SIGMA TANDEM SYSTEM OWNER’S MANUAL
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Section 3: Instructor Techniques • Chapter 1 - Preparation 11301 - 00.00.0000
CRITERIA FOR JUMPING
The following is the minimum criteria to be followed and will be discussed under the headings of:
A. Personal
B. Geographical
A. Personal requirements:
Age
Physical condition
Weight
Size
Before any Tandem jump, it is important to determine that the student meets a few basic criteria. There are very few
restrictions on who may jump, but the few guidelines put forth here must be followed carefully in order to protect
yourself, the student, and the entire Tandem program. The four student requirements are:
1) Age: The student must be considered an “adult” in the jurisdiction in which the jump is being made. In other words,
the student must be able to legally enter into a contract. In most cases, the age for this is 18. Warning: It is the
responsibility of the drop zone and the Tandem Instructor to insure the student is of legal age.
2) Physical condition: There is very little that precludes someone making a Tandem jump. One of the great advantages
of the Tandem program is that people who would never have been able to skydive may now enjoy the thrill of the
sport. Basically, the student should be in fairly good shape, not be suffering from extreme frailty or extreme old age,
and have no heart condition or other debilitating ailment.
3) Weight: This is an important consideration, and there are a number of factors to be considered. First, the total
combined weight of the Tandem Instructor and the student (not including gear) should not exceed 450 lbs. Tandem
Instructors should increase weights 15 pounds at a time while gaining experience.
4) Size: There are two considerations here; Instructor/student size ratio and the aircraft being used.
a) Instructor/student size ratio: Basic common sense dictates that a small Novice Tandem Instructor should not take
a large student. Follow these criteria when matching Tandem Instructor and student:
* Tandem Instructor must be able to “handle” the student with whom he/she is jumping with. Consider the level of
difficulty for the aircraft being used.
* The newly licensed Tandem Instructor should be equal to or greater than the student in size and strength, and must
be able to steer and flare the canopy without the help of the student. Only after considerable experience should a
Tandem Instructor attempt to take students larger than himself.
b) Aircraft: If a large Tandem Instructor is taking a large student, it may be almost impossible for them to comfortably
get out of a Cessna. However, the same pair could exit easily out of a Skyvan, Twin Otter , or similar aircraft. Aircraft
availability must be taken into consideration when deciding if a student may jump.
B. Geographical requirements:
The following may play a part in how you decide who to take on a given day or at a specific location.
Weather
Terrain
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