Member Progression Extend

Member Progression Extend

Extend your learning journey

Certificates

The APF tiered system of skydiving certificates ranging from A to F. Each level gets progressively harder and more advanced, ensuring that the skydiver has practised a wide range of skills and has gained plenty of experience before moving onto the next tier.
Certificate A

After you earn your Certificate A, you'll be able to jump solo on your own at many dropzones in Australia.

You won’t be limited to skydiving in Australia; because the Certificate A is internationally recognised. Most sport skydiving drop zones around the world will accept Certificate A skydivers and grant them the same rights and responsibilities.

In order to earn your Certificate A, you’ll fulfill the following requirements:

  • Successfully completed the Student Training Table
  • Successfully completed the Class A Canopy Handling Table
  • Made at least 10 stable freefalls
  • Made at least 10 witnessed verified landings, within either 30m of the target centre or a 50 x 30m runway, performed without canopy control assistance.
Certificate B

To complete your Certificate B, you’ll fulfill these requirements:

  • At least 50 stable freefalls
  • Completed a Class B Training Table and made 3 x 4-way flatfly RW jumps entering the formation third or later
  • At least 10 witnessed verified landings, within either 25m of the target centre or a 30 x 20m runway, performed without canopy control assistance.
  • Be approved to pack a main parachute for own use
  • Determine the best position above the ground to exit the aircraft
Certificate C

Want to skydive at night? With a camera, so you can get some sweet skydiving videos? Do a high altitude skydive (from above 15,000 feet, with supplemental oxygen)? Skydive in winds of up to 25 knots? That’s James Bond stuff, we know, but it’s totally possible with a Certificate C.

To complete your Certificate C, you’ll fulfill these requirements:

  • Complete all previous certifications
  • Log at least 100 stable freefall skydives
  • Perform at least 10 witnessed verified landings within 10 meters of the target centre, or a 20 x 10m runway, performed without canopy control assistance
Certificate D

With a Certificate D, stuff gets even cooler. With this level of skydiving certification, you’ll be able to put on a wingsuit for the first time and test out your wings. And speaking of baby birds: You can even help to bring more skydivers into the sport by training to become a B-Rel coach. (Cool, huh?)

To complete your Certificate D, you’ll fulfill these requirements:

  • Complete all previous certification levels
  • Log at least 200 freefall skydives
  • Made at least 20 witnessed verified landings, within either 5m of the target centre or a 10 x 5m runway
  • Be assessed as competent to do the spot for the aircraft load
Certificate E

The APF Certificate E is the apex of radness. At this point, you’re a full-grown skydiver with all the rights and responsibilities that entails. You’re also able to train to become a Tandem Skydiving Instructor, a Wingsuit Coach and a Demonstration Skydiver. Welcome to the next exciting chapter of your skydiving life!

To complete your Certificate E, you’ll fulfill these requirements:

  • Complete all previous certification levels
  • Log at least 500 freefall skydives
  •  Made at least 20 witnessed verified landings, within either 1m of the target centre or a 10 x 2m runway

What a journey, right? We bet you can’t wait to get started.

Certificate F

Certificate F is the highest certificate possible as issued by the Australian Parachute Federation. It requires a minimum of 1,000 jumps, one jump at night, and hold or eligibility for a Display Pro qualification.

Display Qualifications

Display open up a world of possible landing areas that are not available without the proper qualifications. These can include beaches, other airfields, stadiums, parks and other public places. 

Display General

Display General is the first Display Qualification. It is the minimum requirement for display jumps, with some requiring a Display Pro or Display Open, depending on location and conditions. If you want to do beach landings, this is the place to start! The requirements:

  • Hold a Certificate D or higher, OR
  • Hold a Certificate B, and made at least 10 consecutively nominated jumps with witnessed verified landings within either 20m of the target centre or a 30 x 20m runway
Display Pro

For tighter landing areas, or more difficult landings, a Display Pro is a minimum. This is a common requirement for instructors or those regularly participating in parachuting displays. The requirements:

  • Hold Certificate D
  • Participated in at least 5 displays OR performed 20 descents into a Class E DZ in the last 12 months
  • Hold a Certificate F OR have completed the required 20 consecutively nominated jumps with witnessed verified landings within either 5m of the target centre or a 15 x 2m runway
  • STO Approval
Display Open

Display Open is the top tier of Display Qualification. It required a minimum of:

  • Certificate F
  • Hold a Display Pro
  • STO Approval
  • Participated in at least 5 displays of Display Pro standard OR performed 20 descents into a Class E DZ in the last 12 months
  • Have completed the required 20 consecutively nominated jumps with witnessed verified landings within either 1m of the target centre or a 3 x 1m runway

What's next?

Crests

In the sport of skydiving, crests represent a skydiver's proficiency in specific disciplines or achievements. To earn a crest, you must meet certain requirements, such as holding specific certificate classes, completing specific training tables, participating in successful canopy formations or freefly formations, and having their performances witnessed by qualified judges or coaches. 

Starcrest

Starcrests allow you to jump with more than 10 participants on the same jump. You must have a Certificate B, and participate in at least three successful flatfly RW descents with 8 to 10 parachutists involved.

Night Starcrest

To qualify for a Night Star Crest (NSC), applicants must have participated in a successful flatfly RW (relative work) formation at night involving eight to 10 parachutists. Before a NSC is attempted, night orientation training according to OR 9.5.2 and Training Operations Manual (TOM) 5.6 must be successfully completed.

Freefly HU Crest

The Freefly Head-Up Crest (FFHU) certifies skydivers for head-up freefly jumps. To earn it, they need a Certificate B, complete qualifying jumps, and have a Freefly Coach verify them. They also need written approval from the Chief Instructor for jumps with more than three people.

Freefly HD Crest

The Freefly Head-Down Crest (FFHD) is an achievement in skydiving that represents proficiency in head-down freefly jumps. To qualify for the FFHD, applicants must successfully complete Stage 4 of the Freefly Training Table, which includes demonstrating proficiency in head-down jumps.

Wingsuit Crest

The Wingsuit Crest is an achievement in skydiving that represents proficiency in wingsuit flying. To qualify for the Wingsuit Crest, applicants must hold a Certificate D and successfully complete the Wingsuit Training Table Parts A, B, and C to the satisfaction of a Wingsuit Coach.

CRW Crest

The Canopy Relative Work Crest (CRW Crest) is an achievement in skydiving that represents proficiency in Canopy Relative Work. You will need suitable equipment for CRW and have completed a course of instruction according to the APF Training Operations Manual.. Each stage of the CRW Training Table must be performed to the satisfaction of a Drop Zone Safety Officer (DZSO).

Instructors

Becoming a skydiving instructor involves comprehensive training and significant skydiving experience.  Once certified, instructors take on the rewarding responsibility of introducing new jumpers to the exhilarating world of skydiving, ensuring their safety and building their confidence throughout the experience.

AFF Endorsement

To obtain an AFF endorsement, one must hold an Instructor rating in accordance with RS 53, 5.1, hold a valid Certificate D, have documented evidence of at least four hours of freefall experience, and successfully complete an approved course of instruction in AFF.

SFF Endorsement

To obtain an SFF endorsement, one must hold an Instructor rating in accordance with RS 53, 5.1, hold a valid Certificate D, and successfully complete an approved course of instruction in either Static Line (SL), Instructor Assisted Deployment (IAD) or both.

Tandem Endorsement

To obtain a tandem endorsement, an applicant must hold an instructor rating in accordance with regulations, hold a valid Certificate Class E, and possess a current CASA Private Pilot Medical Certificate.

DZSO

A DZSO, or Drop Zone Safety Officer, is a key appointment responsible for overseeing safety during parachuting operations at a drop zone. The responsibilities of a DZSO include ensuring the competency, equipment, and qualifications of staff and jumpers according to the APF regulations and schedules.

Course Trainer

The Course Trainer is approved to instruct student parachutists in approved courses and emergency procedures. A Course Trainer may also instruct candidates in instructor-level courses for certain ratings and endorsement.

Senior Instructor

Senior Instructor may be eligible to apply for approvals such as Instructor Examiner or as Chief Instructor of a Training Organisation. The validity of this Senior Instructor rating depends on the holder continuing to maintain valid Drop Zone Safety Officer and Course Trainer endorsements.

Packers

Parachute packers are essential for ensuring the safety and reliability of parachuting operations. They meticulously inspect, fold, and pack parachutes, certifying them as airworthy and ready for deployment. Collaborating closely with instructors and riggers, they play a vital role in maintaining the integrity of equipment, contributing to the smooth and safe execution of each jump.

Packer B

You must successfully complete a relevant course of instruction, pass written, oral, and practical assessments set by the APF, and have the recommendation of the Chief Instructor or Rigger for the probation period. A person with a Packer B rating is authorized to inspect, pack, and carry out daily maintenance on main parachutes with which they are familiar.

Packer A

You must successfully complete a relevant course of instruction, pass written, oral, and practical assessments set by the APF, and have the recommendation of the Chief Instructor or Rigger for the probation period. A person with a Packer A rating is authorized to exercise all privileges of a Packer B and can also inspect, pack, certify as airworthy, and carry out daily maintenance on reserve and emergency parachutes with which they are familiar.

Rigger

As holders of a valid Rigger rating, they are authorized to exercise the privileges of a Packer A, carry out repairs as long as they do not involve any design alteration, undertake modifications or alterations to specifications approved by the National Rigging Officer (NRO) or manufacturer of the parachute, and manufacture non-certified parachute parts.

  1. Home
  2. Members
  3. Member Progression
<~~apfmembershiponlinerenewal~~>
<~~apfcustomeditmemberurl~~>
: