Freefly rules for the USPA

[robellis 0]

In the UK in order even to make your first solo FF descent, you must have a number of flat-flying skills equivalent to Category 9 (i.e. everything but the first 3-way).
What's the rules for the US? Does any1 have any comments on this ruling?

[Dutchboy 0]

Rules, what rules. You Brits like your rules, surprised you don't have sky police.
Seriously, there are no rules about who can freefly. I've seen guys with only 13 jumps sitflying. Personally, I don't think this is a good thing and that you should focus on basic RW skills first, but that's just my opinion.
The Dutchboy
http://www.geocities.com/ppolstra

[SpeedRacer 1]

The US govt. org. FAA doesn't have any specific rules re. freeflying, but the USPA ( a non-government org.) has some safety recommendations. I believe they're listed in the Freeflying section 9-6 of the Skydiver Information Manual.
And yes, they recommend having some demonstrated proficiency in belly flying first. They also recommend doing sit-flying before doing head-down flying. A sample excerpt:
9-6.02 QUALIFICATIONS
Before engaging in freeflying, the skydiver should have demon-strated
air skills, including:
A. consistent altitude awareness
B. basic formation skydiving skills
C. ability to track to achieve horizontal separation
D. understanding of the jump run line of flight
E. proficiency at sit-flying before attempting standing or
head-down maneuvers
There are other safety recommendations as well, regarding gear, etc.
Speed Racer
"De plaene!! De plaene!!"

[mattb 0]

No rules here in the US. Depending on where you learn you might get freefly exposure as a student. As part of AFP I had 4 or 5 jumps that were either all or part sit-flying during my student program.
-mob

[SpeedRacer 1]

Here is the website for USPA's Skydiver's Information Manual:
http://www.uspa.org/Publications/SIM/SIM.pdf
Check out section 9-6 for freeflying recommendations.

(MattB and Dutchboy: It all depends on how you define "rules". USPA is not a govt. org. so you won't get arrested Besides, it's too hard to handcuff people in freefall!!)
Speed Racer
"De plaene!! De plaene!!"

[riggerrob 558]

No rules governing who can freefly in Canada, just some vague guidelines.
Last weekend we had a group discusion with the head of CSPA's Coaching Committee. We concluded that aspiring freefliers should have the (belly flying) RW endorsement signed for their "A" Ceritificate of Proficiency. Then they should do a few dozen sit flying jumps. Followed by stand-up jumps and late in the program they should try head-down. Local freefliers agree with this progression.