A. UNITED PARACHUTES TECHNOLOGIES:

PRE-REQUISITES:

• 18 years of age
• at least 500 ram air jumps
• hold a USPA D-license or foreign equivalent
• hold a current FAA Class III medical certificate or foreign equivalent
• at least 3 years in the sport
• currently possess a USPA Coach or  other Instructional rating or foreign equivalent

THE COURSE

The tandem rating course will take 2 up to 3 days (weather permitting). The course consists of one day of classroom, 5 evaluation jumps and a written exam.
The class starts with verification of the requirements. The Vector Tandem Manual and the Sigma Manual are the course books. It is recommended to print these manuals from United Parachute Technologies web-site prior to the course. (http://www.unitedparachutestechnologies.com).

The questions for the written test are in the Manuals. It is an open book test and can be made at home prior to the course.

You need to bring copies of:

• USPA membership card with D-license number and coach or instructor endorsement
• Copy of a current FAA Class III medical certificate showing the number.
• Copy of logbook pages with 500 jumps (unless USPA card shows a Gold Wings award)
• Copy of logbook pages showing 3 years in the sport

You will need the following for the evaluation jumps:

• A baggy jumpsuit.
• An open face helmet or a leather hat.
• If you own an audible please bring it to use for the evaluation jumps.

After the 5 course evaluation jumps you need to make 5 tandem jumps with an
experienced jumper who has at least 100 jumps. We recommend making these jumps during the course with the examiner for continuous education.

SIGMA ENDORSEMENT:
To get the Sigma endorsement you need to make an additional written test.

CROSS TRAINING to a UPT rating:
If you already possess a current Tandem Instructor rating from another manufacturer you can get crossed over to the Vector/Sigma rating.

To qualify for cross-training you must:

• possess a current rating from another approved manufacturer
• show proof of at least 25 jumps on this system
• meet all the requirements for the initial UPT tandem course (see above)

YOU NEED TO BRING COPIES OF:

• current tandem rating
• 25 tandem jumps
• USPA card with D-license and Instructional endorsement
• FAA medical certificate

The course consists out of a classroom portion and a minimum of 2 examination jumps. I recommend getting the Vector Tandem manual from the RWS prior to the course. It is available on http://www.unitedparachutetechnologies.com. Cross train candidates must also make the open book written exam. We recommend working on this prior to attending the course.

B. THE STRONG RATING

PRE-REQUISITES

• 18 years of age
• 500 jumps
• 3 years in the sport
• 4 hours of freefall time
• 50 jumps within the last 12 months
• documentation of a cutaway (real emergency or intentional)
• hold a USPA D-license or foreign equivalent
• hold a USPA Coach, jumpmaster or instructional rating or foreign equivalent
• hold an FAA Class III medical certificate or foreign equivalent
• purchase the Strong Tandem Packet, except non-USA residents, who intend to do tandem jumps outside the USA only.

THE STRONG TANDEM PACKET:
Strong requires each candidate to get the tandem packet before the course starts. This packet contains the course books, videos and the rating application forms. You cannot attend the course without the packet!
Non-USA residents, whom intend to do tandem jumps outside the USA only, do not need to purchase the tandem packet but instead pay $25 rating fee to Strong.

THE COURSE:
The course will take 2 up to 3 days (weather permitting).
The course consists out of one day of classroom, 5 examination jumps (phase I)
and a written exam.

You need to bring copies of:

• drivers license (age verification)
• logbook 500 jumps
• logbook pages 3 years in sport
• logbook pages 50 jumps within last 12 months
• logbook page 4 hours of freefall
• logbook page cutaway
• USPA membership card with D-license number and coach or Instructor endorsement
• FAA medical certificate

For the evaluation jumps you will need:

• A baggy jumpsuit
• An open face helmet or a leather hat
• If you own an audible please bring it to use on the evaluation jumps

CROSS TRAIN:
If you already possess a current tandem rating from an approved manufacturer you can get cross trained to the Strong rating.

To qualify for cross training you must:

• hold a current tandem instructor rating from another approved manufacturer
• have at least 25 jumps on that system
• Have at least 25 tandem jumps in the past 12 months
• purchase the Strong Tandem Packet prior to the course, except non USA residents
• meet all the requirements for the initial Strong rating (see above)

YOU MUST BRING COPIES OF:

• Current tandem rating
• proof of 25 tandem jumps
• Drivers license (age verification)
• logbook pages 3 years in sport
• logbook page cutaway
• logbook page 500 jumps
• logbook pages 50 jumps within last 12 months
• logbook page 4 hours of freefall
• FAA medical certificate
• USPA membership card with D-license number and instructional endorsement

For the evaluation jumps you need to bring:

• A baggy jumpsuit
• An open face helmet or a leather hat
• If you own one, please bring your audible to use for the evaluation jumps

THE COURSE
The course consists of a classroom portion and a minimum of 3 examination jumps. Each candidate must make the open book written exam.


C. THE USPA TANDEM RATING COURSE

After completion of the initial Strong or UPT Tandem course you may participate in the USPA Tandem Instructor Rating Course.

PRE-REQUISITES:

• USPA membership
• Hold a USPA Coach Rating
• Finished the manufacturer specific rating
• The USPA Tandem Proficiency card needs to be signed off at items 1-8 if you are a coach and at item 1-2 if you already are a USPA Instructor in another discipline.

THE TANDEM PROFICIENCY CARD
The first thing you need to do after you decide to get the USPA tandem rating is get Tandem Proficiency card. You can find the tandem proficiency card in the back of the IRM, or on-line at USPA's web-site. The card needs to be signed off at the required numbers prior to the course.

THE COURSE:
The course consists out of one day of class room , ground- and in air- evaluations and an open book written exam. The USPA tandem course will take up to 2 days.

THE WRITTEN TEST
Each candidate must complete the open book written test prior to attending the course (The General Instructor test and the Tandem Instructor test) A score of 80 % is required to pass the test. For those who show up without the test completed, or do not score at least 80% on the first test, a 100 % score will be required on the test that is taken during the course.

For further information , course schedule or course registration please contact:
SkydiveRatings.com .

Click here for contact information.