Coach Course - Material to read beforehand?

[Hazarrd 1]

I searched the forums and couldn't sift through the tons of threads on coach courses, most of them were more specific questions (currency, skydive U vs. USPA).

I plan on taking a coach course in May and I was wondering what some coaches or instructors out there reccommend I read/study before taking the course. If you could be specific that would be awesome. Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks.

.-.

[AggieDave 6]

Get an IRM, there's a card you need to have filled out before the course. Its not a bad idea to read and review the course inthe book as well. Not only that, but its a good idea to get real familure with the ISP in the SIM, especially the dives you're going to be doing to pass off on the coach course.

Good luck!

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[bmcd308 0]

Know the SIM. Don't just be familiar with it. KNOW it. Know cloud clerance requirements. Know how to give a "USPA" gear check. Know the cat G dive flows. Know the FJC material and how to organize and present it.

----------------------------------
www.jumpelvis.com

[seal_S49 0]

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get real familure with the ISP in the SIM, especially the dives you're going to be doing to pass off on the coach course.

Roger that part about the dive flows, but you may want to do a little more than read. You'll be required to pass a minimum of 2 eval jumps.

I'd suggest you make some practice jumps in which you perform as needed when your student loses altitude awareness. Common problems I observe with candidates: (1) failing to prepare for jump by briefing student for spot, weather, landing pattern, exit plan (2) failing to supervise student in aircraft for seatbelt, gear, etc. (3) failing to intervene during spotting or FF problems (4) failing to observe student canopy flight and landing (5) failure to meet student in landing area & provide post dive thereafter and (6) the greatest problem among my candidates has been the inability to give meaningful advice for common FF learning obstacles. It's not enough to say, "You did a front loop on exit." You must tell them why it happened and how to do it better. Studying will help, but practicing these skills is even better.

Don't be intimidated--take charge of your evaluator when s/he poses as a student. your performance doesn't have to be perfect, and you're allowed minor mistakes. Ask the evaluators what they expect if they don't clearly tell you.

As far as the written test, that should be open-book, but check and make sure. That means it helps if you know how to read the SIM & IRM to find answers.

Good luck & kick ass

[nightjumps 1]

1. Be prepared to teach one or several subjects from the First Jump Course.
2. Have purchased and in your possession your own SIMS and IRM.
3. Be prepared to teach, jump and evaluate a "student" on Categories G & H from the SIMS.
4. Some DZs (Mine); Be prepared to go through a student gear "GIG Row" We suit up five students, you have five minutes to do gear checks. Three Minors or one Major gig and you're out of the Course.

The following is a checklist I give Coach Candidates that is a narrative walk-through. They are allowed to carry it on the Coach Course. If you like it and use it, you need to use the same format for category H.

CATEGORY G COACH DIVE
INTRODUCTION

Coach introduces self - Reads student Logbook

COACH QUESTIONS

•Student Background
•Motivation
•Age
•Height/Weight
•Physical Condition
•Mental State
•Injuries
•Blood Donation
•SCUBA (last 24 hours)
•Tobacco Use
•Allergies
•Vision (Contacts or Glasses)
•Color Blindness
•Hearing loss
•Allergic to any medications
•Dental
•Any other physical limitations
•USPA Waiver
•Current Medications
•Alcohol
•Student Clothing (clothes, shoes, hooks, earrings, watches, empty pockets)
•Join USPA?

Coach Learns about last skydive

•Tell me about your last skydive.
•Did you get video (Do you have the tape)?
•Did you have any problems?
Exit Problems?
Malfunctions?
Line Twists?
Slider Up?
Radio problems?
Landing Problems?

Coach’s Overview

•Today’s training should take about 2-3 Hours
•1 to 1.5 hours for training – 1 hour to gear up and jump
•We’ll need a little time after the jump to debrief, train and discuss the next level.
•Are you familiar with the facilities here (Restroom, liquids, food)?

~SHORT BREAK~


CATEGORY G TLO’s OVERVIEW

Learning and Performance Objectives
•group exits
•floater position
•forward and backward movement
•adjusting fall rate
•start and stop
•docking
•maximum-performance canopy turns
•collision avoidance and response review
•tree landing review
•equipment maintenance inspection
•weather for skydivers

Show Category G Dive Flow Video (Do not teach yet, for overview)

Category G
REVIEW OF KNOWLEDGE

Coach
Get Student Rig to be used.
Check Data Card.
Show student JMPI on gear (Ask Questions).
Tell them what size and type main and reserve.
Is that what they used last time (Are they familiar with it).
Where is the Main Ripcord (What altitude do you pull it).
Where is your Cutaway Handle?
Where is your Reserve Ripcord?
Where is your AAD? (Would you rely on it?)
Where is your RSL? ( Would you rely on this?) What is its function?

Coach
Have the student put on the rig and check for proper fit.
Have the student go through the deployment sequence.
Take the rig off and put the training harness on.
Have the student walk to the mockup:
Pilot chute, Ripcord, Seatbelt, Helmet DZ Picture, and Goggles
How do we approach an aircraft?
How do we sit in the aircraft?
Intro to spotting (DZ Picture)

Coach
IN-FLIGHT EMERGENCIES

In the case of an emergency, who do listen to?
I tell you we are going to land with the aircraft, what do you do?
Seat Belt, Helmet, and hard-landing position.
Can you show me the hard-landing position?
THROWS PILOT-CHUTE ON THE A/C FLOOR
If this were yours, what would you do in this situation?
If this were ours, what would you do in this situation?
I tell you to bail out on your reserve, show me how you would do this.
I tell you to bail out on your main, show me how you would do this.
I tell you we are going to make a poised exit – Go thought the exit, do not do a normal dive flow (Stable and give pull signal)
We made it to jump altitude, but cannot make the jump (i.e., wind on ground too high) – What do we do? (Refasten Seat Belt, Helmet, Turn AAD off, Listen to JMs).
Practice exits from ALL a/c that may be used.
Freefall Emergencies

COACH

What do you do if you lose me?
Arch, CIA, (Confident, In Control, Altitude Aware)
YES – Maintain stability, deployment sequence at assigned altitude.
What do you do if you are tumbling out of control?
Do you know a maneuver to get off your back? (Roll out of bed) (DEMONSTRATE)
THE FIVE SECOND RULE
Do you know your pull priorities:
1. Pull.
2. Pull at a safe altitude.
3. Pull at a safe altitude with stability.
What do you do if you loose altitude awareness?
What do you do if you cannot read or find your altimeter?
What do you do if you think you are going through clouds (Avoid)?
Which Rules will this break (FAR 105)

RETURN TO THE SCHOOL TRAINING AREA

Coach

Have the student perform a normal wave-off signal and deployment prior to each:
• No Pilot Chute Out
• Floating Ripcord (# of times to try)
• No Handle (# of times to try)
• Hard Pull (# of times to try)
• Pilot Chute over arm.
• Horseshoe
• PULL SIGNAL
• What would you do if you see ME pull?

(CANOPY EMERGENCIES)

Have the student perform a normal wave-off signal and deployment sequence prior to each (HOLDS PICTURES OVER HEAD):
• Bag Lock
• Line Over
• Streamer
• Pilot Chute in Tow (Use Pilot Chute)
• Normal Canopy
What will you do if you have a hole in the canopy?
Please demonstrate a Controllability Check.
What do you do if your slider is up?
What will you do if your slider will not come more than halfway down?

(MINOR NUISANCES/PROBLEMS)

What will you do if you have:
• Line Twists
• Slider Up
• End Cell Closure
• Broken Lines
• What is your decision Altitude (2500’)?
• What altitude do you NOT cut away at (1000’)?
Two Canopies Out (Reserve in front, main in front, side by side, downplane)
What shape is your reserve? (How do you steer & land it)

Coach
What do you do if you lose a steering toggle on or after opening?
What if one of your toggles will not release?
Who has the right-of-way under canopy?
What do you do if you are heading for another person under canopy?
What if you cannot avoid them and you know you are going to hit them?
If you do entangle with another jumper, what do you do?

Canopy Control
What would you use to determine wind direction if you were landing off the DZ?
Which way is the wind coming from today?
Which direction would you land (USE DZ PICTURE/CANOPY FLIGHT PLANNER)
Remember to clear your ears and put Main Ripcord in Jumpsuit.
Where will your holding area be today?
Describe your landing pattern.

OBSTACLES – AVOID, AVOID, AVOID

Tell me where the major obstacles are on this DZ.
What would you do if you thought you were going to land on …
• Trees (If suspended, who may help?)
• Water
• Powerlines
• Building
• Runway
What about dust devils?
At what height do you flare?
What if you flare too high?
Show me your flare.
What do you do after landing?
What do you do if you are being dragged?
Using your helmet, please perform a PLF
Do you have ANY questions on canopy control, PLFs, or landing emergencies?


Category G
New Training

Demonstrate with Stand-in VERTICAL
Demonstrate with Stand-in HORIZONTAL
Emphasis on pull altitude
If you chose video for this dive; don’t be distracted

A. Exit and freefall
1. Group exits
a. Practice for an efficient climbout and launch.
(1) Each jumper in a group has an assigned exit position and should know that position before climbout.

(2) The exit position should include specific, exact foot and hand placement for the best launch position and presentation of hips and limbs into the relative wind.

(3) The jumpers count together with body movement, where possible, for a simultaneous or near-simultaneous launch.
b. Exit into a flying position with legs slightly extended--
(1) for improved exit stability

(2) to begin motion towards your partner immediately
c. Establish stability independently on exit before turning toward your partner.

d. exit grips:
(1) If taken, grips should allow all jumpers to leave in a natural flying position.

(2) Main lift web and chest strap grips are counterproductive for most belly-to-earth group exits.
2. Forward and backward movement (belly to earth)
a. Use legs only for forward movement and steering.
(1) Extending both legs tilts the jumper head-low and begins a slide in that direction.

(2) Extending one leg more than the other causes a turn in the opposite direction.
(i) Extending the right leg causes a left turn.

(ii) Extending the left leg causes a right turn.
b. Maintain both arms in the grip position during forward movement and docking.

c. Extend both arms and push down for backward movement.

d. Extending the arms slightly to take a grip will counter forward movement but cause backsliding if initiated too soon or for too long.
3. Adjusting fall rate (belly to earth)
a. Increase vertical freefall speed by streamlining.
(1) hips forward

(2) shoulders back

(3) relax abdominal muscles
b. Slow freefall speed by creating maximum turbulence.
(1) cupping the shoulders around the sternum

(2) rounding the spine (cupping the abdomen)

(3) extending arms or legs to counterbalance and maintain a level attitude
c. When recovering altitude from below the level of a formation:
(1) Turn sideways to keep the formation in view.

(2) To avoid a collision, remain clear of the area immediately below and above any group.
d. Recognize the visual cues for level approach (on exit, regardless of the horizon):
(1) backpack in sight-come down

(2) front of the leg straps in sight-come up
e. Maintain altitude awareness.
4. Docking
a. Dock using a level approach.

b. Once docked, arch across the shoulders to maintain the fall rate (elbows up) and stay level with your partner or the formation.

c. Extend both legs to counter any tension created in the formation when holding grips.

d. Maintain altitude awareness.
5. Break-off
a. Check altitude every four or five seconds and after each maneuver or stalled attempt.

b. Break off without prompting.

c. Plan the break-off altitude to allow enough time to track 50 feet.

d. The most positive way to signal break-off is to turn and track.
(1) As a safety back-up in Categories G and H--
(i) If the coach waves his or her arms, immediately turn and track to the planned deployment altitude.

(ii) If the coach deploys, deploy immediately without tracking.

(iii) Deploy at planned altitude whether or not you have turned or tracked.

(iv) Never rely on the USPA Coach for breakoff or deployment cues.
(2) You are always responsible to break off and open at the planned altitude on jumps with the USPA Coach and with others after you get your license.
e. When tracking, establish and maintain the correct heading radially from the formation.

f. For beginners, tracking moderately in a straight line in the right direction is more effective than going fast in a curve or in the wrong direction. Break off high enough to gain separation.
6. For additional requirements for break-offs from freeflying jumps, see SIM Section 6-2.

7. To avoid hard openings, slow to minimum freefall velocity before deploying.

B. Canopy
1. Performance turn entry and exit with balance
a. Enter a turn only as quickly as the canopy can maintain balance (center of lift over the center of load) during the turn.
b. Surging, lurching, or line twist indicate a turn entered too quickly.
c. A canopy is more susceptible to collapse from turbulence during entry and exit from a turn.
d. The canopy dives sharply after a maximum-performance turn.
2. Reverse turns
a. You must know the maximum safe rate of turn entry for each canopy you jump.

b. Practicing reverse turns helps you determine the maximum safe toggle turn rate before inducing a line twist.

c. Make a smooth but deep turn at least 90-degrees to the right, then reverse toggle positions smoothly but quickly for a 180-degree turn to the left (four sets recommended to complete Category G).

d. A line twist at pattern altitudes may be unrecoverable in time for a safe landing, particularly with a higher wing loading.

e. In case you induce a line twist, you should complete all maximum-performance turns above the 2,500-foot decide-and-act altitude for a cutaway.
3. The potential for collision with other jumpers increases when making performance maneuvers in traffic or near the ground (review).
a. Other jumpers may be focused more on the target than on traffic.

b. The lower jumper has the right of way.

c. It takes only one jumper to avoid a collision.

d. Jumping a faster canopy requires more attention to traffic.
4. Accumulate two unassisted landings within 20 meters of a planned target (five total required for A license).

MULTIPLE FREEFALL & CANOPY DIVE FLOWS WITH STUDENT UNTIL PROFICIENT IF corrective action is necessary during dirt dive...Student must perform dive/canopy flow perfectly + one.

ANY QUESTIONS?
We are ready to skydive
Take a break before gearing up…. Manifest


Category G
GCTA CHECKLIST

• Have student identify wind direction and landing pattern.
• JMPI Student
• Coach Gets JMPI
• JMPI Videographer
• Perform Dirt Dive at A/C
• Ask pilot for pass DZ Pass at 3000-4000’ for student to spot.
• Helmet and seatbelt on prior to plane movement.
• 1500 ft. Remove helmet and seatbelt.
• 3000-4000’ Student DZ spot/landing direction.
• Remind student of significant altitudes.
• Ask the student to repeat the dive flow for the skydive.
• Coach gives student quiet time.
• 10,000’ WAKE UP TIME
• JMPI Student
• Coach Gets JMPI
• JMPI Videographer

SKYDIVE


Category G
DEBRIEF

• Give student 15 minutes to collect thoughts-relax.
• Walk & talk – Compare notes.
• Go to A/C Mockup for debrief.
• Student’s view of dive and canopy ride first.
• Viewpoint & perceptions guides student through the dive.
• (UPBEAT & POSITIVE - Emphasize the good, Minimize the negative.)
• Review the video.
• Advancement/NonAdvancement Decisions
• Corrective Training
• Introduction of the TLO’s for the next dive.
• Introduce the Dive Flow for the next dive.


Review Next Dive:
Category H: Learning and Performance Objectives

• diver exit
• swooping
• breakoff
• front riser control
• water landing review
• owner maintenance of gear
• aircraft radio requirements
• FAA notification requirements for jumping
• FAA approvals for jump planes

Give Student Category G Oral Quiz.
Fill-out student logbook and DZ Records.
Assign Category H Reading in the SIMS Manual prior to next jump.

[riggerrob 643]

Wow!
Awesome checklist!
May I use it on my next coach dive?

Rob Warner
CSPA Coach 2

[nightjumps 1]

Hey Rob,

Anyone may use it for Coach Course Certification or Coach Dives.

Feel free to pass it around, modify it for Category H, Etc.

Keith

[Hazarrd 1]

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We made it to jump altitude, but cannot make the jump (i.e., wind on ground too high) – What do we do? (Refasten Seat Belt, Helmet, Turn AAD off, Listen to JMs).

Hmm....is that really true? I've been in a plane that came down and didn't see anyone do that.

Awesome list though, thanks a lot!!!

.-.

[sunshine 2]

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As far as the written test, that should be open-book, but check and make sure. That means it helps if you know how to read the SIM & IRM to find answers.

I got my coach rating last year. I took the test before the coach course. It is indeed open book and taking it before the course is quite helpful. Then you kinda already have some of the information fresh in your mind.

___________________________________________
meow

I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug!

[Hazarrd 1]

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As far as the written test, that should be open-book, but check and make sure. That means it helps if you know how to read the SIM & IRM to find answers.

I got my coach rating last year. I took the test before the coach course. It is indeed open book and taking it before the course is quite helpful. Then you kinda already have some of the information fresh in your mind.

How do I go about takeing the test? Will any USPA DZ have the proper materials for me to do so? Thanks!

.-.

[sunshine 2]

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How do I go about takeing the test? Will any USPA DZ have the proper materials for me to do so? Thanks!

The test is in the IRM.

___________________________________________
meow

I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug!

[nightjumps 1]

THe test is in the IRM (which you bring) the Coach Course Director will proctor the exam.

[AggieDave 6]

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mm....is that really true? I've been in a plane that came down and didn't see anyone do that.

If its an expert cypres in the student container its really not a big deal, if it is a student cypres, it IS a big deal. Eitherway, make sure the pilot knows so he/she doesn't bomb it out of the sky.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[nightjumps 1]

Student Cypres - Yes.
FXC - Definately Yes.

Test Question -

Your student is wearing an FXC AAD. You decide to come down and about halfway back down, the decision is made to go back up (i.e., clouds cleared off) You head back up to altitude... Can you turn the FXC back on?

[AggieDave 6]

Friends don't let friends jump FXCs.

Ok, honestly, I don't know. My guess is no, you start down and turn it off, you're going all the way down and starting over. However, it is very likely I am wrong, since I don't know.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[riggerrob 643]

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Student Cypres - Yes.
FXC - Definately Yes.

Test Question -

Your student is wearing an FXC AAD. You decide to come down and about halfway back down, the decision is made to go back up (i.e., clouds cleared off) You head back up to altitude... Can you turn the FXC back on?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Yea you can turn an FXC 12000 back on.
However, don't try that with any of the electronic AADs (Cypres, FXC Astra, Vigil) you will only confuse them.

May I add another trick question?
This came up last week at a riggers' course.

How high do you have to climb before an FXC 12000 will "arm?"

[indyz 1]

I'm going with yes, you can turn it back on. If we are thinking of the same AAD, FXCs are purely mechanical and are manually calibrated on the ground. I could tell you for sure if I saw the AAD (is this the one with the knob, the guage, and the thingy that you adjust with a quarter?).

[nightjumps 1]

Turning an FXC 12000 on or off ("OFF - JUMP") in the airplane does not affect its opening altitude.

Adjusting the altitude knob - does.

[AggieDave 6]

That isn't the FXC I was thinking of. I was thinking of the OLD boxes that popped up a little dial/wheel with the two lights to calibrate to 0, the same AAD I used on all of my student jumps. The same one that I'd basically want to jump without an AAD then jump with that again.

I didn't realize you could readjust them to your altitude, but it makes sense.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[nightjumps 1]

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How high do you have to climb before an FXC 12000 will "arm?"

I "believe" its 1500 feet above the set altitude?

[riggerrob 643]

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How high do you have to climb before an FXC 12000 will "arm?"

I "believe" its 1500 feet above the set altitude?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I warned you this was trick question.

Any time you are below the pre-set altitude (1,000 feet is the most popular) and going fast (er than 65 feet per second), an FXC 12000 will fire.

1500 feet relates to the arming altitude of an Expert Cypres.

[nightjumps 1]

You are correct.

"Operations" Bullet Item 6 of the manual states:

The Model 12000 WILL OPERATE IF the parachutist is at, or below, the altitude setting and his rate-of-fall increases from less than 40 to more than 65 feet per second.

Thanks,

[Hazarrd 1]

any other trick questions?

.-.

[markbaur 0]

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... the OLD boxes that popped up a little dial/wheel with the two lights to calibrate ...

You're describing the Sentinel (Mk 2000) made by SSE. Firing altitude of 1000' and disarmed by physically unplugging the battery/processor box from the firing charge. There are still a few in use in the US. SSE is no longer in the civilian market, and its civilian altimeter line has been taken over by Alti-2 -- and they don't do Sentinels.

Mark

[nightjumps 1]

Not really "trick" questions at the course. You will need to be proficient at most things I provided in the outline as well as your flying skills.

Read the SIMS for G&H.
Read the IRM for Coaches
Be able to fly and Instruct on those levels.
Be able to proficiently teach any portion of the FJC (Cause those are usually assigned... not chosen by the candidate.
Get with a rigger beforehand and learn all the gigs on student gear (Be able to perform an excellent gear check on any type of student system (including SOS))

And by all means, check your "student's" altimeter to ensure it is on right side up and on zero (you wouldn't believe how many folks miss that).

Don't bust the hard deck - automatic Unsat. Read the evaluation form in the IRM for all automatic unsats.