USPA A-License Roadmap

Navigating Your Solo Progression: Beyond AFF

Congratulations! You've completed your AFF jumps and are now cleared for solo freefall. This is a thrilling new phase where you have the freedom to practice and explore. While exhilarating, it also means you're fully in charge. Here's what to keep in mind as you work toward your A-License:

Gear & Manifesting: Your New Responsibilities

• Rental Gear Checks: If you're renting gear, remember you're now fully in charge of your pre-jump checks. Rental gear can be the most abused,so be very careful and thorough.

• Manifesting Etiquette: You're in charge of manifesting yourself. Make the manifestor's life (and yours) easier:

  • Be packed and ready before manifesting.

  • Smile and politely ask which load you can get on.

  • Remember your load number and call time.

  • Avoid changing your mind about loads or altitudes once manifested.

  • Gear Up Early: Start gearing up at least 10 minutes (15 at busier DZs) before your call time. It’s better to be early than scrambling and risking a misrouted chest strap. If you find yourself rushing, it’s always best to miss the load – even if it costs you.

  • Higher Pulls: If you plan to pull above 3,500 feet / 1,067 meters, let others on the load know so they can help position you for an appropriate exit order.

Skydiving: Planning Your Own Jumps

This is a big shift from AFF, where everything was dictated. Now, you're in charge!

• Plan Your Entire Jump: Before you even get on the plane, plan your jump from start to finish:

  • Exit Type: How will you get out? If you haven't done your hop-n-pops yet, consider a stable exit and touching your deployment handle within 5 seconds for extra practice.

  • Freefall Maneuvers: Decide what skills you'll practice.

  • Pull Altitude: Confirm your deployment height.

  • Canopy Maneuvers: Plan your canopy work.

  • Landing Pattern: Visualize your approach and landing.

• Maneuver Timing: Perform all disorienting or faster fall rate maneuvers (like flips, barrel rolls, or beginning tracking) at the beginning of your jump when you have maximum altitude.

• Exit Order & Separation: It's your responsibility to know the load's exit order and the required separation time between groups on jump run (hint: it's not always 3-5 seconds!).

• Spotting: You're in charge of spotting for yourself. Know how to open the door in case it becomes your responsibility. Learn this on the ground from an experienced jumper.

• Camera Rule (DZ Specific): At our DZ, jumping with a camera (even a GoPro or cell phone for selfies) is not permitted until you have 100+ jumps. This rule is in place because we've seen too many people prioritize photos over safety and readiness.

• Clothing: If you're not wearing a jumpsuit in warm weather, be aware that your clothing could cover your emergency handles in freefall, and take appropriate precautions.

Under Your Parachute: Continuous Skill Refinement

Every jump is an opportunity to improve your canopy skills:

• Parachute Flight Skills: Always be working on refining your control inputs and understanding of your canopy.

• Landing Accuracy & Pattern: While accuracy is a goal, an appropriate landing pattern is of primary concern on every jump. Prioritize safety and consistency.

• Post-Jump Equipment Care: Continue to take great care of your equipment. Avoid dragging fabric across the ground and keep your gear out of direct sunlight.

Other Duties: Beyond the Sky

• Logging Your Jumps: You are responsible for logging each jump. Record the jump number, freefall time, what you did (maneuvers), landing accuracy (e.g., within 2 meters / 6.5 feet, 10 meters / 33 feet, 20 meters / 66 feet, and 25 meters / 82 feet increments), and have each jump signed by a licensed skydiver.

• Your Safety, Your Responsibility: Always double-check with an instructor or coach whenever you have questions. Never hesitate to ask for advice regarding what you should or should not do in freefall or under canopy. Your safety is paramount.

Last Helpful Hint: Embrace Weather Holds!

• Show Up on Bad Weather Days: Some of the best learning happens on the ground! When jumping isn't possible due to weather, it's a prime opportunity to talk with instructors and experienced jumpers, ask questions, and learn from their insights.