1.3 Static Line Round progression to Cat 8
Description
This article is from the Skydiving FAQ, by Barry Brumitt with numerous contributions by others.
1.3 Static Line Round progression to Cat 8
Still in common use in the UK is the static line round
parachute course. This is largely used on "charity
farms" where the majority of first time jumpers are doing
charity associated jumping and are unlikely to stay in
the sport.
This is the traditional first introduction to parachuting
and uses a round parachute which is automatically opened
when the student leaves the plane - just like in the war
movies. The round can be steered and has a forward speed
of five to eight m.p.h., and is an extremely safe and
reliable piece of kit. The student will also have a belly
mounted reserve parachute.
The progression system requires the student to
demonstrate over a series of jumps, stability and ability
to pull a dummy ripcord handle before progressing to
freefall. A further series of jumps incorporating
increasing freefall delays and showing control by
performing turns, back loops and tracks leads to the
Category 8 qualification dive of a half series. That is,
a dive exit, back loop, alternate 360 degree turns, a
short track and wave off, usually from 8000ft.
The student may convert to a RAPS canopy at any time
during the progression subject to approval of the Club
Chief Instructor (CCI). No progression may take place for
at least the first two jumps. The conversion may be left
until after Cat 8.
After Cat 8 (and conversion to RAPS kit if necessary) the
parachutist may then convert to a throw away pilot chute.
This must be on kit fitted with an Automatic Activation
Device (AAD).
The absolute minimum number of jumps is 17 or 18
depending on how the manual is interpreted, but expect a
good progression to take less than 30 jumps, plus
conversion jumps (two lots).
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