THE BPA CATEGORY SYSTEM
Trainee Skydivers are classified according to their experience level under the British Parachute Association Category System (also called the 'Progression System'), which lays down a minimum training program. The categories run from Category One (completed a basic training course) through Category Eight (Qualified Solo Skydiver). After Category 8, the BPA Grading system takes over see the BPA grading system.
The number of jumps required to achieve Category 8 varies depending on your ability and the available altitude. Once you have gained Category 8, you then qualify to become an Intermediate Parachutist by applying for your FAI 'A' certificate. We can then start teaching you all sorts of other interesting stuff!
The minimum training schedule to gain Category Eight through the progression system runs as follows:
CATEGORY 1: simply requires you to undertake a Basic Training Course.
CATEGORY 2:
1 or 2 automatically opened jumps as per your course. Exit altitude is such that student parachutes will be open by 3000 feet. On all early jumps (up to 5 second freefalls), you fall 'upright' - with your chest towards the air that is going past the aircraft.
CATEGORY 3:
3 or 4 consecutive Dummy Ripcord Pulls (DRPs). That is, learning how to pull a ripcord while still using automatically opened equipment. All such jumps are done from about the same exit altitude as your initial jump.
CATEGORY 4:
2 freefall descents of 3 to 5 seconds. The exit altitude will be about 1000 feet higher than your earlier Jumps. You may only be cleared for freefall after a minimum of 5 jumps using an automatically opened parachute, the last three of those being Dummy Ripcord Pulls. Your first freefall must take place by the end of the day following your last DRP (or another DRP must be undertaken) and you must join the BPA as a full member beforehand.
CATEGORY 5:
2 freefall descents of 10 seconds. These take place from the same altitude as 3 and 5 second freefall descents. After about 6-7 seconds of falling, you start to fall 'face-to-earth' - the air seems to be coming up from the ground by this time!
CATEGORY 6:
2 freefall descents of 15 seconds, reading an altimeter in freefall, with the 'relaxed' body position. Exit altitude is another 1000 feet up.
CATEGORY 7:
Freefall descents of at least 20 seconds demonstrating precise 360° turns in both directions. Exit Altitude is a minimum of 6000 feet.
CATEGORY 8:
Freefall descents, leaving the aircraft from a minimum of 7000 feet, demonstrating the following manoeuvres:
An Unstable Exit (and recovery of stability);
A Dive exit;
Back loops;
Tracking (fast forward movement) including controlled turning while tracking;
A final qualifying descent involving: A backloop; 360° left turn; 360° right turn; straight track and end-of-dive 'wave off', from a minimum exit altitude of 8000 feet.
NOTE:
This document focuses primarily on the RAPS system and as such certain aspects do not apply to those on an AFF training program.
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The Tandem Course 
