Category H

Welcome to Category H, a pivotal stage in your skydiving progression! Having mastered the foundational freefall and canopy skills in previous categories, you're now ready to refine your precision, understand advanced group dynamics, and delve deeper into the operational and safety knowledge required for independent, larger-group skydiving.

Section 1. Exit and Freefall

Dive to Dock

In previous categories, you practiced establishing your level and moving forward to dock. In Category H, you'll advance to Dive to Dock maneuvers. This involves launching from inside the aircraft and diving down to meet a formation or your coach, executing redocks with greater horizontal and vertical separation than you experienced in Category G. This skill is vital for joining larger formations or navigating dynamic group jumps efficiently.

Breakoff & Tracking

As you prepare for larger group formations, understanding advanced breakoff procedures is critical for safety.

• Minimum Break-off Altitudes: While the minimum for groups of five or fewer in a familiar location is 1,500 feet above the highest planned deployment, for larger groups or mixed groups (hybrids), the minimum break-off altitude should be at least 2,000 feet higher than the highest planned deployment altitude in the group.

• Situational Awareness: During your breakoff sequence, and while tracking, waving-off, and deploying, you must develop the habit of looking sideways and above for other jumpers in the immediate area. This proactive scanning allows you to steer clear under canopy as soon as you open, preventing collisions.

Section 2. Canopy Control

Low-Turn Recovery

The Low-Turn Recovery technique is a critical canopy-flight emergency procedure. This skill builds muscle memory, allowing you to quickly neutralize a turn when you are too low to the ground to achieve a level wing without immediate input. Neutralizing a turn is different from just stopping a turn; it involves pulling down the toggle that is still in full flight to match the lower toggle, resulting in both toggles being in a braked position. This maneuver not only stops the turn but also slows the descent and forward speed.

In a real low-turn emergency, immediately neutralize the turn, hold the toggles evenly in brakes, finish with a braked flare, and prepare for a PLF (Parachute Landing Fall). You'll learn to manage the speed induced by the turn and anticipate a longer, flatter flare. Remember to continue flying your canopy even after premature contact with the ground to reduce further injury.

Section 3. Emergency Review

Water Landings

While skydiving typically involves landing on solid ground, it's crucial to be prepared for an unintentional water landing. You'll review the specific procedures for a water landing, including steps like disconnecting your RSL and loosening your chest strap before entering the water if possible, preparing for a PLF, and the specific flare technique. A key safety rule is to cut away only after your feet are in the water, as depth perception can be unreliable. After landing, get out of your harness if necessary.

For a comprehensive guide, please refer to our in-depth Water Training Page.

Additionally, remember that flotation devices are recommended for jumpers using ram-air canopies when the intended exit, opening, or landing point is within one mile of an open body of water.

Section 4. Equipment

Your understanding of equipment maintenance and proper handling continues to deepen in Category H.

Owner Maintenance of the Three-Ring Release System

To ensure the smooth and reliable operation of your three-ring release system, you should disassemble it every month. This allows you to clean the cables (using silicone spray or manufacturer's recommendation) and exercise the material between the rings. This preventative maintenance addresses the sludge-like coating that can develop on cables, which can cause them to bind and increase the required pull force.

For a visual guide on this maintenance, watch our YouTube video.

Line Stows

Properly stowed lines are critical for a clean and reliable deployment. Ensure your rubber bands are in good shape and hold your line stows securely. Replace any stretched, worn, or broken rubber bands. Line stow bands should grasp the line stow bights tightly, requiring approximately 6-11 pounds of force for extraction.

Main Closing Loop

The main closing loop is a small but vital component. If your closing loop exhibits 10 percent or greater wear, it warrants immediate replacement. A worn or too-loose closing loop can significantly increase the risk of a premature deployment, especially during freeflying maneuvers which add extra stress to the closing system. Always adjust closing loop tension correctly and use only manufacturer-approved closing loop material.

Learn how to make and replace your closing loop with our helpful YouTube tutorial.

Section 5. Spotting and Aircraft

Understanding aircraft operations and associated regulations is key for safe and compliant skydiving.

Aircraft Radio Use Requirements

For jumping to take place, the jump aircraft must have an operating radio, and the pilot must be in contact with air traffic control (ATC) prior to jumping (FAR 105.13).

Notification Before a Jump

Either a jumper or the pilot must notify the appropriate air traffic control facility at least one hour, but no more than 24 hours, prior to jumping in most airspace. Some dropzones may have a written notification renewed annually for their specific location (FAR 105.25 and AC-105-2E).

Aircraft Approved for Flight with Door Removed

It's important to be aware that not all aircraft are safe to operate with their door open or removed. Aircraft that are approved for flight with the door removed may require additional modifications and usually require FAA field approval. Other modifications to a jump aircraft, such as in-flight doors, hand holds, or steps, also require additional field approval or a supplementary type certificate.