malufunctions
Partial malfunctions
- Line over
- Bag lock
- Pilot chute in tow
- Horse shoe
- Streamer
- Slider stuck
- Broken lines
- Rips and tears
- Violent spin
- Line knot
Unusual malfunctions
- Line twists
- Pilot chute under canopy
- Slider up
- Closed end cells

7. Examination (open book as a review with instructor present)
8. Student and instructor/coach signoffs
9. A License Procificiency Card issuance and discussion
10. Logbook notation of First Jump Course completion.
METHOD-SPECIFIC SECTIONS (taught only by a USPA Instructor with the rating in the specific method that applies to each student -- AFF, IAD or IAF):

1. Aircraft procedures
2. Freefall communications review
3. Dive flow
4. Exit presentation
5. Exit problems
6. Aircraft emergencies
7. Written/Oral category quizes
8. Student and instructor signoffs

For a complete reference from USPA ISP for all categories all methods. Click here.
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