Student Progression

 

"I've completed my course jumps, what's next?"

 

 

 

We pride ourselves on supporting our student parachutists to become fully fledged, confident and safe skydivers. After completing your first static line solo jump you'll have made the first step towards becoming a qualified skydiver. From here on our instructors will work with you to coach you through the British Parachute Association's Ram Air Progression Systems (RAPS) category system.

The BPA RAPS categories run from Category One (finish the basic static line solo 1st jump course) through to Category Eight (Qualified Solo Skydiver). Our instructors will teach you the necessary skills to progress, monitor your progress and pass you onto the next level upon satisfactory completion. All Category 1-8 students are dispatched and critiqued by British Parachute Association approved instructors.

Started your jumping at another Parachute centre?  - No problem, we regularly welcome students from other centres who appreciate the attention and support we offer. Simply contact us or just visit the drop zone and talk to one of our instructors. Come and learn in a friendly and supportive atmosphere where we assure you that you'll be made welcome.

At the Black Knights Parachute Centre we make no additional charge for RAPS Student Progression training instruction, you simply pay for a student jump ticket. If you've got the desire to progress in the sport, we've got the time to help you...

            

 

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British Parachute Association Category System
 
 
Category 1
Has received a minimum of 6 hours ground training and has been cleared to make a 1st static line jump.

Category 2 
Has demonstrated the ability to fall in a stable position counting throughout.

Category 3 
Has demonstrated the ability to perform 3 consecutive stable Dummy Ripcord pulls, counting a maintaining a positive arch throughout.

Category 4 
Has demonstrated the ability to perform 2 consecutive stable delayed openings , counting throughout, of between 3 and 5 seconds.

Category 5 
Has demonstrated the ability to perform 2 consecutive stable delayed openings of 10 seconds, maintaining a heading and counting throughout.

Category 6 
Has demonstrated the ability to perform the following:-
		2 consecutive delayed openings of 15 seconds.
		Use an altimeter in free fall.
Category 7 
Has demonstrated the ability to perform controlled 360˚ turns in both direction.

Category 8 
Has demonstrated the ability to perform the following
		An unstable exit
		A dive exit
		Back loops
		Tracks (horizontal movement in freefall), including a track turn as an avoidance manoeuvre.
		A back loop, 360˚ left turn, 360˚ right turn, a short track and wave off, from a minimum altitude of 8000ft agl
 

Once you have gained Category Eight you leave student status and become BPA "intermediate" parachutist and become qualified to solo skydive. From this point you no longer require instructor led teaching and we work with you to further develop your freefall skills towards a number of further qualifications to allow you to jump with others. That's where the fun really starts...