Tandem Ratings Courses

Have you ever thought of strapping a stranger to yourself and using a rig that is twice as complicated as a normal one, and jumping out of an airplane! Only those who have done it can really appreciate its beauty and fun.

 

The course is heavily focused on gear and procedures – knowing the gear, memorizing and being proficient with standard and emergency procedures, and then readapting the flying skills you already have to this tandem environment.  It is an awesome and exciting journey!

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The USPA Tandem Trainer rating allows the rating holder to conduct tandem discovery flights. The trainer provides instruction, knowledge, and debriefing skills specific to that discovery experience, but is not authorized to conduct student training jumps that count toward the participant’s license requirements.

 

The USPA Tandem Instructor rating allows the rating holder to conduct not only discovery flights, but also tandem instructional jumps where the participant applies knowledge and skills toward the requirements for a skydiving license.

 

Because both of the USPA tandem ratings require the rating holder to be trained and certified on the specific tandem equipment that they will be using, we offer the UPT Sigma Tandem Instructor Certification as an integral part of our USPA Tandem courses.

 

Tandem Trainer Candidate Prerequisites

Candidates must be current USPA members and meet all the following requirements before applying for a USPA Tandem Instructor Rating Course:

• reached the age of 18 years

• been issued a USPA D license

• holds or held any USPA Coach rating or completed the online TandemTrainer-Coach training modules

• completed at least 500 jumps on a square canopy

• a minimum of three years of experience in parachuting

• hold a current medical certificate acceptable to USPA

• trained on the equipment they will be jumping by an appropriate manufacturer-rated examiner and completed the appropriate manufacturer course.

 

Tandem Instructor Candidate Prerequisites

Candidates must be current USPA members and meet all the following requirements before attending a USPA Tandem Instructor Rating Course:

• reached the age of 18 years

• issued a USPA D license

• holds or held any USPA instructional rating

• completed at least 500 jumps on a square canopy MINIMUM OF THREE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE is counted from the date of your first jump.

• a minimum of three years of experience in parachuting

• holds a current medical certificate acceptable to USPA

• trained on the equipment they will be jumping by an appropriate manufacturer-rated examiner and completed all jumps in the manufacturer course that require examiner supervision.

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​​Tandem Courses Frequently Asked Questions:

 

How long is the course?

Depending on the number of students and the number of evaluators, the course is normally scheduled for either three or four days. 

 

What is the best way to prepare for the Tandem Course?

Getting to know the gear is one of the two biggest learning curves in the course. So before coming to the course, get together with a packer or a rigger, and have them explain the system to you. Put the rig on and touch all the handles. Maybe pack the rig a few times. Getting acquainted and knowledgeable with the gear will help you greatly.

 

The second thing is to really take canopy flight planning seriously on your sport rig. Under a tandem canopy you will have a higher workload, and landing off or being low in your pattern because of simply not paying attention to the wind is not acceptable at all. Know exactly what the winds are doing on every load you go on.  Plan your canopy dive flow and follow your plan.  This will help you greatly with the canopy portion of the Tandem course.

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What should I wear during the skydives?

Choose a jumpsuit with looser arms and legs to increase drag. Increased drag improves the stability with students and helps reduce rocking or “potato chipping” during drogue fall. 

 

When will I be able to take paying customers?

To be authorized by UPT to conduct their first tandem student jump, the candidate must first complete the UPT certification course (including all 10 training jumps); next, the completed application and logbook package must then be submitted by the Examiner to UPT; and finally the candidate must then pay the rating fee to UPT. 

 

To be authorized by USPA to serve as a Tandem Trainer or Tandem Instructor, the candidate must have manufacturer’s approval, the USPA Examiner’s recommendation following successful completion of the USPA tandem curriculum, and must purchase the rating from USPA. 

 

If weather cooperates, you will have all this completed by the end of the class! (Note:  some restrictions will apply during the ensuing probationary period.)