USPA AFF Instructor Rating by Skydive Ratings

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.

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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 pre-requisites of the USPA AFF proficiency card signed off.

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 IRM written exam for that specific course completed. The IRM exams are open book tests.A score of 80 % is required to pass the exam.

THE USPA AFF PROFICIENCY CARD:

The AFF proficiency card is in the back of the IRM or if you send us an email we will send you one .This card needs to be signed off at the pre-requisites before the course starts If you are already an instructor you can skip the starred numbers. The signatures are valid for 24 months so don’t worry about starting too early.The numbers on the back of the card are signed during the course by the Instructor Examiner. This is all marked on the card itself and is pretty much self explanatory.

AFF PRE-COURSE TRAINING:

We start our AFF courses with AFF pre-course training. 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 have our own tunnel coach, Ryan Bolohan. Together with Ryan, 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 to set up your tunnel AFF session with Ryan.

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.

CHALLENGING THE COURSE:

If you hold a foreign AFF rating you may be able to challenge the AFF rating course. Starting January 1, 2018, USPA has changed the challenge requirements. To convert your foreign AFF rating to a USPA AFF rating you need to do all the evaluations as required for someone who takes the course for the first time. You are just not required to audit the class portion. Send us an email for further information and we will tell you everything about it: [email protected]

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 written exam from the IRM.

If your rating has lapsed more than 2 years. You will have to come to a scheduled AFF course and:

• Audit the class portion of the AFFIRC
• Complete one complete Categeory D student ground briefing
• Complete 2 evaluation jumps. One Category C and one Category D.
• Complete at least one satisfactory debrief.
• Pass the written exam from the IRM
• attend a rating renewal seminar

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.