USPA D LICENSE
ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027
Well Sorted Questions and Answers
Graded A+ | Best for That Good Grade
120 Comprehensive Questions
Aligned with USPA SIM & FAA 14 CFR Part 105
Covering All D-License Competencies:
Emergency Procedures • USPA Regulations • Advanced Canopy Control
Equipment & Rigging • Weather & Aerodynamics • Group Flying
United States Parachute Association
Advanced Skydiving Certification Examination
, USPA D License Exam 2026/2027
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXAMINATION OVERVIEW ................................................................................................. 3
Exam Structure....................................................................................................................... 3
SECTION 1: EMERGENCY PROCEDURES .......................................................................... 3
SECTION 2: USPA REGULATIONS AND POLICIES ........................................................ 17
SECTION 3: ADVANCED CANOPY CONTROL ................................................................ 28
SECTION 4: EQUIPMENT AND RIGGING ......................................................................... 39
SECTION 5: WEATHER AND AERODYNAMICS ............................................................. 47
SECTION 6: GROUP FLYING AND FORMATION SKYDIVING ..................................... 55
Page 2 of 60
, USPA D License Exam 2026/2027
EXAMINATION OVERVIEW
This comprehensive examination is designed to assess the advanced knowledge and decision-
making capabilities required for USPA D-License certification. The exam covers all critical
competencies including emergency procedures, USPA regulations, advanced canopy control,
equipment knowledge, weather and aerodynamics, and group flying operations. Each
question has been developed to reflect real-world scenarios and current USPA Skydiver's
Information Manual (SIM) standards.
The D-License represents the highest level of proficiency in sport skydiving and requires
demonstration of comprehensive knowledge across all skydiving disciplines. This exam
aligns with the 2026/2027 USPA SIM updates and incorporates current FAA 14 CFR Part
105 regulations governing parachute operations.
Exam Structure
Total Questions: 120
Section 1: Emergency Procedures (24 questions - 20%)
Section 2: USPA Regulations and Policies (24 questions - 20%)
Section 3: Advanced Canopy Control (24 questions - 20%)
Section 4: Equipment and Rigging (18 questions - 15%)
Section 5: Weather and Aerodynamics (18 questions - 15%)
Section 6: Group Flying and Formation Skydiving (12 questions - 10%)
SECTION 1: EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
Q1: A skydiver experiences a hard/fast malfunction at 3,500 feet with the main parachute
deploying but spinning rapidly and not responding to toggle input. The skydiver has
approximately 200 jumps and is working toward their D-license. Which of the following
actions should the skydiver take FIRST?
A. Continue attempting to correct the spin by applying opposite toggle
B. Cut away the main parachute immediately and deploy the reserve
C. Pull the rear risers to stall the canopy and stop the spin
D. Wait until 2,500 feet to decide if the situation improves
Page 3 of 60
, USPA D License Exam 2026/2027
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A hard/fast malfunction that creates a spinning, uncontrollable descent requires immediate
cutaway and reserve deployment. [CORRECT] Option B is correct because altitude is critical—3,500
feet provides sufficient time for reserve deployment but not for prolonged troubleshooting of a serious
malfunction. Option A is incorrect because continuing to fight an unrecoverable malfunction wastes
critical altitude. Option C is incorrect and dangerous; stalling a malfunctioning canopy can create an
even more unstable situation. Option D is incorrect because waiting reduces altitude and eliminates
the margin of safety for reserve deployment. According to USPA SIM Section 5-1, skydivers should
initiate emergency procedures by the decision altitude of 2,500 feet, but when facing a hard/fast
malfunction with rapid descent, immediate action is warranted even at higher altitudes.
Q2: During a night jump at 4,000 feet AGL, a D-license candidate experiences a total
malfunction where the pilot chute is in tow. The jumper has night jump experience but this is
their first malfunction at night. What is the correct sequence of actions according to USPA
BSRs?
A. Deploy the reserve immediately without cutting away
B. Pull the cutaway handle first, then deploy the reserve
C. Attempt to manually deploy the pilot chute
D. Wait until 3,000 feet to allow time for assessment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: [CORRECT] Option B is correct because a pilot chute in tow constitutes a total
malfunction requiring a cutaway before reserve deployment. Per USPA SIM Section 5-1, the proper
procedure for any total malfunction is to initiate the cutaway, then deploy the reserve. Option A is
incorrect because deploying the reserve without cutting away creates a significant risk of a two-out
situation with potential entanglement. Option C is incorrect because attempting manual deployment
wastes precious altitude and may result in line entanglement. Option D is incorrect because night
conditions reduce visual references, making altitude awareness more critical—waiting until 3,000 feet
may not provide sufficient altitude for complete emergency procedures. The USPA BSRs require that
all jumpers have a hard deck for emergency procedures, and at night, this should be raised to provide
additional margin.
Q3: A jumper with 450 jumps experiences severe line twists on deployment at 3,500 feet.
The canopy is fully inflated but the twists extend approximately halfway up the lines, and the
Page 4 of 60
ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027
Well Sorted Questions and Answers
Graded A+ | Best for That Good Grade
120 Comprehensive Questions
Aligned with USPA SIM & FAA 14 CFR Part 105
Covering All D-License Competencies:
Emergency Procedures • USPA Regulations • Advanced Canopy Control
Equipment & Rigging • Weather & Aerodynamics • Group Flying
United States Parachute Association
Advanced Skydiving Certification Examination
, USPA D License Exam 2026/2027
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXAMINATION OVERVIEW ................................................................................................. 3
Exam Structure....................................................................................................................... 3
SECTION 1: EMERGENCY PROCEDURES .......................................................................... 3
SECTION 2: USPA REGULATIONS AND POLICIES ........................................................ 17
SECTION 3: ADVANCED CANOPY CONTROL ................................................................ 28
SECTION 4: EQUIPMENT AND RIGGING ......................................................................... 39
SECTION 5: WEATHER AND AERODYNAMICS ............................................................. 47
SECTION 6: GROUP FLYING AND FORMATION SKYDIVING ..................................... 55
Page 2 of 60
, USPA D License Exam 2026/2027
EXAMINATION OVERVIEW
This comprehensive examination is designed to assess the advanced knowledge and decision-
making capabilities required for USPA D-License certification. The exam covers all critical
competencies including emergency procedures, USPA regulations, advanced canopy control,
equipment knowledge, weather and aerodynamics, and group flying operations. Each
question has been developed to reflect real-world scenarios and current USPA Skydiver's
Information Manual (SIM) standards.
The D-License represents the highest level of proficiency in sport skydiving and requires
demonstration of comprehensive knowledge across all skydiving disciplines. This exam
aligns with the 2026/2027 USPA SIM updates and incorporates current FAA 14 CFR Part
105 regulations governing parachute operations.
Exam Structure
Total Questions: 120
Section 1: Emergency Procedures (24 questions - 20%)
Section 2: USPA Regulations and Policies (24 questions - 20%)
Section 3: Advanced Canopy Control (24 questions - 20%)
Section 4: Equipment and Rigging (18 questions - 15%)
Section 5: Weather and Aerodynamics (18 questions - 15%)
Section 6: Group Flying and Formation Skydiving (12 questions - 10%)
SECTION 1: EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
Q1: A skydiver experiences a hard/fast malfunction at 3,500 feet with the main parachute
deploying but spinning rapidly and not responding to toggle input. The skydiver has
approximately 200 jumps and is working toward their D-license. Which of the following
actions should the skydiver take FIRST?
A. Continue attempting to correct the spin by applying opposite toggle
B. Cut away the main parachute immediately and deploy the reserve
C. Pull the rear risers to stall the canopy and stop the spin
D. Wait until 2,500 feet to decide if the situation improves
Page 3 of 60
, USPA D License Exam 2026/2027
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A hard/fast malfunction that creates a spinning, uncontrollable descent requires immediate
cutaway and reserve deployment. [CORRECT] Option B is correct because altitude is critical—3,500
feet provides sufficient time for reserve deployment but not for prolonged troubleshooting of a serious
malfunction. Option A is incorrect because continuing to fight an unrecoverable malfunction wastes
critical altitude. Option C is incorrect and dangerous; stalling a malfunctioning canopy can create an
even more unstable situation. Option D is incorrect because waiting reduces altitude and eliminates
the margin of safety for reserve deployment. According to USPA SIM Section 5-1, skydivers should
initiate emergency procedures by the decision altitude of 2,500 feet, but when facing a hard/fast
malfunction with rapid descent, immediate action is warranted even at higher altitudes.
Q2: During a night jump at 4,000 feet AGL, a D-license candidate experiences a total
malfunction where the pilot chute is in tow. The jumper has night jump experience but this is
their first malfunction at night. What is the correct sequence of actions according to USPA
BSRs?
A. Deploy the reserve immediately without cutting away
B. Pull the cutaway handle first, then deploy the reserve
C. Attempt to manually deploy the pilot chute
D. Wait until 3,000 feet to allow time for assessment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: [CORRECT] Option B is correct because a pilot chute in tow constitutes a total
malfunction requiring a cutaway before reserve deployment. Per USPA SIM Section 5-1, the proper
procedure for any total malfunction is to initiate the cutaway, then deploy the reserve. Option A is
incorrect because deploying the reserve without cutting away creates a significant risk of a two-out
situation with potential entanglement. Option C is incorrect because attempting manual deployment
wastes precious altitude and may result in line entanglement. Option D is incorrect because night
conditions reduce visual references, making altitude awareness more critical—waiting until 3,000 feet
may not provide sufficient altitude for complete emergency procedures. The USPA BSRs require that
all jumpers have a hard deck for emergency procedures, and at night, this should be raised to provide
additional margin.
Q3: A jumper with 450 jumps experiences severe line twists on deployment at 3,500 feet.
The canopy is fully inflated but the twists extend approximately halfway up the lines, and the
Page 4 of 60
