Finger Lakes Skydivers offers a complete training program consisting of 5 tandem jumps and 20 freefall training jumps to earn your "A" skydiving license. Once you have completed the program you will be able to jump without the supervision of an instructor. You can buy your own gear, jump in groups with other skydivers, perfect your skills and most of all have FUN.

Download the IAF 1st Jump Study Guide here
(pdf file, you will need acrobat reader to view/print)

FINGER LAKES SKYDIVERS STUDENT TRAINING PROGRAM

There are four stages to the student program:

Stage 1. 5 Tandem Jumps.
Stage 2. 5 Instructor Assisted Freefalls (IAF's).
Stage 3. 5 Solo Freefalls.
Stage 4. 10 RW Coaching Jumps.

MINIMUM 20 FREEFALLS
NOT INCLUDING TANDEMS

COMPLETE ALL OBJECTIVES
LISTED IN BACK OF
STUDENT LOG BOOK

COMPLETE ALL QUALIFICATIONS
FOR USPA "A" LICENSE

STAGE 1.
TANDEM PROGRESSION

Tandem #1 Minimum altitude 7500'
Stable exit, good arch, arms in.
Good body position, student arms out.
Instructor completes 360 degree turn (1 or more as time permits).
Instructor releases drogue (student arms in).
Instructor points out airport to student.
Practice turns and flare.
Student helps to steer, flare and land. (optional)

Tandem #2 Minimum altitude 8500'
Stable exit, good arch, arms in.
Good body position, arms out.
Check altitude, practice touches (3), check horizon / heading.
Instructor does 360degree turn L & R
Check altitude & heading
Wave Off
Student pull (release drogue) at 5500' +/-200'
Help student identify good parachute and locate airport.
Student assist in steering,
Instructor demonstrates (above 1000')
turns left and right at ¼, ½ and full toggle and landing flare.
(¼ =shoulders, ½ =chest, full = arms length)

Tandem #3 Minimum altitude 8500'
Stable exit, good arch, student arms out.
Good freefall body position, arms out.
Check altitude, practice touch, check horizon / heading.
Student does 360 degree right turn, check altitude, 360 degree left turn, check altitude.
Practice touches and check altitude (as times permits).
Wave Off
Student pull (release drogue) at 5500' +/- 100'.
Student identifies good parachute, brake release,
locate airport, assist in steering and landing flare.
Instructor demonstrates (above 1000') flying at ¼ and ½
brakes, turns from brakes, landing flare from
brakes, canopy surge from flare to full flight
and stall recovery.
Instructor demonstrates landing pattern, down wind,
base and final.

Student may attend ground school before tandem #4
Student should join USPA at this time.

Tandem #4 Minimum altitude 8500'
Stable exit, good arch, student arms out, (Minimum
input by instructor on exit to remain stable.)
Check altitude, practice touch, horizon / heading reference.
Delta (tracking position), arms back, legs straight, for 3 to 4 seconds.
Return to freefall body position, check altitude.
360 degree right turn, check altitude, 360 degree left turn, check altitude.
Wave Off.
Pull (release drogue) at 5500' +/- 100'.
Student identifies good parachute, brake release, locates airport.
Student demonstrates (above 1000') turns at ¼, ½, and full toggle,
flying at ¼, and ½ brakes, turns from brakes, and landing flare from brakes
Instructor demonstrates landing pattern, down wind, base, final and
flare with student assistance, land at designated target.

Student must attend ground school before tandem #5
Student must join USPA before tandem #5

Tandem #5 Minimum altitude 8500'.
Stable exit, good arch, arms out. (Exit should remain
stable with little or no input by instructor.)
Check altitude, practice touch, horizon / heading reference.
Instructor induces 90 degree turn, student returns to heading, check altitude,
repeat as time permits, stop at 6000'.
Student must be altitude aware.
Wave Off
Pull (release drogue) at 5500'.
Student, identifies good parachute, brake release,
locates airport, initiates steering of canopy,
follows landing pattern, flair and land at designated target.

From an altitude of 8500' it may be difficult to complete all tasks. Since most jumps are made at 10,000' or higher, tasks not completed on a lower jump may be included in following jumps.

Before proceeding to IAF jumps, students must complete the following:

1. Have attended ground school.
2. Be a USPA member.
3. Completed at least 6 practice touches.
4. Completed 3 actual ripcord pulls at proper altitude, including last 2 tandems.
5. Demonstrate ability to turn right and left.
6. Demonstrate ability to hold a heading using the ground / horizon as a reference.
7. Demonstrate the tracking position.
8. Demonstrate altitude awareness.
9. Demonstrate ability to locate the airport while under canopy.
10. Demonstrate turns at ¼, ½, and full toggle.
11. Demonstrate flying and turns from ¼ and ½ brakes.
12. Demonstrate landing flare from brakes and full glide.

Last tandem and first IAF should be done within 2 days and no more than 8 days.

STAGE 2.
IAF SEQUENCE (See last page for TLO's)

IAF #1 Minimum Altitude 9500'.
Stable Exit ( instructor has grips).
Good Body Position.
COA (Circle of Awareness) check altitude, heading.
Student responds to hand signals.
1 - PRCT (Practice Ripcord Touch).
5000' Wave Off - Look, Reach, Pull at 4500', Check
(If extra altitude (i.e. 13,000') repeat COA and
PRCT to occupy time down to 5000').
NO release by instructor.
Ground assistance for canopy control.

IAF #2 Minimum Altitude 9500'.
Stable Exit ( instructor has grips).
Good Body Position.
COA (altitude, heading, instructor).
Respond to signals.
1 - PRCT.
360 degree Turn, check altitude.
360 degree Turn opposite direction, check altitude
No maneuvers below 6000' hold heading.
4500' Wave Off - Look, Reach, Pull at 4000', Check.
NO release by instructor.
Ground assistance for canopy control.

IAF #3 Minimum Altitude 9500'.
Stable Exit (Instructor has grips).
Good Body Position.
COA.
1 - PRCT.
Respond to signals.
Instructor transitions to the front.
Release at instructor's discretion.
Student to follow instructor for turns and forward
motion to redock.
Check altitude at the completion of each maneuver.
Stops maneuvers at 6000' (hold heading).
4500' Wave Off, Look and Pull at 4000'.
Ground assistance for canopy control on standby.

SHOULD ATTEND PACKING CLASS AT THIS TIME

IAF # 4 Minimum Altitude 9500'.
Poised solo exit (No grips by instructor).
Good body position, hold heading of aircraft if able.
COA - instructor set's up in front of student.
Respond to signals.
Student does 360 degree turn, stop, check altitude.
Repeat as altitude allows - no maneuvers below 6000'.
4500' Wave Off, Look and Pull at 4000'.
Self canopy control, landing at pea gravel target.

IAF #5 Minimum Altitude 9500'.
Solo exit, diving at instructor.
Hold heading .
COA.
Try backloop.
Regain stability ASAP, turn back to heading.
Check altitude.
Repeat back loops to 6000'.
Hold heading below 6000'.
5500' turn 180 degrees, hold heading and track for 3 seconds.
4500' Wave Off, Look and Pull at 4000'.
Self canopy control, landing at pea gravel target.

Before Proceeding to Solo Jumps, students must complete the following:

1. Completed at least 4 actual ripcord pulls at proper altitude (including #4 and #5).
2. Demonstrate the ability to maintain stable freefall and hold a heading.
3. Demonstrate ability to turn 360 degree right and 360 degree left.
4. Demonstrate ability to regain stability from an unstable position.
5. Demonstrate forward movement while in the tracking position.
6. Demonstrate altitude awareness.
7. Demonstrate ability to steer the parachute and land safely on the airport (unassisted).
8. Demonstrate ability to properly pack the main parachute or attend packing class.
9. Demonstrate ability to inspect the parachute system and dress oneself.
10. Demonstrate ability to perform gear checks on others skydivers.

CANOPY CONTROL SKILLS
TO BE COMPLETED DURING STAGES 3 AND 4.

Students will attempt to land at the pea gravel target on all jumps during the training program except when wind conditions (south east) may cause turbulence in that area. Instructor will inform the student of an alternate landing area.

The following objectives must be completed during the SOLO and RW portions of the program.
More than one objective may be performed on each jump.

1. Students will aquire practice spotting.
2. Demonstrate a correct parachute landing fall on an actual landing.
3. Demonstrate an approach to the target using ¼ to ½ (shoulder to chest) brakes with a landing flare from brakes.
4. Perform turns left and right using rear risers with brakes set and released (above 2000 feet).
5. Perform 90 degree full toggle turn followed immediately by a 180 degree full toggle turn in the opposite direction, perform once in each direction (above 2000 feet).
6. Perform full canopy flare to stall followed immediately by toggles to full glide (all the way up) (above 2000 feet).
7. Perform stall recovery, flare canopy to full stall followed immediately by toggles to ½ brakes (above 2000 feet).
8. Perform front riser dive and turns in both directions (above 2000 feet).
9. Land within 20 meters of the target on at least 5 jumps.

STAGE 3.
SOLO FREEFALL SEQUENCE
AND CANOPY CONTROL SKILLS

PHASE 1 TURNS.
Poised exit (facing aircraft direction of flight).
Get stable.
Assume aircraft heading.
360 degree turns right and left stopping on aircraft heading
between turns.
5000 - 5500' turn 180 degrees, track, wave off, look, pull at 4000'
Repeat Phase 1 until heading and turns can performed
+/-15 degrees of aircraft heading.
Do not proceed to Phase 2 until turns are perfected.

PHASE 2 BACK LOOPS.
Diving exit.
Get stable.
Assume aircraft heading.
Practice back loops one at a time.
Regain stability, heading, check altitude between each
attempt.
No attempts below 5000'.
Tracking not necessary unless practice is needed.
Wave off, look, pull at 4000'.
Repeat Phase 2 until heading can be maintained +/- 15 degrees of aircraft heading and back loops can be stopped +/- 45 degrees up or down of level.
Do not proceed to Phase 3 until back loops are perfected.

PHASE 3 TURNS AND BACK LOOP SERIES.
Diving exit.
Get stable.
Turn to and maintain aircraft heading.
360 degree Right turn, stop +/- 15 degrees of aircraft heading.
360 degree Left Turn, stop +/- 15 degrees of aircraft heading.
Back loop, stop +/- 15 degrees of aircraft heading and +/- 45 degrees up or down of level.
Repeat as time permits
No maneuvers below 5500'
5000' turn 180*, track, wave off, look, pull at 4000'
Repeat Phase 3 until series perfected.
Do not proceed to Phase 4 until turn and back loop series is perfected.

PHASE 4 EVALUATION DIVE, MUST BE DEMONSTRATED TO AN INSTRUCTOR (supervised freefall).
Dive out of aircraft
Get stable
Assume aircraft heading
360 degree right turn +/-15* on heading
360 degree left turn +/- 15* on heading
Backloop +/- 45 degrees up or down +/- 15 degrees on heading
Fall stable on heading +/- 15 degrees
5000' turn 180degrees, track minimum of 100 feet horizontally on heading.
Wave off, look, pull at 4000'
Instructor exits after student and remains out of sight
( 10 ft. above and 10 ft. off to the side )
Student is to use the ground / horizon for reference,
not the instructor.

PHASE 5 FRONT LOOPS AND BARREL ROLLS.
Stable or diving exit
Assume aircraft heading
Practice front loops and barrel rolls
Maintain altitude awareness
Wave off, look, pull at 4000'

ADDITIONAL FREEFALL SKILLS

A. Student must make one solo jump from 4000' with stable pull within 5 seconds of exit. This jump may be done any time after solo jump # 4.

B. Student must demonstrate to an instructor, one front loop and one barrel roll. This may be done any time after Phase 5 and may be done on an RW Training jump.

NOTE: DO NOT FORGET TO COMPLETE THE CANOPY CONTROL SKILLS.

STAGE 4.
RW TRAINING SEQUENCE
AND CANOPY CONTROL SKILLS

This stage of training has the following student objectives (performance) as its goal:

PHASE 1 RATE OF DESCENT AND FLYING LEVEL DRILL.
Linked exit, drop grips when stable, fly face to face and maintain 3 to 5 feet horizontal separation.
Instructor moves up 3 feet, student slows rate of descent and moves up level with instructor.
Instructor moves down 3 feet, student increases rate of descent and moves down level with instructor.
Repeat as altitude allows.
Student maintains altitude awareness.
Student initiates breakoff at 4500'.
Student turns, tracks, looks, waves, and pulls by 3500'.
Repeat this Phase increasing distance to 10 feet vertically until student can perform consistently.

PHASE 2 APPROACH AND DOCKING DRILL.
Linked exit, drop grips when flying stable.
Instructor backs up 6-8 feet, student flys approach to instructor and docks.
Repeat as altitude allows.
Student maintains altitude awareness.
Student initiates breakoff at 4500'
Student turns, tracks, looks, waves, and pulls by 3500'.
Repeat this Phase increasing distance 15 to 20 feet horizontally until student can perform consistently.

PHASE 3 DIVING AND DOCKING DRILL.
Instructor does poised exit and maintains aircraft heading, student dives after instructor.
Student dives a minimum of 100 feet, flys approach and initiates a safe dock without any assistance from instructor.
Student maintains altitude awareness.
Student initiates breakoff at 4500'
Student turns, tracks, looks, waves, and pulls by 3500'.
This jump must be satisfactorily performed two times.

Stage 2, IAF Sequence includes the following
Targeted Learning Objectives (TLO's)

All IAF's. Stable exit.
Good body position in freefall.
Maintain proper heading.
Awareness in freefall (COA).
Solo pull at proper altitude.

IAF# 2. 360 degree turns, stop on heading.

IAF# 3. Stable hover in freefall.

IAF# 4. Solo poised stable exit.
360 degree turns, stop on heading.
Forward motion to dock with instructor.
Self canopy control.

IAF# 5. Solo diving stable exit.
Regain stability and heading after backloop.
Track while holding heading.
Self canopy control.

NOTE STUDENTS MUST HAVE COMPLETED ALL STAGES OF THE TRAINING PROGRAM
INCLUDING:

1. Practice spotting.
2. Canopy control skills.
3. Low jump from 4000 feet.
4. All requirements in back of student log signed off.
5. A license card completed and signed off.