How to Be Skydiving Instructor Evaluator - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Skydiving instructors must constantly strive for excellence in their teaching in order to maintain their instructor evaluator rating. This rating is based on the instructor's ability to provide an exceptional learning experience to their students. When instructors fail to meet the standards of the evaluator, they can be downgraded to a lower rating which can have a significant impact on their career.

This can lead to fewer students signing up for classes, fewer job opportunities and ultimately a decrease in income. Therefore, it is essential for skydiving instructors to stay up to date with best practices, current safety regulations and industry standards in order to maintain their evaluator rating.

Steps How to Become

  1. Become a Certified Skydiving Instructor. To become a certified skydiving instructor, you must complete a training course with a certified instructor-trainer. The course typically consists of ground and flight lessons, as well as a written and practical exam.
  2. Acquire additional experience. After you have been certified as a skydiving instructor, it is important to gain additional experience. This includes teaching skydiving classes, attending seminars and conferences, and participating in competitive skydiving events.
  3. Become a USPA Skydiving Instructor Evaluator. The United States Parachute Association (USPA) is the governing body for skydiving in the United States. To become a USPA Skydiving Instructor Evaluator, you must complete a two-day training course offered by the USPA.
  4. Complete the USPA Instructor Evaluator Exam. After completing the two-day training course, you must pass the USPA Instructor Evaluator Exam. This exam consists of multiple-choice and essay questions.
  5. Submit your application to the USPA. After passing the exam, you must submit your application to the USPA for review and approval. Once your application is approved, you will be granted the title of USPA Skydiving Instructor Evaluator.

Skydiving instructors need to stay up to date and competent to ensure the safety of their students. To do this, instructors should attend regular training sessions and seminars with more experienced instructors, attend professional conferences, and take continuing education courses. Keeping abreast of the latest developments in skydiving safety, technique, and technology is essential for instructors to remain current and competent.

By attending these events, instructors can learn from their peers, gain new knowledge, and build their confidence as experienced professionals. having access to the latest safety equipment and techniques can make a difference in the quality of instruction and the safety of the students. Finally, instructors should be sure to stay up to date on all necessary certifications and licenses to ensure they meet the requirements to teach skydiving.

By taking these steps, skydiving instructors can remain competent and ensure the safety of their students.

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Job Description

  1. Skydiving Instructor: Responsible for teaching skydiving courses and providing safe, professional instruction to skydivers of all skill levels.
  2. Skydiving Evaluator: Responsible for evaluating skydiving instructors’ performance and providing feedback to ensure that instructors are providing high quality instruction.
  3. Skydiving Safety Officer: Responsible for ensuring safety protocols are followed at all times and for responding to any safety concerns in a timely manner.
  4. Skydiving Equipment Technician: Responsible for inspecting, maintaining, and repairing skydiving equipment.
  5. Skydiving Instructor Trainer: Responsible for developing and delivering training programs to aspiring skydiving instructors.
  6. Skydiving Coach: Responsible for planning, organizing, and leading skydiving training sessions to help skydivers improve their skills and reach their goals.

Skills and Competencies to Have

  1. Knowledge of safety protocols and best practices
  2. Ability to teach skydiving techniques and maneuvers
  3. Knowledge of skydiving equipment and gear
  4. Ability to assess and evaluate student performance
  5. Ability to identify and address potential risks
  6. Knowledge of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations
  7. Ability to demonstrate proper body position and falling techniques
  8. Ability to teach emergency procedures
  9. Ability to plan and coordinate skydiving jumps
  10. Ability to communicate and interact effectively with students

The most important skill for a skydiving instructor evaluator is the ability to assess the proficiency of a skydiver. This involves having a keen eye for detail and being able to recognize small mistakes that could lead to dangerous and potentially life-threatening situations. An evaluator must also be able to communicate effectively with the skydiver, offering advice and instruction in order to help them improve and become a better skydiver.

Furthermore, an evaluator should have an in-depth knowledge of the sport, including skydiving safety protocols, equipment requirements, and various maneuvers so that they can accurately evaluate a skydiver’s performance. Lastly, a skydiving instructor evaluator needs to be able to remain calm and collected during a dive in order to make sure that all safety protocols are followed and that the risk level is minimized. Being able to assess the proficiency of a skydiver while remaining calm and collected is an invaluable skill for a skydiving instructor evaluator.

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Frequent Interview Questions

  • What experience do you have as a skydiving instructor?
  • How do you ensure your students’ safety when skydiving?
  • Describe a time when you had to handle a difficult student during a skydiving lesson.
  • How do you stay current with the latest trends and technologies in skydiving?
  • What strategies do you use when teaching new skydivers?
  • What qualifications do you possess that make you an excellent skydiving instructor?
  • How do you manage the stress of teaching skydiving?
  • How do you motivate your students to learn and practice new skills?
  • Explain your approach to providing feedback to your students.
  • What methods do you use for assessing the performance of your students?

Common Tools in Industry

  1. Qualification Checklist. A list of criteria used to assess the qualifications of a skydiving instructor. (eg: Minimum flight time, experience in teaching, knowledge of safety protocols, etc. )
  2. Performance Evaluation Form. A form used to rate and review the performance of a skydiving instructor during a lesson. (eg: Knowledge of safety procedures, teaching style, ability to answer student questions, etc. )
  3. Instructor Observation Log. A log used to record observations of a skydiving instructor while in the air or on the ground. (eg: Proper use of equipment, communication with other instructors, adherence to safety protocols, etc. )
  4. Student Feedback Form. A form used to gather feedback from students regarding their experience with a skydiving instructor. (eg: Quality of instruction, level of safety, overall satisfaction, etc. )
  5. Instructor Safety Checklist. A checklist used to confirm that an instructor is following all safety procedures during a jump. (eg: Proper use of equipment, briefing and debriefing of students, proper use of emergency equipment, etc. )

Professional Organizations to Know

  1. United States Parachute Association (USPA)
  2. International Bodyflight Association (IBA)
  3. Association of Professional Skydivers (APS)
  4. British Parachute Association (BPA)
  5. World Freefall Convention (WFC)
  6. Canadian Sport Parachuting Association (CSPA)
  7. International Association of Parachuting Instructors (IAPI)
  8. Australian Parachute Federation (APF)
  9. World Skydiving League (WSL)
  10. Aviation Safety Network (ASN)

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Common Important Terms

  1. Freefall. A period of time during a skydive when the parachutist is in the air and not yet using their parachute.
  2. Parachuting. The act of descending to the ground using a parachute.
  3. Aerial Maneuvers. Acrobatic maneuvers performed by a parachutist during a skydive.
  4. Canopy. The part of the parachute that opens up and acts as a sail, allowing the parachutist to glide to the ground.
  5. Skydiving. Participating in the sport of parachuting from an aircraft at a high altitude.
  6. Landing Pattern. A specific flight path that a parachutist follows when maneuvering for a successful landing.
  7. Reserve Parachute. A backup parachute that is rarely used, but is kept as a safety measure in case the primary canopy malfunctions.
  8. Emergency Procedures. Specific techniques that are used to respond to an emergency situation during a skydive.
  9. Terminal Velocity. The speed at which a parachutist reaches a steady state of freefall, typically around 120 mph.
  10. Body Positioning. The positioning of a parachutist’s body during freefall and while maneuvering in order to achieve optimal results.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications are needed to become a Skydiving Instructor Evaluator?

To become a Skydiving Instructor Evaluator, candidates must meet the USPA Instructor Evaluator requirements, which include being at least 21 years of age, having a minimum of 200 skydives, and holding a USPA Coach rating or higher.

What are the responsibilities of a Skydiving Instructor Evaluator?

A Skydiving Instructor Evaluator is responsible for evaluating and rating skydiving instructors in accordance with USPA standards. They must also provide feedback to instructors on how to improve their teaching methods and give recommendations regarding any corrective actions that may be required.

How often do Skydiving Instructor Evaluators need to be recertified?

Skydiving Instructor Evaluators must be recertified every two years in order to maintain their credentials. This can be done by either attending a recertification course or taking an online evaluation.

What materials are required for a Skydiving Instructor Evaluator course?

The materials required for a Skydiving Instructor Evaluator course include the USPA Instructor Manual, USPA Basic Safety Requirements Manual, USPA Coach Curriculum, and USPA Evaluator Course Guidebook.

What is the cost of becoming a Skydiving Instructor Evaluator?

The cost of becoming a Skydiving Instructor Evaluator varies depending on the instructor's qualifications and the course chosen. Most courses range from $400-$800 USD.

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