How to Be AFF (Accelerated Freefall) Instructor - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Nov 29, 2022 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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Accelerated Freefall (AFF) Instructors are essential for those wanting to take their skydiving experience to the next level. AFF Instructors provide the necessary training for skydivers to progress from tandem jumps to solo dives. The training includes teaching the necessary skills to safely and smoothly exit the aircraft, freefall, deploy the parachute and land safely.

By having an AFF Instructor, skydivers can learn these skills in a safe and controlled environment, ensuring they are prepared for their first solo jump. AFF Instructors provide the necessary information on safety protocols, safety equipment, skydiving techniques and the latest regulations. With the guidance of an AFF instructor, skydivers can become more confident in their abilities and better prepared for the thrill of a solo jump.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a minimum of 200 jumps and become a USPA (United States Parachute Association) rated Skydiver. This includes a current First Jump Course certificate and a current USPA A-license.
Obtain the USPA AFF Instructor rating. This requires attending an AFF Instructor Certification Course (ICC) and passing the USPA Instructor Exam.
Obtain the AFF Instructor rating from the manufacturer of the equipment being used. Each manufacturer has its own criteria, which must be met to become an instructor for their equipment.
Attend an AFF Instructor Evaluation Course (IEC). This is an instructor-level evaluation course that all prospective AFF instructors must attend to be certified as an AFF instructor.
Pass the USPA Instructor Exam, AFF Instructor rating from the equipment manufacturer, and the AFF Instructor Evaluation Course (IEC).
Once all requirements are met, the individual can be certified as an AFF instructor by the USPA.

Staying up to date and efficient as an Accelerated Freefall (AFF) Instructor is essential to ensuring the safety of students and providing quality instruction. Regularly attending conferences, seminars and workshops helps instructors remain current on the latest teaching techniques and best practices. Staying informed about industry changes and technological advances can help instructors adapt their teaching methods to stay efficient.

staying in contact with other instructors can provide a valuable exchange of ideas and allow instructors to learn from others in the field. Having a good understanding of the AFF curriculum and regularly reviewing the most recent standards set by the USPA (United States Parachute Association) will also help instructors remain knowledgeable and efficient. By engaging in these activities, AFF Instructors can ensure they are providing their students with the highest quality instruction and safety standards.

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Job Description

Responsible for providing Accelerated Freefall (AFF) instruction to skydiving students.
Ensures that student safety is the primary focus of all operations.
Develops training plans and curricula to guide student progression.
Develops and maintains comprehensive knowledge of AFF and canopy flight techniques.
Establishes and monitors safety rules, regulations, and procedures.
Maintains a safe aircraft environment and equipment.
Ensures that all student aircraft and skydiving equipment is in good working order and kept in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations.
Assists in the preparation of parachutes for skydiving operations.
Assists in the set-up and maintenance of aircraft for skydiving operations.
Monitors student performance and provides feedback during skydiving operations and ground instruction.
Evaluates student progress and provides input into AFF certification decisions.
Promotes a supportive learning environment for students.
Participates in the review, evaluation, and development of AFF program policies and procedures.
Maintains accurate records of student progress and certifications.
Participates in other air operations, such as aircraft maintenance, rigging, and video/photography, when necessary.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Ability to effectively teach basic skydiving theory and safety procedures.
Knowledge of advanced freefall techniques, safety protocols, and emergency procedures.
Ability to coach students on body position control and freefall maneuvers.
Ability to demonstrate proper freefall exit techniques and maneuvers.
Thorough knowledge of AFF (Accelerated Freefall) equipment and rigging systems.
Ability to demonstrate proper canopy flight techniques and landing procedures.
Ability to recognize potential student safety issues and take appropriate corrective action.
Excellent communication and instructional skills.
Excellent organizational and administrative skills.
Ability to remain calm and composed in stressful situations.

Being a successful Accelerated Freefall (AFF) Instructor requires possessing a variety of skills and knowledge. The most important skill to have is the ability to effectively communicate and explain concepts in a clear and concise manner. This requires having a thorough understanding of the principles of skydiving, as well as being able to answer questions and provide guidance to students.

the instructor needs to have the technical knowledge of how to safely operate and equip the student for their skydive. Furthermore, the instructor should have a comprehensive understanding of the rules and regulations associated with skydiving, in order to ensure that all activities are conducted in a safe and legal manner. Having excellent problem-solving skills is also an essential attribute for any AFF Instructor, as they need to be able to quickly assess any potential risks and quickly take the necessary steps to rectify any issues.

Finally, a successful AFF Instructor should be patient, approachable, and be able to build trust and rapport with their students. All these skills are necessary in order to be an effective AFF Instructor and ensure that their students have the best experience possible while skydiving.

Skydiving Instructor of Record, Advanced Canopy Pilot, and Skydiving Retail Sales Representative are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in AFF instruction?
How do you handle students who are afraid of jumping out of the plane?
How do you assess a students progress and determine when they are ready to move on to more advanced training?
What safety standards do you use for AFF instruction?
Describe a successful AFF student experience you have had in the past.
What would you do if a student was not following instructions during a jump?
How have you used technology to enhance your teaching methods for AFF instruction?
How would you go about training a student for their first solo jump?
What strategies do you use to ensure that every student has a successful and safe experience with AFF?
Describe a challenging situation you dealt with while instructing AFF and how you overcame it.

Common Tools in Industry

Parachute. A device used to slow the descent of a person or object through the air by creating drag. (e. g. Pilot chute)
Altimeter. An instrument used to measure altitude and vertical speed. (e. g. Suunto Altimaster)
Harness. A device used to secure a person to a parachute and other equipment. (e. g. Pilot Parachute Harness)
Rigging Tool Kit. A collection of tools used to assemble and inspect parachute systems. (e. g. Supreme Tool Kit)
Safety Helmet. A protective headgear designed for skydiving and other high-impact activities. (e. g. Skydiving Helmet)
Logbook. A record of a skydiver's activities, including jumps and freefall times. (e. g. Skydive Logbook)
Emergency Deployment Device. A device used to deploy a parachute in the event of an emergency exit or malfunction. (e. g. Cypres AAD)
First Aid Kit. A collection of medical supplies used to treat minor injuries and illnesses encountered during skydiving activities. (e. g. Skydiving First Aid Kit)

Professional Organizations to Know

United States Parachute Association (USPA): The USPA is the national governing body for skydiving in the United States, providing AFF instructor certification, insurance, and other resources for skydiving professionals.
International Bodyflight Association (IBA): The IBA is a global organization dedicated to promoting safety standards and professionalism in AFF instruction, canopy piloting, and other forms of bodyflight.
International Skydiving Academy (ISA): The ISA provides AFF training courses and certification programs for skydiving instructors.
World Freefall Convention (WFC): The WFC is an annual event held in the United States that brings together skydivers of all levels, including AFF instructors, to share knowledge, skills, and experiences.
Professional Association of Freefall Instructors (PAFFI): PAFFI is an international organization that promotes and supports excellence in AFF instruction and safety.

We also have Skydiving Ground Crew Member, Canopy Formation Instructor, and Static Line Instructor jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Static Line Parachuting. A type of parachuting where the parachute is deployed automatically by a static line attached to the aircraft.
Freefall. A method of parachuting in which the jumper does not open their parachute until after they have fallen for a certain amount of time.
Canopy. The main part of a parachute, which is deployed to slow the descent of a skydiver.
Altitude Awareness. The ability to accurately judge one's altitude and time of deployment in order to ensure the safety of the skydiver.
Aircraft Exit. The point at which the skydiver leaves the aircraft in order to begin their jump.
Parachute Landing Fall (PLF). A technique used to safely land a skydiver on the ground at the end of a jump.
Emergency Procedures. Procedures used in the event of an emergency while skydiving, such as an entangled canopy or malfunctioning equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is AFF (Accelerated Freefall)? A1: AFF (Accelerated Freefall) is a method of skydiving instruction where the student is taught to freefall from an aircraft and deploy their own parachute at a predetermined altitude. Q2: What is the minimum age requirement for an AFF Instructor? A2: The minimum age requirement for an AFF Instructor is 18 years old. Q3: What qualifications must an AFF Instructor possess? A3: An AFF Instructor must possess a USPA Instructor rating, a valid medical certificate, and a minimum of 100 jumps. Q4: How many jumps must an AFF Instructor have completed in order to teach? A4: An AFF Instructor must have completed at least 50 jumps in order to teach. Q5: What is the highest level of AFF certification an Instructor can achieve? A5: The highest level of AFF certification an Instructor can achieve is a USPA AFF Instructor Examiner rating.

Web Resources

Accelerated Freefall | Bluegrass Writers Studio TM | Eastern creativewriting.eku.edu
THE ACCELERATION OF GRAVITY:EXPERIMENTS WITH A classes.oc.edu
AF Academy cadets teach their vice superintendent how to freefall www.usafa.edu