Wsi Rating Executive Summary

Wingsuit Instructor Rating Proposal Wingsuit Working Group

Executive Summary May 2009

Scope • What this proposal covers: – New wingsuit-specific instructional ratings – First flight instruction for new wingsuiters

• What this proposal is not intended to change: – Coaching for wingsuiters with prior wingsuit experience – Requirements for skydivers who have completed their first wingsuit jump prior to the adoption of this proposal 1

Key Concepts • Two new ratings: – Wingsuit Instructor (“WSI”) – Wingsuit Instructor Examiner (“WSI/E”)

• Section 6-9(c)(1) of the SIM modified: – Skydivers now required to successfully complete a USPA First Flight Course prior to being cleared for wingsuit flights without a WSI 2

USPA First Flight Course (FFC) • Uniform syllabus through which all USPA FFCs will be taught • Consists of two components: – Ground School – Air Skills

• FFC must conform to all of the USPA’s recommendations for wingsuiting (including recommended minimum jump numbers)

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USPA First Flight Course (FFC) •

FFC Ground School component includes segments on: – – – – – – – – –

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Gear selection Rigging and wearing the wingsuit Exit techniques Basic flight techniques Navigation Deployment procedures Emergency procedures Pilot communications Oral quiz

FFC Air Skills component includes: – Gearing up with WSI – Completion of at least one wingsuit skydive

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Successful completion of both will result in student being cleared to conduct wingsuit skydives without an WSI 4

Wingsuit Instructor (WSI) Rating • Authorized to conduct FFCs and to clear skydivers to conduct wingsuit skydives without an WSI • Key Requirements: – – – –

USPA Coach or other Instructor rating USPA C license or its equivalent Completed 200 wingsuit jumps Either: • Successful completion of Wingsuit Instructor Course • Challenging the course

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Wingsuit Instructor Rating Course • Conducted by WSI/E • Focuses on instructional technique with the FFC Syllabus as its backbone • Consists of two major components: – Classroom/Lecture (typically, two days) – Practice/Evaluation (typically, one to two days)

• Includes a written exam 6

“Challenging the Course” • Intended to permit currently highly experienced wingsuit instructors to become WSI without attending the classroom/lecture portion of the Wingsuit Instructor Course • Candidate must conduct the following while overseen by an WSI/E: – the Ground School component of two FFCs – the Air Skills component of four FFCs

• Candidate must demonstrate instructional and practical skills equivalent to the requirements of the Wingsuit Instructor Course 7

Keeping WSI Rating Current • To keep a WSI rating current, on an annual basis a WSI must, among other things: – Act as a WSI on 15 wingsuit jumps (these need not be FFC jumps) – Attend the USPA Instructor Seminar – Conduct at least one full FFC

• If a rating lapses, the un-current WSI may renew the rating by completing one full FFC (including Air Skills component) with a WSI/E acting as a student. 8

Wingsuit Instructor Examiner • Authorized to conduct the Wingsuit Instructor Rating Course and to appoint WSIs, whether through the candidates’ successful completion of the course or by challenging the course • Key requirements: – – – –

WSI Rating USPA D License or its equivalent Conducted 50 FFCs Completed 500 wingsuit jumps (including 100 in the last 12 months) – Completed Wingsuit Instructor Examiner Rating course 9

Wingsuit Instructor Examiner Rating Course • Course to be taught by Wingsuit Instructor Examiner evaluator. • “Wingsuit Instructor Examiner evaluator” – – – –

Not a formal rating WSI/E who has conducted at least 100 FFC jumps Appointed by USPA Board of Directors Attend the entire classroom portion of a Wingsuit Instructor Rating Course every two years

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Related Issues • Coaching – Wingsuit coaching - wingsuit education and training after completion of the USPA FFC - may be conducted by any experienced wingsuiter (i.e., the coach is not required to hold a WSI rating or any other USPA instructional rating).

• Grandfathering – The FFC requirement will apply only to skydivers who have not yet completed their first wingsuit flight prior to the effective date of the proposal. – Any skydiver who has completed his or her first wingsuit flight prior to the effective date does not have to complete a USPA FFC. 11