Certificates of Proficiency - CoP's
Introduction
The CSPA is authorized by the Aero Club of Canada to issue parachuting certificates on behalf of the FAI, in the general interest of sport aviation in Canada. The CSPA issues Certificates of Proficiency (CoPs) to recognize ability and knowledge, separated into classes to represent different levels of competence.
These "licenses" A, B, C and D, benefit traveling skydivers and all dropzone operators, the benefit of one standard of FAI Certificate of Proficiency applied throughout the world.
Additionally, CSPA grants a nationally recognized "Solo" certificate which updates the former self-supervision endorsement.
The CWC through its system of coaches and instructors is responsible for developing programs that help skydivers achieve the tasks required at each level. In most cases, these coaches and instructors verify the completion of these tasks.
How to Qualify
Skill requirements (skydiving skills) for a CoP must be verified by a person designated by CSPA as qualified to perform that function. Qualified individuals holding signing privileges include Coaches, Instructors, Riggers (for packing), Judges and Qualified Evaluators. Criteria for signing privileges is shown here.
You must demonstrate your ability in the following skill areas:
1. Preparation
As per the Skills Grid
2. Inflight
As per the Skills Grid
3. Freefall
Freefall jumps that are to be counted for CoP purposes must be controlled. The term controlled refers to the parachutist having unassisted control over the attitude of the body from exit to canopy inflation. Control must be maintained during parachute activation.
When recording freefall manoeuvre performance times, the actual time plus any penalties (corrected time) must be shown in the logbook.
The exit altitude and freefall time must also be recorded for every jump in addition to recording the accumulated time.
4. Canopy Control
Accuracy jumps counted for CoP purposes must be controlled. The term controlled refers to the parachutist having a controlled approach on a pre-determined target, executing turns with a minimum amount of oscillation.
The distance of landings from the centre of the target must be recorded in the logbook. Precsion landings are required for the different levels of CoP. Record every distance that can be reasonably measured.
These jump and landing demonstrations must be self-spotted and performed without assistance - that is without instruction or coaching. Landing made while receiving direct instruction or coaching do not count.
5. Equipment
As per Skills Grid
6. Technical Knowledge
As well as performing skills there is an amount of knowledge that must accompany those practical skills. You will be tested on that information prior to applying for your Certificate of Proficiency. You will find study information in the following texts:
- PIM 1
- PIM 2A, B, and C
- The most current CSPA logbooks mini-manual.
The type of information that you will be tested on can be found in the information about the endorsements needed to fulfill the CoP requirement; information pertaining to the privileges of each CoP level; Rules and Recommendations of the CSPA, and; competition, equipement and general parachuting knowledge.
Evaluations
All written/verbal examinations and demonstrations of practical skills will be directed to a skill level appropriate to that of the certifcate being applied for.
There are three areas to be evaluated, these are:
1. Practical Skills
There are performance standards for each certificate. These standards are identified later in this section. All practical skills for the respective CoP must be achieved prior to writing the CoP Exam.
These practical requirements must be witnessed and signed in the logbook by the Coach/Instructor who has the proper rating. A list of the rating holders required for each task can be found in the Endorsement section, below. During processing of your application, your logbook entries are reviewed with special attention being paid to the specific practical qualifications for that certificate.
2. Endorsements
Endorsements are tested by either written testing, verbal questioning and/or practical testing; or a combination of these. The endorsement is tested and signed off by the proper rating holder. A list of the rating holders required for each endorsement is found below. All endorsements for the respective CoP must be obtained prior to writing the CoP exam.
If your logbook does not have an endorsement card, a stick-in page can be obtained from your member group or CSPA office.
Logbook entries for jumps used to meet certificate requirements must be countersigned by a CoP holder who has witnessed the actual jump. Entried must include name, CoP level and number, e.g. R. Parachutist, D-400. A pilot's signature with a Transport Canada license number is not acceptable for certification purposes.
Type of rating required by those holding signing privileges are:
| Endorsement | Required For | Signed By |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Procedure |
Solo
|
SSI, IB |
| Solo Checkout Jump |
Solo
|
JM, PFFI, IA |
| Emergency Procedure Review "Solo" |
Solo
|
JM, SSI, C2, IB |
| 2 Way RW |
A
|
C2 |
| Emergency Procedure Review "A" |
A
|
JM, SSI, C2, IB |
| Main Packing |
A
|
JM, SSI, C2, RA, IA |
| Sport Canopy "A" |
A
|
C2, IB |
| Emergency Procedure Review "B" |
B
|
C2, IB |
| Small Group RW |
B
|
C2 |
| Sport Canopy "B" |
B
|
C2, IB |
| Emergency Procedure Review "C" |
C
|
C2, IB |
| Night Jumps |
Night Jumps
|
IB |
| Water Jumps |
Water Jumps
|
IB |
The above endorsements are only valid when signed in the logbook and on the endorsement card by an appropriate rating holder.
It is the responsibility of persons holding signing privileges to ensure that the candidate has acquired both the practical skills and technical knowledge, to a satisfactory degree, prior to signing the candidate's endorsement card or logbook.
3. Technical Knowledge
An exam will be written for each certificate. A pass mark of 80% must be achieved on the exam.
Exams are written under the supervision of a Certificate Administrator (CA). Results of written exams will be immediately entered on the application section of the exam booklet, by the CA. Failure of a written exam will require a minimum waiting period of 14 days before re-examination can take place.
Written exams are prepared jointly by the T&SC and the CWC. They are distributed, on request, to CAs, up to and including the highest class of CoP held by the CA.
How to Apply
Contact a Certificate Administrator (CA), so as to determine if requirements and qualifications have been met, prior to applying for a CoP. Each member group normally has at least one CA.
The CA will complete the pertinent items on the application form and verify all the required information. The practical demonstrations must be witnessed by appropriate Coaches/Instructors. General qualifications and endorsements must be identified by the CA from a properly verified logbook and endorsement card, prior to signing the CoP application form.
Bring the following items:
- logbook(s), with proof of practical requirements
- endorsement card, with required items signed by appropriate rating holder
- CSPA membership card or completed application form
- applicable fees
Write the applicable CoP exam and review the results with your CA.
Retain all of the above items and:
- forward to the CSPA, or;
- for Solo, A and B applications, have the requirements verified, the application form initialed and signed by a Logbook Examiner (LE), in addition to the CA, before forwarding required items to the CSPA.
Use of a courier or registered mail when forwarding logbooks to CSPA is recommended - make photocopies to be extra careful.
Written exams are normally kept on file for 30 days. If the applicant fails to submit all required items and documentation to CSPA within 30 days of the written exam, they may be asked to rewrite.
Please Note:
- Original, complete logbooks must be forwarded with applications; photocopies are acceptable only if legally notarized as true copies by a Notary Public, Commissioner of Oaths, etc.
- Logbooks need not be forwarded with Solo, A and B CoP applications if requirements have been double-checked and the application form has been duly initialed and signed by both a qualified CA and a LE. (Two different individuals)
- Only older style, sewn CoP booklets need be forwarded if requesting CoP upgrades.
CSPA CoPs may be issued to a Foreign National providing the individual meets the requirements for the level of CoP applied for, is a CSPA member, and has permission from their own NAC. Foreign Nationals, holding at least a “B” level CoP of a nation other than Canada, are not required to obtain a SOLO certificate .
All CSPA certificates, “A” through “D”, must be obtained in sequence.
CSPA/FAI Certificates of Proficiency, once issued, may not be withdrawn, unless obtained by fraudulent means.
Certificate Fees
| Solo, A, B, C, and D CoP Fee | $45.00 |
| Replacement Card | $5.00 |
Sporting License
A Sporting License is a verification of your CSPA/FAI Certificate of Proficiency, issued annually by the Aero Club of Canada for the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, to validate the currency of the certificate holder.
A Sporting License is required to attend events sanctioned by the FAI under the FAI/IPC Sporting Codes. These events include World Air Games, World Games, International Parachuting Championships, World Cups, Continental Championships and World Record Attempts.
An FAI Sporting License issued by the Aero Club of Canada is valid in all nations having membership in the FAI.
All FAI Sporting Licenses issued by the Aero Club of Canada are valid from the date of issue to December 31st of the year of issuance.
Annual Sporting License Fee—contact CSPA for details.
The application procedure is:
- Obtain application form from your member group, the CSPA office or online at our website.
- Complete the form in duplicate and forward to the CSPA office, enclosing the annual fee, allowing at least 30 days to process the application.
Restricted License
Under extraordinary circumstances, such as physical disabilities, a CSPA restricted license may be issued to applicants who are unable to meet all of the specific requirements of the CSPA/FAI CoP requirements.
Restricted licenses shall have individual privileges as granted by CSPA. These privileges shall not exceed those granted for the equivalent level of CSPA/FAI CoP. Such privileges shall be listed on the license in the same manner as CoPs.
Applicants must:
1. Hold current CSPA membership.
2. Submit a petition to the T&SC that includes:
- Level of license requested.
- License requirements which can be met, and the provisions of those requirements.
- License requirements which cannot be met and the circumstances which prevent compliance with these requirements.
- Specific privileges being requested that normally apply to the level of license requested.
- Specific privileges being relinquished that normally apply to the level of license requested.
3. Submit completed CoP exam, administered by a CSPA CA, that relates to the equivalent level of license requested.
