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  SPORTS SKYDIVERS ASSOCIATION (SSA)


 

Artistic Events
By Tamsin Stedall

We would like to remind all freeflyers that the freefly C and D licence requirements as well as the AE coach rating requirements shown in Section 7 of the current version of the Manual of Procedures have been replaced with the following. These changes will reflect in the next version of the MOPs once the entire document has been updated but have been confirmed by safety and training as effective immediately.

5.1  FREEFLYING

C-Licence Requirements

These jumps are mostly done in feet down. Video evidence filmed by any competent freeflyer, whether a coach or not, is sufficient. Third-eye footage is optional. Footage must be reviewed by a member of the current AE sub committee of the SSA or a current AE coach, unless the jump was done with a coach of which a signature from the coach is sufficient.

Jump requirement 1
Unlinked exit on feet, Face-off, Hand Dock, Over-Under, Face-off, Hand Dock, Head-up orbit once (at least 180 degrees) Back Track on break-off Barrel roll to belly for opening.

Jump requirement 2
Linked Head Down exit with right hand grip from both jumper and coach.  (Student faces the prop and coach is back to prop)  Open up into double handgrip whilst still in Head down.  Coach and student to release grip and fly in head down proximity with one another.  On signal from coach both jumpers to do half transition to feet.  Student to do a side-by-side left hand dock, release, student performs forward loop.  Coach to maintain heading and student to move around coach to do a right hand side dock.  Student to release and do a backloop whilst coach maintains heading.  Wave off and do back track and barrel roll to belly for opening.

Jump requirement 3
Back track with instructor / coach in close proximity.

The Objectives
Your Freeflying C-Licence minima should be attainable (after many solo practice jumps) by 200 – 250 Artistic Events free falls, and should therefore enable one to receive their C-Licence.  The first two jumps are to prove 3 dimensional versatility on ones head as well as on ones feet.  The 3rd jump requirement is to show the versatility of freeflying – there are no limits to what our bodies are able to do in the sky. As with the Cat III in FS, this would now allow the freeflyer to participate in any size formation, and thus confirm the skydiver as an approved freeflyer.

D-Licence Requirements
These jumps are to be completed with a qualified Coach or video evidence must be presented. The jumps must be completed IN PROXIMITY. (coach and student to be no more +- 5 m away from one another)

Video evidence filmed by any competent freeflyer, whether a coach or not, is sufficient. Third-eye footage is optional. Footage must be reviewed by a member of the current AE sub committee of the SSA or by a current AE coach and signed off by either the coach or member of AE subcommittee.

Jump requirement 1

  • Freefly exit on head. 
  • On signal from Coach, half transition onto feet. 
  • Half transition onto head. Hand dock.
  • Full transition back onto head.  Hand dock.
  • Alti check.
  • Wave off at correct altitude.

Jump requirement 2

  • Student exits on head.  Coach exists on his feet.
  • Both perform half transitions, so that the student is now on his feet.
  • Foot Dock. Alti check.
  • Student performs half transition onto head.  Alti check.
  • Student orbits Coach once.  Alti check.
  • Wave off at correct altitude.

Jump requirements 3 and 4

Student must have participated in at least 2 tracking dives, consisting of at least 4 people or more.  In one of these dives the student is to fly on his back.

6 COACHES

The coach rating is designed to give a formal qualification to those who teach Artistic Events jumpers up to Cat III level. All applicants for coach ratings must be recommended by a CI and endorsed by the Artistic Events sub committee of the SSA (see Form 19).

An applicant for an Artistic Events Coach Rating must:

  • Have a minimum of 500 jumps.
  • Hold a PASA D licence.
  • Have successfully completed a PASA-ADZO approved Jumpmaster, Static Line Instructor, or AFF Instructor Course.
  • Have successful completed the D licence discipline specific jumps signed off by a recognised AE coach evaluator or with video evidence submitted to the AE sub committee of the SSA.
  • Have completed discipline specific evaluation jumps:
  • Freefly: Four evaluation dives as prescribed by the current authorised discipline signatories. Two are skills jumps and two are coaching skills jumps concentrating on coaching and proximity abilities. These must be done with an authorised discipline signatory and footage of the jump to be submitted to the AE sub committee of the SSA to approve the rating application.

To remain current as an Artistic Events Coach the rating holder must:

  • Have performed at least 50 AE jumps in the previous 12 months or 25 AE coaching jumps.
  • Attendance of an AE sanctioned coaching seminar in the previous 12 months is highly recommended.

Please contact any member of the AE committee if you have questions in this regard (see the Sports page of the PASA website for details.)