USPA Explained

Introduction

You want to earn a USPA rating such as a license or become an instructor (AFF instructor, USPA Tandem Master, UPT…).
In any case you will first need to take your “membership”.
Follow the guide, we explain everything step by step.

USPA

First of all: what is theUSPA.
USPA stands for: United States Parachute Association

As its name suggests, it is an association.

Date founded: 1946
Number of members: > 41,000
Geographic presence:
- worldwide (even in France – Saint Florentin and Fayence are affiliated, for example)
- The USPA system is used worldwide except in Germany, Great Britain, Italy…

USPA ratings do NOT allow you to work in France in any way!

USPA is a standard; other countries such as France or Italy preferred to set up a more specific system, better suited to the needs and particularities of their population.

Licenses

A “License” is the federal equivalent of a certificate. A license attests to a level of competence.
USPA currently issues 4 USPA licenses: A, B, C, D, which are recognized by the FAI (Fédération Aéronautique Internationale)

License prerequisites
- A License
  - 25 jumps minimum
  - Validated progression or skills card
  - At least 5 relative work (RW) jumps
  - Multiple-choice exam to be taken online
- B License
  - 50 jumps minimum
  - 30 minutes of freefall minimum
  - Meet the requirements of the A license
  - 10 accuracy landing jumps within 10 meters
  - 10 group jumps (RW or FF) with at least 3 participants
  - Water landing training and instruction
  - Multiple-choice exam to be taken online
  - 5-jump canopy course
- C License
  - 200 jumps minimum
  - 60 minutes of freefall minimum
  - Meet the requirements of the B license
  - 25 accuracy landing jumps within 2 meters
  - 15 group jumps (RW or FF) with at least 4 participants
  - Multiple-choice exam to be taken online
- D License
  - 500 jumps minimum
  - 3 hours of freefall minimum
  - Meet the requirements of the C license
  - Meet at least two of the following conditions:
    - Night jump
    - 100 accuracy landing jumps within 2 meters
    - Canopy formation of 3 (3-stack) with a full rotation completed
    - Intentional water jump
    - 100 group jumps (RW or FF), at least 25 of them with a minimum of 8 participants
  - Multiple-choice exam to be taken online

Reference publications

USPA publishes and keeps up to date various reference publications.

SIM: Skydiver’s Information Manual (manual for all skydivers)
IRM: Instructional Rating Manual (manual for ALL instructors)

Other manuals exist but will be covered on other pages and during USPA courses.

The SIM and the IRM are the two mandatory publications really needed to earn USPA ratings.
You can download them for free HERE.

Ratings: Instructor qualifications

Overview

There are three levels of instructors at USPA

Coach
Instructor (in one or more of the 4 methods: AFF – tandem – SL – IAD)
Examiner (in one or more of the 4 methods (AFF – tandem – SL – IAD) or Coach)