Download USPA A LICENSE WRITTEN TEST EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS UPDATED (2025/2026) and more Exams Physical Activity and Sport Sciences in PDF only on Docsity!
USPA A LICENSE WRITTEN TEST EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS UPDATED
(202 5 /202 6 ) (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
What are the maximum winds in which any student may jump? - ANS ✓ten mph for a round reserve canopy; 14 mph for a ram-air reserve, waiver able by an S&TA How would you clear a pilot chute hesitation? + - ANS ✓Change body position to modify the air flow over my back In the event of a canopy problem, students should decide and act about executing emergency procedures by what altitude? - ANS ✓2,500 feet How would you address the following routine opening problems? - ANS ✓a. Before releasing the brakes, spread risers or twist risers to transfer line twist to risers, kick in opposite direction, watch altitude to 2,500 feet. b. Pump rear risers or steering controls at the bottom of the stroke while watching altitude to 2,500 feet. c. Pull toggles to flare position and hold (or pull down rear ris- ers and hold) and watch altitude. If stubborn, determine controllability with turn and flare by 2,500 feet. d. Determine controllability and ability to flare by 2,500 feet. e. Be sure both brakes are released. What is the appropriate action if below 1,000 ft without a landable parachute? - ANS ✓Immediately deploy the reserve parachute, but not below 1,000 feet with an SOS system.
If the pilot chute goes over the front of the canopy after it has opened, how can you tell if it's a malfunction? - ANS ✓If the canopy flares and turns correctly, it is probably safe to land. What is the correct response to an open container in freefall using a hand- deployed system? - ANS ✓no more than two tries or two seconds to locate and deploy the main pilot chute; if no success, cut away and deploy the reserve If part of the deployed parachute is caught on the jumper or the equipment (horseshoe), what is the correct response? + - ANS ✓Cut away and deploy the reserve. If the pilot chute extracts the deployment bag from the parachute container (backpack) but the deployment bag fails to release the parachute canopy for inflation, what is the correct response? - ANS ✓Cut away and deploy the reserve. What are the compass headings of the runway nearest the DZ at your airport? - ANS ✓... What compass directions do the runway heading numbers represent (northeast-southwest, north-south, etc)? - ANS ✓... How long is the runway at your airport? - ANS ✓... Describe the three legs of the canopy landing pattern with relation to the wind direction. - ANS ✓downwind (with the wind), base (across the wind but downwind of the target), and final (into the wind) At what altitude over the ground do aircraft enter the traffic pattern at your airport? - ANS ✓...
What weather conditions and wind direction(s) are most likely to cause turbulence at your drop zone? - ANS ✓according to the local landing area and obstacles Why is it important to protect your parachute system operation handles when in and around the aircraft? - ANS ✓keeps them in place and prevents accidental or premature deployment Describe the equipment pre-flight strategy to use before putting on your gear. - ANS ✓top to bottom, back to front How does the three-ring main canopy release system disconnect the main parachute from the harness? - ANS ✓Pull the cables to release the cloth loop. How do you know if a reserve parachute has been packed by an FAA rigger within the last 180 days? - ANS ✓information found on the reserve packing data card How do you know the reserve container has not been opened since the FAA rigger last closed it? - ANS ✓rigger's packing seal on the reserve ripcord If the surface winds are blowing from west to east, which direction will you face to fly the downwind leg of the landing pattern? - ANS ✓east What is the wing loading of the parachute you will use on your next jump? - ANS ✓Divide the exit weight by the square footage. Which canopy size (same model design) will exhibit quicker control response? a. 210 sq. ft. with a 210 pound jumper b. 170 sq. ft. with a 170 pound jumper+ - ANS ✓B
When is it OK to attempt a stand-up landing? - ANS ✓when the jumper has control of all the variables and has executed a good flare at the appropriate altitude Category D: For planned deployment initiation at 3,000 ft, approximately how long should an average-sized jumper fall after exiting at 5,000 ft? - ANS ✓15 seconds What is the most appropriate response to loss of heading control in freefall? - ANS ✓altitude, arch, legs, relax What is the best way to avoid a canopy collision when turning? - ANS ✓Look first in the direction of the turn. What is the quickest and safest way to change heading immediately after opening? + - ANS ✓use the rear risers How would you prepare to land a canopy using the rear risers to flare? - ANS ✓practice with rear-riser flares at altitude with that canopy during a routine jump Describe your procedure for landing on a building - ANS ✓Disconnect the RSL (if time), contact the building feet first, PLF, cut away after landing on top of a building, wait for competent help. What is the purpose of the automatic activation device? - ANS ✓to back up the jumper's emergency procedures Describe the "check of threes." - ANS ✓Check three-ring release system for correct assembly and RSL; three points of harness attachment for snap assembly or correct routing and adjustment; three operation handles—main activation, cutaway, reserve.
What happens to a visual altimeter when it's in the jumpers burble? - ANS ✓reads unreliably What is the best way to recover from a stall to a full glide? - ANS ✓Smoothly raise the controls. Describe an aerodynamic stall as it applies to a ram-air canopy. - ANS ✓stable state of decreased glide and increased rate of descent When does a dynamic stall occur? - ANS ✓at the end of a flare when the jumper begins to rock back under the canopy What happens after a dynamic stall if the tail is held lower than the nose? - ANS ✓full stall What is the best way to determine a canopy's optimum flare speed and depths for landing? - ANS ✓Practice different rates of flare entry at different depths of flare Describe your procedures for landing in high winds. - ANS ✓Stay well downwind of any obstacle, face into the wind early, disconnect the RSL, land with a PLF, pull one toggle down completely, and after landing, cut away if necessary. How many A-lines does a nine-cell canopy have? - ANS ✓ten To what part of the canopy do the steering lines (brake lines) connect? - ANS ✓tail or trailing edge What lines go through the rear slider grommets? - ANS ✓C, D, and brakes
Where does the main pilot chute bridle attach to the canopy? - ANS ✓top centre Who may pack a main parachute? + - ANS ✓FAA rigger, person jumping the parachute, person under rigger's supervision How often do he main and reserve parachute need to be packed? + - ANS ✓every 180 days Who is in command of the aircraft? - ANS ✓pilot Name two purposes for wearing seat belts in an aircraft. - ANS ✓to maintain the correct balance; protection in a crash Describe how to avoid the propeller(s) when approaching an aircraft. + - ANS ✓Approach fixed-wing aircraft from the rear. Who is responsible for seat belt use in the aircraft? + - ANS ✓pilot and jumper When must seat belts be fastened? + - ANS ✓movement on the surface (taxi), take-off, and landing From whom do you take direction in the event of an aircraft problem? + - ANS ✓my instructor Why is it important to exit on "Go!"? - ANS ✓AFF and tandem students: helps student and instructors to leave at the same time all students: to leave at the right place over the ground
In an aircraft with the exit door near the back, what must jumpers do to maintain the balance during exit procedures? + - ANS ✓remain forward until it is time for their group to exit What is the biggest danger to a jumper when flying the canopy pattern? - ANS ✓other canopies What is the best way to avoid canopy collision? - ANS ✓see and remain clear of other jumpers. How does the RSL work? - ANS ✓forms a separable link between the main riser and reserve ripcord so that cutting away the main activates the reserve, if the RSL is hooked up What would happen if the main riser attached to the RSL breaks? - ANS ✓The reserve deploys with the main still attached by the other riser. What is the best way to prevent risers from breaking? - ANS ✓inspection and maintenance; correct packing, tight line stowage, and stable deployment, all to prevent hard openings Name one way to prevent dual deployment. - ANS ✓Any of the following: a. Deploy the main parachute at the correct altitude to avoid AAD activation. b. Initiate malfunction procedures high enough to cut away safely and avoid AAD activation c. Maintain and correctly operate hand-deployed pilot chutes, especially collapsible. d. Protect equipment before exit to prevent pins or handles from being knocked loose. e. Manoeuvre gently below the AAD's firing range
What is generally the best action to take in the following two-canopy-out scenarios? a. Biplane b. Side by side c. Down plane - ANS ✓a. Biplane Release the brakes on the front canopy only and steer that canopy gently; PLF. b. Side by side Release the brakes on the dominant canopy only and steer that canopy gently; or release the RSL (if time) and cut away; PLF. c. Down plane Release the RSL (if time) and cut away. Category F: What is the best way to change the direction of the canopy flight while conserving the most altitude? - ANS ✓braked turns What happens if a canopy is controlled too deeply in the brakes? - ANS ✓stalls Describe the difference between flaring from half brakes and full glide. - ANS ✓Flaring from half brakes requires a quicker stroke, the stroke is shorter, and stalls occur sooner. How does the half-braked position affect the canopy's flight? - ANS ✓slows descent, changes glide What is a glide path? - ANS ✓The angle at which the parachute descends towards its projected landing point. How do you determine your glide path? - ANS ✓Look ahead to find the point on the ground that appears not to rise or sink. How does wind affect the glide path? - ANS ✓The glide path will become steeper as the wind decreases when flying with the wind. The glide path will become steeper as the wind speed increases when flying into the wind.
a. How far will the jumper drift? Note 60mph = 1 mile per minute b. In which direction? - ANS ✓a. 1/2 mile b. east Describe your procedure for landing in power lines. - ANS ✓Avoid the area early during the descent, minimum braked turn necessary to avoid lines, land parallel to the wires, braked landing, prepare for PLF, try to touch only one line at a time, wait for help and confirmation that the power has been turned off and will remain off until recovery operations are complete. In the event of an aircraft emergency with no students or instructors aboard, who should you coordinate procedures between the pilot and the other jumpers on the load? - ANS ✓jumpmaster, or spotter At your drop zone, what is the lowest altitude the pilot would likely ask jumpers to leave the plane during a routine engine-out emergency? - ANS ✓... In an aircraft emergency, what is the lowest exit altitude that you would deploy your main parachute before choosing the reserve instead? - ANS ✓... How many jumps are requires for the USPA A license? - ANS ✓ 25 What does a USPA A license permit a skydiver to do? - ANS ✓jump without supervision, pack his or her own main parachute, engage in basic group jumps, and perform water jumps What should an A-license jumper do to regain currency after a ten-week period of inactivity? - ANS ✓make at least one jump under the supervision of a USPA instructional rating holder What should an A-licensed jumper do to regain currency after a four-month period of inactivity? - ANS ✓make at least one jump beginning in Category D
with a USPA AFF Instructor or in Category B with a USPA IAD Static-Line, or Tandem Instructor before proceeding to unsupervised freefall Category G: What is the primary directional control when moving forward to dock in freefall? - ANS ✓legs What is the minimum break-off altitude for freefall in groups of five or fewer? * - ANS ✓1,500 feet above planned deployment altitude What is the danger of entering a toggle turn too quickly? * - ANS ✓line twist What does a canopy do after completing a maximum input toggle turn? - ANS ✓dives What are the three biggest dangers of a hard toggle turn near the ground? - ANS ✓line twist, collision with jumpers, collision with the ground Category D: For planned deployment initiation at 3,000 ft, approximately how long should an average-sized jumper fall after exiting at 5,000 ft? - ANS ✓... What is the most critical aspect of closing the main container equipped with a hand-deployed pilot chute? - ANS ✓bridle routing and placement Why is it a bad idea to drag the harness and container system when stowing the lines? - ANS ✓unnecessary wear on the three-ring release webbing and loops When velcro is used on the brake system, why is it a good idea to place your toggles back on the velcro after you land? - ANS ✓covers the hook velcro, which can damage other components, prevents tangles
What is the correct response to a canopy entanglement with another jumper below 1,000 ft if it appears the two canopies cannot be separated in time for a safe landing? * - ANS ✓Deploy the reserve (may not be a safe option with an SOS system). Describe your procedure for landing in trees. - ANS ✓Face into the wind, prepare for PLF, flare to half brakes, protect face and under arms, wait for help. What does a tall cumulus cloud indicate? - ANS ✓thunderstorms in the area What is the most dangerous part of an incoming front for aircraft and skydivers? - ANS ✓thunderstorms in the gust front; rapid and significant changes in winds How does a canopy's air speed, ground speed, and descent rate change with an increase in density altitude? - ANS ✓each will increase Category H: Why is it important to look ahead during a swoop toward other jumpers in freefall? * - ANS ✓to see others and avoid a collision What is the fastest way to slow down from a freefall swoop approach? * - ANS ✓slow fall position with arms forward and knees down What is the danger of a loose or worn main container closing loop? - ANS ✓premature deployment Why must three-ring release cables be cleaned periodically? * - ANS ✓Sludge-like dirt and oil deposits cause them to bind.
If you see that you have begun to turn too low to the ground for a safe landing, what should be your first response? * - ANS ✓Neutralize the turn and get the canopy overhead. What effect does pulling on the front risers have on the canopy? * - ANS ✓dramatic increase in rate of descent When performing front riser maneuvers, what should you do with the toggles? * - ANS ✓Keep them in your hands. What are the two biggest dangers of front-riser maneuvers near the ground? - ANS ✓collisions with other jumpers, collision with the ground What are some of the possible results of a turn made too low to the ground?
- ANS ✓serious injury or death Describe your procedure for landing in water. - ANS ✓Inflate flotation device, disconnect chest strap and RSL, prepare for PLF, face into wind, flare, hold breath, cut away once feet are wet, remove leg straps, swim upwind; if under the canopy, dive deep and swim away or follow one seam until out from underneath. What is the maximum percentage of visible wear allowable on a main closing loop? * - ANS ✓10% Can a jump be legally made from an aircraft without an operating radio? - ANS ✓no What is the least notification the FAA requires before any jump or series of jumps may be made? - ANS ✓one hour Where can a pilot look to determine if a plane is approved for flight with the door removed? - ANS ✓AC 105.2, Appendix 2, or aircraft owner's manual
