Beginner Wingsuit Progression

Upon completion of Lightning Flight First Flight Training, you will receive a Sigma merit (Sigma is the platform now used by USPA to securely and digitally award licenses and ratings) indicating that you have demonstrated the ability to safely train towards all of the objectives below under your own supervision. Rather than forcing a rigid jump-by-jump program, our instructors focus on achieving specific critical skills while tailoring the plan for each skydive to our individual students' needs and progress. This is an overview of what is taught by all Lightning Flight instructors in First Flight Training. A minimum of 4 coached jumps is required to qualify for the merit.

A. FIRST FLIGHT

Classroom Topics covered include:

1. What makes wingsuiting different
2. Gear specific to wingsuiting
3. How a wingsuit works
4. Communication with pilot and manifest
5. Navigation and airspace
6. Safe exits
7. Wingsuit deployments
8. Post-deployment procedures
9. Emergency procedures
10. The aerodynamics of wingsuit flight

Objectives:

1. Clear the aircraft safely on exit

2. Navigate according to the planned pattern

3. Deploy safely

4. Land on the dropzone

B. EFFICIENT NEUTRAL FLIGHT

Objectives:

1. Implement feedback for improved wing configuration and body position during exit, flight, and deployment

2. Achieve a consistent and efficient neutral position, flying stable (not too high or low AoA, not dihedral)

3. Implement feedback on turns and navigation

C. EXITS

Objectives:

1. Demonstrate proficiency at spotting

2. Show ability to gauge airspeed and configuration of airplane on jump run

3. Complete at least two different types of exits

4. Front and rear float

5. Poised inside the door

6. Moving to the door

D. Relative Work: UP AND DOWN

Objectives:

1. Relative to a coach setting a stable base, demonstrate ability to move relatively up and down with minimal separation in other directions

2. Demonstrate correct use of grippers and arm position to achieve movement goals

3. Use basic angle positioning rather than arching for vertical movement

E. Relative Work: LATERAL

Objectives:

1. Relative to a coach setting a stable base, demonstrate ability to close small to medium lateral distances safely and with minimal separation in other directions

2. Side slide in both directions while holding grippers and after releasing them

3. Set up in position to take a dock

F. Relative Work: SPEED and ANGLE

Objectives:

1. Control and moderate forward speed relative to a coach

2. Change AoA, with control, relative to a coach

3. Demonstrate basic understanding of horizontal speed, vertical speed, and energy maintenance