Description

USPA group member dropzones require all tandem instructors to hold the USPA Tandem Instructor rating in addition to the factory rating.

For the evaluation jumps please make sure to bring a baggy jump suit, an open face helmet or a frap hat as well as a visible and audible altimeter.

The course prepares you to take students skydiving, and you’re responsible for their entire flight.
The Tandem rating requires a solid proficiency of canopy control skills –and more importantly– landing skills.  Of course, landing with a passenger is the biggest factor that sets the tandem rating apart from other instructor ratings.

You need a UPT rating to jump a Sigma and/or Vector tandem system. If you need multiple ratings you can get cross trained to another tandem system after you have at least 25 jumps on one system. The manufacturer must approve the rating you have. Less examination jumps are required. If you need two ratings right away, it requires two full tandem rating courses for each rating.

Tandem Instructor Course will endorse you for both the USPA Tandem Instructor as well as for the UPT manufacturer rating VECTOR2/SIGMA systems.

Course Duration: 6 days (weather depending)

Minimum 2 candidates per course, maximum group of 5 candidates.

Reservation: In order to reserve a spot, you need to pay a deposit of 300 €. This deposit is valid for one year and is non-refundable.

Please note that the remaining balance is to be paid in full before the course, in cash or by credit card.

Course price does not include jump tickets (2 slots for tandem) and SIGMA rig rental.

Prerequisites:

USPA, UPT Vector/Sigma, Wings Plexus

• Must be over 18
• Current USPA Membership
• Hold or has held any USPA Coach or Instructional rating
• Earned a USPA D License
• Logged 500 jumps on a ram-air canopy (Logbook required)
• A minimum of three years in the sport
• Presented a Class 3 Medical Certificate or the equivalent
• Current USPA Membership
• Study content of IRM (part Tandem)
• Fill in pre-requisites on the USPA Tandem Proficiency Card > USPA
• Fill in the answer sheet of the Open Book Exam of the General-I and Tandem -I prior to the course  > USPA
• Study content of UPT VECTOR2 and SIGMA manual (to be downloaded through UPT)
• Fill in the written exams of UPT VECTOR2 (65 questions)  and SIGMA (20 questions) > UPT

Proficiency Card

The “Tandem Instructor Proficiency Card” can be found in the IRM and serves as your rating application to be send to the USPA after the course. Most requirements will be signed off during the course by I/E or evaluator. Coaches need to have the numbers 1-7 signed off at the start of the course.

The first thing you should do if you consider taking the course is look at the proficiency card to see what needs to be done prior to the course. The signatures will be valid for 12 months.

Course

The course is 6 days (depending on weather and number of candidates). The first day consists mainly of classroom (verification of all requirements) and practical ground training, the second day consists of practical activities (including jumping and evaluations). The third day is spent accumulating the additional practical requirements to become certified or allowed to jump with customers.

USPA enters into training at Phase 2, as a manufacturer’s rating is required first.

Phase 1: Formal Application

UPT

For UPT there are five jumps: one solo and four with the examiner.
Jump 1: Solo; this is an equipment orientation jump, including the opportunity to fly a flight plan and land a tandem canopy on your own.
Jump 2: Tandem Instructor Candidate (TIC) as Passenger (examiner or evaluator). On this jump, the routine of the TI is realistically demonstrated in full.
Jump 3: TIC as Tandem Instructor (TI). Stable exit about 7.5K Ft, drogue within 5-8 seconds, maintain stability while doing 3 practice handle checks; pull drogue release by 5,500 Ft.; good landing.
Jump 4: TIC as TI. Stable exit above 10.5k ft. Drogue within 5-8 Seconds; 3 handles check, two 360 turns right and left; drogue release by 5.5k ft.; stand up landing (wind permitting) within 50m of the target.
Jump 5: TIC as TI; Unstable Exit above 10.5K; 3 handles check, 2 x 360 turns with heading control; stable drogue deployment at 7.5k Ft.; pull drogue release by 5.5K Ft., stand up landing (wind permitting) within 50m of the target.

Phase 2: Practical Application

UPT and USPA

The second phase is done on your own. It consists of 5 jumps with licensed skydivers.
Jumps 6-10: These are done with licensed skydivers, with at least 100 jumps that are current. Passengers must be briefed on correct tandem emergency responses. Nice stable exits are a must. This is where you are working on perfecting the exits with different body types, further learning to fly your body in a tandem configuration. Performing the correct procedure is mandatory – passengers must sign the logbook. These jumps must be made as solo tandem jumps, no Formation Skydiving is to be performed.

Phase 3: Probationary Period
This requirement is for the UPT Vector and Sigma Tandem ratings only.
The “probationary period” consists of jumps 11-25, where you can take actual students. These jumps can be with first-time students and a witness. The witness must be a licensed skydiver or Sigma/Vector owner who will sign the logbook when they are satisfied with the TI’s performance. Again, these jumps must be made as solo tandem jumps, no Formation Skydiving is to be performed.
Once the 25th jump is completed, you will submit your logbook and paperwork to UPT for your Tandem Instructor rating.

Terms & Conditions:

The final decision on your suitability to skydive rests entirely with instructors and you must comply with the skydiving center’s rules at all times.

Giving incorrect personal information when booking may result in you forfeiting all the costs for the course.

Students must accept that all the equipment used to practice skydiving is in perfect conditions of use and properly maintained. Furthermore, they are responsible for the condition of personal equipment, and the personal equipment even being suitably maintained and revised periodically can suffer malfunctions being exposed to extreme conditions.

Students are bound to declare the necessary documents before making skydiving activity, showing sufficient insurance to cover any medical costs and the mandatory Third Party Liability cover. EU members are reminded that European Health Insurance Card may not cover all medical costs and does not cover any long-term medical or repatriation costs.

Please note that the remaining balance is to be paid in full before the course, in cash or by credit card.

If you fail to turn up on the day without giving at least 5 days’ notice you will lose your deposit.

Any courses taken with promotional prices must be fully completed to keep the discounted price. If the course is not completed, all jumps will be charged at the normal (higher) costs.

If bad weather prevents you from jumping, a new date can be arranged for mutual convenience. No refunds are offered for not jumping due to bad weather.

If you arrive without the necessary paperwork, you may forfeit your course along with all costs incurred.

Do you feel sad leaving the dz and going back to your “real” job? Book your Tandem instructor course now!