The USPA dropzones require all tandem Instructors to hold the USPA Tandem-Instructor rating in addition to the manufacturer tandem rating. The USPA TA-Instructor rating makes you an Instructor for USPA giving you Instructor privileges.
Normal sequence will be that you take the factory rating course first and the USPA portion afterwards.
Pre-requisites:
- USPA membership
- Hold a USPA Coach Rating
- Hold a USPA D-license.
- Have a current FAA class 3 medical
- Pre-requisites on the USPA Tandem proficiency Card should be signed off
USPA only accepts USPA licenses. In order to get a USPA D-license all previous license requirements need to be met and the exams made. We can help you with the USPA license application if needed.
Proficiency Card:
You need to get the pre-requisites signed off on the USPA Tandem Proficiency Card.
You can find the card in the IRM or on USPA’s web-site.Coaches need to have the numbers 1-7 signed off at the start of the course The Examiner will verify number 9. All USPA Instructors in another discipline may skip the starred requirements. Candidates should make the open book IRM exam prior to the course. For the Tandem rating you need to bring the answers to the General Instructor and to the Tandem exam to class. There are answer sheets in the IRM as well.
The course:
The course will take 2-3 days.Some parts of the course requirements are done during the manufacturer’s rating course. The USPA portion is mostly focused on student training on Tandem and freefall training and jumping in the IAD or Static Line freefall progression
PRE-REQUISITES:
* * * 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
