USPA A License Exam Questions and Answers, Latest Updated 2024/2025 (Graded A+)

Describe how to avoid the propeller(s) when approaching an aircraft. + - ANSWER Approach fixed-wing aircraft from the rear. Who is responsible for seat belt use in the aircraft? + - ANSWER pilot and jumper When must seat belts be fastened? + - ANSWER movement on the surface (taxi), takeoff, and landing From whom do you take direction in the event of an aircraft problem? + - ANSWER my instructor Why is it important to exit on "Go!"? - ANSWER 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 Where does the wind come from initially upon exit from the aircraft? - ANSWER ahead Why do skydivers first learn to fall stable face to earth (think in terms of the equipment)? + - ANSWER best position for deployment What does a canopy do immediately following a turn? - ANSWER dives What are the landing priorities? - ANSWER a. Land with the wing level and flying in a straight line. b. Land in a clear and open area, avoiding obstacles. c. Flare to at least the half-brake position. d. Perform a parachute landing fall What is the purpose of the landing flare? - ANSWER convert forward speed to lift Describe the procedure for a hard landing (PLF). - ANSWER Student should demonstrate: feet and knees together, hands and elbows in, roll on landing. Category B: Who must directly supervise your student training jumps? - ANSWER USPA Instructor rated for my discipline What is your most important task when in freefall? - ANSWER altitude awareness to recognize and act at the assigned pull altitude What are the maximum winds in which any student may jump? - ANSWER ten mph for a round reserve canopy; 14 mph for a ram-air reserve, waiverable by an S&TA How would you clear a pilot chute hesitation? + - ANSWER Change body position to modify USPA A License Test Questions and Answers Latest 2024/2025 Graded a+ 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? - ANSWER 2,500 feet How would you address the following routine opening problems? - ANSWER 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? - ANSWER 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? - ANSWER 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? - ANSWER 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? + - ANSWER 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? - ANSWER Cut away and deploy the reserve. What are the compass headings of the runway nearest the DZ at your airport? - ANSWER ... What compass directions do the runway heading numbers represent (northeast-southwest, north-south, etc)? - ANSWER ... How long is the runway at your airport? - ANSWER ... Describe the three legs of the canopy landing pattern with relation to the wind direction. - ANSWER 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? - ANSWER ... Why is it undesirable to land off the end of a runway? - ANSWER approaching and departing aircraft Category C: In flat and stable freefall at terminal velocity, how long does it take an average jumper to fall 1,000 feet? - ANSWER 5.5 seconds What is the correct procedure for recovering from instability to the belly to earth position? - ANSWER altitude, arch, legs, relax Which is better, to pull at the planned altitude or to fall lower to get stable before pulling? + - ANSWER Pull at the planned altitude, regardless of stability. What is the purpose of the wave-off before deployment? - ANSWER to signal other jumpers What is the purpose of the PLF and why is it important for skydivers? - ANSWER It protects against hard landings, and all skydivers have hard landings What part of the landing pattern is most dangerous to skydivers? - ANSWER the intersection of the base and final approach legs How do higher wind speeds affect the planned landing pattern as compared to the pattern plan for a calm day? - ANSWER shortens the final approach, shortens the base leg, lengthens the downwind leg, and places the planned pattern entry point farther upwind In moderately strong winds, how far downwind of an obstacle would you expect to find turbulence? - ANSWER 10-20 times the height of the obstacle What is the best procedure to use when flying your canopy in turbulent conditions? - ANSWER Keep the canopy flying in a straight line at full flight (or as directed by the owner's manual). What weather conditions and wind direction(s) are most likely to cause turbulence at your drop zone? - ANSWER 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? - ANSWER keeps them in place and prevents accidental or premature deployment Describe the equipment pre-flight strategy to use before putting on your gear. - ANSWER top to bottom, back to front How does the three-ring main canopy release system disconnect the main parachute from the harness? - ANSWER 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? - ANSWER 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? - ANSWER 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? - ANSWER east What is the wing loading of the parachute you will use on your next jump? - ANSWER 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+ - ANSWER B When is it OK to attempt a stand-up landing? - ANSWER 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? - ANSWER 15 seconds What is the most appropriate response to loss of heading control in freefall? - ANSWER altitude, arch, legs, relax What is the best way to avoid a canopy collision when turning? - ANSWER Look first in the direction of the turn. What is the quickest and safest way to change heading immediately after opening? + - ANSWER use the rear risers How would you prepare to land a canopy using the rear risers to flare? - ANSWER practice with rear-riser flares at altitude with that canopy during a routine jump Describe your procedure for landing on a building - ANSWER 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? - ANSWER to back up the jumper's emergency procedures Describe the "check of threes." - ANSWER 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 must he spotter do to determine what is directly underneath the aircraft while on a jump run? - ANSWER place head completely outside the aircraft and look straight down How far horizontally must jumpers be from any cloud? a. below 10,000 ft MSL? b. 10,000 ft MSL and above? +* - ANSWER a. below 10,000 feet MSL? 2,000 feet b. 10,000 feet MSL and above? one mile What are the minimum visibility requirements? a. below 10,000 ft MSL? b. 10,000 ft MSL and above? +* - ANSWER a. below 10,000 feet MSL? three miles b. 10,000 feet MSL and above? five miles Who is responsible for a jumper observing cloud clearance requirements? + - ANSWER jumper and pilot According to the BSRs, what is the latest a student may jump? - ANSWER All student jumps must be completed by sunset. Describe the technique for determining the point straight below the aircraft during jump run. - ANSWER Determine two lines from the horizon, one ahead and one abreast, and find the intersection of those two lines. What must the jumper look for below before exiting the aircraft? - ANSWER clouds and other aircraft Category E: What happens to a jumper's fall rate when performing rolls, loops, or other freeflying maneuvers? - ANSWER increases What happens to a visual altimeter when it's in the jumpers burble? - ANSWER reads unreliably What is the best way to recover from a stall to a full glide? - ANSWER Smoothly raise the controls. Describe an aerodynamic stall as it applies to a ram-air canopy. - ANSWER stable state of decreased glide and increased rate of descent When does a dynamic stall occur? - ANSWER 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? - ANSWER full stall