Phase Two
based on USPA Skydiver's Information Manual, and
The USPA Integrated Student Program


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Phase Two Categories E-3, F, G, and H

A-License Check Dive

INTRODUCTION

1. Welcome to our post-Phase One skydiving instructional program (Phase Two), which, with hard work and dedication, will take you through to your USPA A-license and 25 jumps or so. This portion of your training continues with the USPA Integrated Student Program (ISP) recommendations, plus a few additions and alterations that we feel are important to Pepperell Skydive students. During this phase of your training, USPA coaches as well as USPA instructors will supervise you. AFF and IAD method-specific instructors are no longer required.

 2. Your A-license will be granted when you have completed all the requirements of this portion of your training, and all items are checked off on your Four-Page USPA A-License Proficiency Card and Application. Incomplete documents could result in a delay or repeating skydives and other training, so pay close attention to that aspect of your work.

3. Every aspect of our training and of our dropzone procedures emphasizes safety as the primary concern. Safety is our number one priority. A good, positive, conscientious attitude will go a long way towards making your skydiving career safe and enjoyable. Be sure to address any questions you may have, or that others may raise, to the dropzone management, or to your USPA instructors and coaches.

4. Calling ahead to make reservations with coaches and instructors is recommended. Remember you are still subject to student wind holds (over 14 mph) and to the availability of coaches or instructors and space on the aircraft. Reservations are not required for solo jumps that are not in the USPA category progression. For example, if you feel like making a fun solo jump, you are now free to do that any time you wish. But, until you have your A-license, the only other skydiver you are permitted to jump with is a USPA coach or USPA instructor and you must continue to rent student rigs until signed off for hand deploy. Do not borrow rigs from other skydivers during this phase of your training. Dropzone management usually reserves the right to ground students at any time. All students using rental gear must read and sign an agreement of liability.

SELF-SUPERVISION REQUIREMENTS

Your Pre-Jump Responsibilities             

1. Your Jump Planner must be filled out completely and signed off by your coach or instructor before each and every jump on this level, including your fun solos.
2. You must manifest yourself
3. You must make sure your rig is packed and available
4. You must assemble all other gear on your own
5. You must be able to verbalize the skydive from exit to landing
6. You must check in with the Load Organizer (LO) prior to boarding the plane
7. You must fill out your log after the jump accurately and completely for sign-off
8. You must get the appropriate sections of the A-license Proficiency Card filled out and signed off along with your own personal log
9. Once you have been signed off on packing, you must pack your parachute immediately after use (if you are jumping it next, otherwise it must be packed by the packers).
10. You  must view the Malfunction Video again and be signed off by a USPA coach or instructor during this period of your training.

Some Continuing Requirements

1. A student AAD must be worn and activated on all skydives
2. An RSL (Reserve Static Line) must be worn and connected on all skydives
3. Water gear must worn until you have an A-License, if you are a non-swimmer.
4. Hard helmets must be worn, but not the student helmets.
5. Eye protection (your own)
6. Jumpsuit (not the purple student ones)
7. Shoes
8. Altimeter
9. Your minimum opening altitude is 3,000 feet. Below this you will be grounded.
10. Student wind limits still apply: 14 mph within the previous 30 minutes
11. Only authorized gear. No borrowed rigs.
12. No relative work with anyone but a USPA Coach or Instructor. No exceptions. If you are not sure, ask at manifest.
13. Packing is no longer included in the price of your jump.
14. You are now responsible for any damage to your equipment including inspections, reserve repacks, repairs or replacement of lost canopies.
15. Your accuracy requirement for an A-License is 20 meters on 5 jumps in which you spotted the jump run and announced your target ahead of time.
16. Know the gear you jump: it is your responsibility now: hand deploy, reserve, main, AAD and all performance characters of your gear.

Equipment Recommendations

Since Phase One students usually have priority at most dropzones, now is a good time to start thinking about purchasing your own gear. By now you should have your own altimeter, helmet, gloves, and goggles. Next, you should be thinking about a jumpsuit.

Student AAD

 A student AAD can be recognized by its yellow button and word "student" on the control unit. The preset activation altitude is split: if you are falling at freefall rates it will arm at 1000 feet and activate at approximately 750 feet. However, if your rate of descent is lower than freefall speeds but higher than 29 mph (as with a partially opened main canopy) then your student AAD will activate approximately at 1,000 above the ground. If a jump plane is descending and you have not jumped, switching off the student AAD can be an issue. Discuss this with your instructor before taking any action. Your student AAD turns off with the same sequence you use to turn it on. You should also be aware that it is possible to exceed a vertical speed of 29 mph under a fully inflated, aggressively flown, canopy. So take it easy under our student rigs. Here is the current CYPRES Manufacturer's Users Guide for your review.

Gear Check

___ Reserve is in date
___ Reserve is rigger-sealed
___ AAD is on
___ AAD is in date
___ Reserve pin is properly seated and not bent
___ Reserve ripcord moves freely, cable is running free, swage is secure
___ Main closing loop is solid and not worn, or too loose or too tight
___ The Main ripcord moves freely

If hand-deploy:

___ Is the pilot chute packed correctly, not bunched up?
___ Is the pouch too tight for smooth deployment?
___ Is the bridle routed correctly?
___ If the pilot chute is collapsible, has it been properly cocked?

___ Three-ring assemblies hooked up correctly
___ Are the canopy (three-ring) loops damaged in any way?
___ Emergency cables seated correctly?
___ RSL connected correctly?
___ Any damage to the harness?
___ Chest strap and buckle in good shape?
___ Leg straps and buckles in good shape?


Phase Two Categories E-3, F, G, H and A-License Check Dive
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