AFF Pre-Course and AFF Instructor Course

FebruARY 7-12, 2023

COURSE DETAILS

**ALL COURSES ARE PRICED FOR CASH PAYMENTS ** COURSE CANCELLATIONS WILL INCUR A $50 FEE TO THE DEPOSIT**

The AFF rating is our most popular rating. Being able to teach someone the sport that we all love so much is rewarding and fun. The AFF rating course is the most challenging and rewarding course we offer. Our goal is to teach you the skills necessary to pass the AFF rating course before we test you so you can be a confident AFF Instructor ready to train students.

REQUIREMENTS:

To participate in a USPA AFF rating course you need the following:

• be 18 years old
• USPA membership
• USPA C-license. USPA only accepts USPA Licenses.We can help you with the USPA License application.
• Hold a USPA Coach rating
• if you hold the Coach rating for less than 12 months you need to have at least 500 jumps
• Documentation of 6 hours of accumulated freefall time
• Have the AFF pre-course activity signed off on your USPA online profile

PREPARATION:

The course books for any USPA rating course are the SIM and IRM which can be ordered from USPA. You are required to arrive at the course with the online exam for that specific course completed. The exams are open book tests.A score of 80 % is required to pass the exam. This can be done online after you have enrolled in the course, but before you arrive at the actual course.

THE USPA AFF PRE-COURSE ACTIVITY:

The pre-course activities, or pre-requisites, are the best preparation tool for any rating course. Not only are they required before joining the course, but they will also give you an edge and a taste of what it’s like to work with students. After you have enrolled in a USPA rating course, you will be able to go into your online USPA profile, under credential->education->”view my pre-reqs for rating course” and there you will be able to see all the pre-course activities. Your instructor can sign them off online through the “verify” function on their USPA profile. Make sure you get them all signed off before arriving at the course.

AFF PRE-COURSE TRAINING:

We start our AFF courses with AFF pre-course training, and this is integrated in the full AFF rating course. Skydive Ratings has developed a coaching program which has proven since 1993, to prepare candidates to be successful in the AFF rating course.

During AFF pre-course you will receive coaching in the specific AFF in-air skills.The practice jumps start simple and become more complex and challenging as you progress until you are ready for the actual evaluation jumps. Things we work on are

• flying hard exits,
• slot flying with a moving student
• reading the student’s body position
• properly presenting hand signals,
• blocking and re-docking
• smart flying long distances
• stopping spins,
• rolling over an inverted student
• assisting with deployment including pulling for the student.

The pre-course will prepare you 100% for the evaluation jumps. After each jump, you will receive a recommendation from your evaluator.If you want we can organize wind tunnel training for you as well (Florida courses) If you would like to receive our AFF pre-course modules, just send us an email and ask for AFF course info. ([email protected])

THE COURSE:

After the first day of pre-course coaching, there is a full day of class. Once the class is completed we can start with evaluations. However, we allow candidates to continue to make practice jumps if they are not ready for the “hot jumps” yet. On average an AFF rating course takes 5-6 days to complete depending on the size of the group and weather conditions.

To pass the course you need to have a satisfactory score on:

• Category C main side evaluation jump
• Category C reserve side evaluation jump
• Category D evaluation jump
• Category C and D ground preparation
• score 80 % on the IRM written exam

To get a satisfactory score on an evaluation jump you have to score 75 % satisfactory on the AFF in air evaluation form. You can find the evaluation forms in the IRM. The scoring will be explained to you during the AFF pre-course and you will know exactly what we are looking for.

AFF COURSE TUNNEL TRAINING:

We developed a program which is seamlessly coordinated with our pre-course modules to optimize your preparation for the AFF course. With the Tampa IFly tunnel only 20 minutes away from the dropzone, tunnel coaching has become easier than ever before. It will be the best preparation you can do in the tunnel.This program is only available for skydivers taking their course at SkydiveRatings. Contact us for more information.

EQUIPMENT CONCERNS:

For your and our safety, we ask you to remove all sharp objects from your helmet for the practice and evaluation jumps. Things like brackets and camera housings etcetera. Because there is head to body contact on exit and sometimes during the skydive as well, smooth helmets are a must. Full face helmets are allowed during the course.

Bring a jumpsuit that you are comfortable with. Bootie suits are a great help because in AFF aggressive flying is sometimes necessary. For a larger range in fall rate, weight belts and baggy shirts over a normal jumpsuit are very helpful. The pre-course is the time to try out new suits and get comfortable with your suit. If you prefer your freefly suit that is fine too. Whatever suit is comfortable for you. If you have more than one jumpsuit, bring them all.

FOREIGN CONVERSION:

USPA has changed the rules for challenging an AFF rating. If you hold a current foreign AFF rating, you will have to complete all the normal evaluation jumps, and audit the full course, minus the sections related to First Jump Course. If you want more information, send us an email at [email protected] and we’ll tell you all about it!

RENEWING AN EXPIRED AFF RATING:

If your rating has lapsed more than 1 year you need to make one evaluation jump with an AFF Instructor-Examiner including the jump preparation, supervision during the jump and debriefing and pass the online exam.

If your rating has lapsed more than 2 years you will have to completely retake the full AFF course.

Renewing your AFF Instructor rating will automatically renew your Coach rating

FREE TRY-OUT:

If you like to know where you stand before signing up for a course come see us and make a practice jump with us. Besides the cost of the jump tickets, there is no charge for this service.