SIGMA and Vector Tandem Instructor     

The United Parachute Technologies Tandem Instructor Prerequisites:

    - 18 years years of age
    - At least 500 Ram-Air Jumps
    - Hold aUSPA D-License or Foreign Equivalent
    - Hold a Current FAA Class III Medical Certificate or Foreign
       Equivalent
    - At least 3 Years in the Sport
    - Currently Possess a USPA Coach or Instructional Rating

THE TANDEM INSTRUCTOR RATING COURSE:

    The manufactures Tandem Instructor Rating Course (TIRC) will take approximately 2-3 days (weather permitting). 
     Note: add one additional day for the USPA instructor rating
     (see below USPA ratings) total 3-4 days

   The course consists of one day of classroom, 10-evaluation jumps and a written exam. The class starts with the verification of the requirements.
   The Vector an SIGMA Manuals will be the course books. I strongly recommend you purchase or download this manuald (print it) from www.upt.com. The questions for the written test are in the manuals and there is a study guide online. It is an open book test and needs to be done prior to the course. 

You need to bring copies of:

     - USPA membership card with your D-License and your Coach
        or instructor ratings card  
     - Copy of current FAA Class III medical certificate or military
        equivalent
     - Copy of logbook pages with 500 jumps (unless USPA card
        shows a gold wing award)
     - Copy of logbook showing 3 years in the sport and 4 hours of
        freefall

   After the first 5-evaluation jumps you can make the other 5 tandem jumps with an experienced skydiver who has at least 100 jumps.  It is highly recommended that you make the additional 5  jumps (for a total of 10) during the course with the examiner or designated person for continuous education and to complete the requirements for the USPA Tandem Rating.

SIGMA ENDORSEMENT:

    To get the SIGMA endorsement you need to take an additonal test which can be found on their website.

CROSS OVER TRAINING:

    If you already possess a current Tandem Instructor rating rom another manufacturer you can get crossed over to Vector/SIGMA rating.  To qualiy or cross-training you must:

    - Possess a current Tandem rating rom another manuacturer
    - 25 logged Tandem Jumps
    - USPA Card with D-License and Instructional endorsement
       card
    - FAA Medical Certiicate or military equivalent

    The course consists of a day of classroom and a minimum of 2 examination jumps. I recommend that you get the Vector and SIGMA manuals from the UPT website for the course. Cross-over Tandem Instructors must also complete the two tests (Vector and SIGMA).

THE USPA TANDEM INSTRUCTOR RATING:
 
      After completion of the initial UPT Tandem Instructor Course you may participate in the USPA instructor Rating Course.  The pre-requisites are:

       - USPA Membership
       - Hold a USPA Coach rating  
       - Meet the manufacturers requirements and completed the
          TIRC
       - You will need and IRM and the Tandem Instructor
          proficiency card. You will need to take the test in the IRM
          for Tandem instructor prior to the course
       - The proficiency card needs to be signed off at items 1-8 if
          you are a coach and at item 1-2 if you are already a USPA
          Instructor in another discipline (AFF, SL, IAD etc...)

       The USPA Tandem Instructor Course in conjuction with the manufacturers course will have added an additional 1-2 days to the original TIRC (3-4 Days total weather permitting)

       Note: If you take the manufactures course with me I include the USPA Tandem course at and additional cost of $50.00.