BPA PROGRESSION GRADING SYSTEM

Formation Skydiving (FS)

To obtain Grade 1 in Formation Skydiving (FS1) the parachutist must, be introduced to FS by a CCI/Advanced Instructor nominated FS1 Grade parachutist or equivalent of proven FS instructional ability, have received a full safety brief and demonstrated the ability to: Control fall rate. Control horizontal movement, (forwards, backwards and sideways). Achieve ‘docking’ techniques. Turn in place. Dive and approach a target. Complete four points of 4-way FS.

Freestyle/Freeflying (FF)

To obtain Grade 1 in Freestyle/Freeflying (FF1) the parachutist must first demonstrate the ability to: Control fall rate. Control horizontal movement, (forwards, backwards and sideways). Achieve ‘docking’ techniques. Turn in place. Dive and approach a target.      

The parachutist may then be introduced to FF (for FF1 training) by a CCI/Advanced Instructor nominated FF2 Grade parachutist or equivalent of proven FF instructional ability, have received a full safety brief and demonstrated the ability to: Fly in a controlled sit/stand position. Control fall rate in a sit/stand position. Control forward and backward movement in a sit/stand position. Control turns in both directions in a sit/stand position. Fly relative to others in a sit/stand position

Once FF1 has been obtained, the parachutist must not make FF descents with others without CCI approval, (a log book endorsement will suffice) and initially only small groups (e.g. 2-3 ways).

To obtain Grade 2 in Freestyle/Freeflying (FF2) the parachutist must be Grade 1 in FF (FF1) and be introduced to FF2 by a CCI/Advanced Instructor nominated FF2 Grade parachutist or equivalent of proven FF instructional ability, have received a full safety brief and demonstrated the ability to: Fly in a controlled head down position. Control fall rate in a head down position. Control turns in both directions in a head down position. Fly relative to others in a head down position. Display independent body movement in a head down position, e.g. hand claps.

Jump Master (JM)

To obtain Grade 1 in Jump Master (JM1) the parachutist must be introduced to JM by a CCI/Advanced Instructor nominated Category System Basic Instructor (CSBI), a Category System Instructor (CSI), an Accelerated Free Fall Basic Instructor (AFFBI), or an Accelerated Free Fall Instructor (AFFI) of proven JM instructional ability.

The parachutist must also: Demonstrate the ability to ‘Spot’ correctly from at least 10,000 ft AGL. Receive a full safety brief (given by an instructor) on, be familiar with and be able to carry out the duties and responsibilities of a Jumpmaster and has received an introduction to the BPA Operations Manual. Receive a full safety brief (given by an instructor) on, be familiar with and be able to carry out flight line checking on other parachutists of FAI ‘A’ Certificate (Red) and above.         

Receive a full brief (given by a CCI/Advanced Instructor nominated JM1 Grade parachutist) on, and be able to undertake, packing, inspection and basic fault finding on a ram air canopy.

CANOPY HANDLING (CH)

To obtain Grade 1 in Canopy Handling (CH1), the parachutist must be introduced to CH by a CCI/Advanced Instructor nominated Category System Basic Instructor (CSBI), a Category System Instructor (CSI), an Accelerated Free Fall Basic Instructor (AFFBI) or an Accelerated Free Fall Instructor (AFFI) of proven CH instructional ability, received a full safety brief and been instructed, both theoretically and practically on canopy handling relevant to CH1, and has successfully achieved the following: Flat turns on at least 3 descents. Increased the range of the canopy using the toggles on at least 3 descents. Displayed a reasonable level of canopy handling. A CH1 written examination.

To obtain Grade 2 in Canopy Handling (CH2) the parachutist must be Grade 1 in CH (CH1) and be introduced to CH2 by a CCI/Advanced Instructor nominated FAI ‘C’ Certificate (Red) or above CH2 Grade parachutist or equivalent of proven CH instructional ability, have received a full safety brief and been instructed, both theoretically and practically in canopy handling relevant to CH2, and has successfully achieved the following: Completed 5 of 10 pre-declared safe landings, within an area of 30 meters diameter. Increased the range of the canopy in straight flight, using front and rear risers, on at least 3 descents. Rear riser turns, as an avoidance maneuver, on at least 3 descents. Pass the CH2 written examination.

Canopy Piloting (CP)

To obtain Grade 1 in Canopy Piloting (CP1) the parachutist must hold an FAI ‘C’ Certificate (Red) and a Grade 2 in CH (CH2) and be introduced to CP1 by a CCI/Advanced Instructor nominated FAI ‘D’ Certificate (Red) or above CP1 Grade parachutist or equivalent of proven CP instructional ability, have received a full safety brief and been instructed, both theoretically and practically in canopy piloting relevant to CP1, and has successfully achieved the following: Proficiency at conducting canopy drills (360, 180, 90 turns and straight approaches) at altitudes above 3,000ft AGL. Safe, high performance landings, using front risers during a straight on approach, on at least 5 consecutive descents. Safe, high performance landings, using a front riser to create a final approach turn of between 45 and 90, on at least 5 consecutive descents. Safe, high performance landings, using a front riser to create a final approach turn of between 90 and 180, on at least 5 consecutive descents. A CP1 written examination.

To obtain Grade 2 in Canopy Piloting (CP2) the parachutist must hold an FAI ‘D’ Certificate (Red), a Grade 1 in CP (CP1) and have logged 500 high performance swoop landings, including 100 in the previous 12 months, and has successfully achieved the following: Safe, high performance runs, over a minimum 185ft long, 30ft wide carving course, that consists of 10ft vertical markers with a defined entry and exit gate, on at least 3 pre-declared consecutive descents.