The British Parachute Association

	Skydiving Glossary Skydiving, like many sports, has its own jargon - which can be confusing to begin with. No worries: here's our jargon-buster guide to what it all means! Click on the letters below and use the arrows to get back to the top of the page. If you come across any other terms you think we should add, please let us know on skydive@bpa.org.uk
	A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
	A
	AAD	Automatic Activation Device. A back up device which initiates the deployment sequence of the reserve parachute in certain emergency situations. Common types include `Cypres' and `FXC 1200'
	A/C	Abbreviation for aircraft
	ACCURACY	A competition discipline, where the skydiver tries to land on, or as close as possible to a specified target
	AFF	Accelerated Free Fall- A 'fast track' method of learning to skydive. You jump from about 12,000 ft on the first jump with 2 instructors. Generally you are more likely to reach Cat 8 in fewer jumps
	AGL	Above ground level
	ALTI	Altimeter- A barometer device which indicates height above the ground
	AOD	Old name for AAD
	APA	Army Parachute Association, Affiliated to the BPA, based at Netheravon
	ARGUS	Type of AAD
	ARTISTICS	The disciplines of Freeflying, Freestyle and Skysurfing
	ATC	Air Traffic Control
	B
	BAG LOCK	A malfunction of a freefall system where lines have deployed but canopy is still trapped in bag
	BCPA	British Collegiate Parachute Association- A group run by and for college students, associated with the BPA. Runs regional and annual competitions for BPA members still undertaking education
	BELLY FLYING	Freefalling in a belly to earth position i.e. formation skydiving
	BI	Basic Instructor
	BLADE RUNNING	Swooping under canopy through a series of wind blades along the ground
	BOC	Bottom of container
	BOOGIE	A gathering of parachutists, whether National or International, normally associated with organised jumping, using large aircraft
	BOOTIES	Jumpsuit 'feet' which hook over the front of the shoe
	BPA	British Parachute Association - The governing body of sport for parachutists within the BPA, run by an elected Council of 15 sport parachutists, with a number of full-time employees fulfilling technical and administrative tasks
	BRAKES	Used to slow down and steer canopy, located on the risers of square canopies
	BREAK-OFF	The time jumpers stop playing in freefall and find safe sky to open their parachutes
	BRIDLE	A line attached from the pilot chute to the top skin of canopy
	BUM SPOT	An error of judgement by the jumpmaster, in which you have been despatched at a point at which you will probably find it impossible to get back to the PLA
	BUNGEE	Rubber band used for stowing lines
	C
	CAA	Civil Aviation Authority - the body responsible for air standards, safety and operations in UK airspace
	CATEGORY	A stage of progression from 1-8, with a specific set of guidelines for achievement, laid down by the STC. Followed by all students undertaking training at BPA Affiliated Parachute Clubs. Category 1-8 jumpers are classified as student parachutists
	CERTIFICATES (LICENCES)	FAI (National) 'A' Certificate (Licence) - Category 8 and at least 'CH-Grade 1' FAI (National) 'B' Certificate (Licence) - FAI 'A' Certificate, 50 descents and at least 50 'CH-Grade 2 and JM-Grade 1'. FAI (National) 'C' Certificate (Licence) - FAI 'B' certificate, 200 descents and at least one further 'Grade 1' FAI (National) 'D' Certificate (Licence) - FAI 'C' Certificate and 1000 descents.
	CCI	Club (or Centre) Chief Instructor- Advanced instructor (or Advanced Instructor/Examiner) nominated as the person in charge of a parachute operation
	CF	Canopy Formations- Formation Work with 2 or more square canopies. Used to be known as CRW (Canopy Relative Work)
	CH1 & CH2	BPA Canopy Handling qualifications, Grades 1 & 2
	CF1	Canopy Formation qualification, Grade 1
	CLASSICS	Style and accuracy
	COMPS COMMITTEE	A committee of the BPA which arranges competitions and their rues, etc
	CONTAINER	The harness and pack in which parachutes are contained
	CP	Canopy Piloting
	CP1 & CP2	BPA Canopy Piloting qualifications, Grades 1 & 2
	CRABBING	Point canopy across wind line (the wind pushes the canopy sideways)
	CREEPER	A board with wheels on that jumpers use to practice their skydive
	CReW	Canopy Relative Work, old term for CF
	CSI	Category System Instructor
	CUT	Command given to the pilot to slow the aircraft speed for exit
	CUTAWAY	Jettison of the main canopy usually after a malfunction
	D
	DC	Dead Centre - top score in accuracy competitions
	DEBRIEF	Post skydive analysis
	DELAY	The period of time in freefall
	DEMO	A parachute jump performed as a demonstration at an event (Also known as a display)
	DIRT DIVE	The curious looking dance that skydivers use to practice their FS positions, prior to emplaning
	DIVE	One of the methods of exiting the aircraft and can be short for skydive
	DOCK	Take up a grip on a freefall formation or the linking of one canopy to another
	DOWNPLANE	CF formation with 2 jumpers linking linking legs and flying their canopies straight down
	DOWNWIND	Pointing the canopy in the direction the wind is blowing
	DP	Dummy-pull (also known as DRCP). Training stage, as part of preparation for Free-fall
	DRAG MAT	Individual packing mat that container rests on during packing
	DUMP	Deploy Canopy
	DYTTER	Audible altitude warning device worn by the ear
	DZ	Drop Zone - a notified portion of airspace within which skydives/ parachute descents are made
	E
	EP	Exit Point - point over the ground determined as the release point from the aircraft, such that freefall drift, throw-forward and other factors cause you to arrive at the opening point at the right height
	EXIT	Leave the aircraft and enter freefall

	F
	FAA	Federal Aviation Administration - US equivalent of the CAA, who set standards for many items of parachute equipment
	FAI	Federation Aeronautique Internationale - the International Governing Body for all air sports, based in Switzerland (See also RAeC)
	FAI LICENCE	A ladder of qualification, starting at 'A' up to 'D'
	FACTORY DIVER	Type of enclosed full face helmet
	FF1/2	Freeflying Qualification, grade 1 and 2
	FLARE	To pull down both brakes to turn forward speed into lift for landing
	FLAT LINE	Continuous warning tone from audible altimeter (Time Out) at 1500 ft meaning act now
	FLAT FLYER	FS jumper
	FLOATER	Exit position where the jumper holds on outside the aircraft
	FORMATION	Two or more jumpers linked in freefall
	FREEFLY	A freefall discipline of any orientation other than flat flying
	FREESTYLE	A freefall discipline performing aerial gymnastics
	FREE BAG	Bag the reserve canopy is packed into, inside reserve container
	FRIDGE	Slang term for some hard helmets
	FS	Formation Skydiving. Used to be called RW (Relative Work). The building of formations by a number of people in freefall, for fun, or for competition. The most wide-spread discipline in Sport Parachuting
	FS1	Formation Skydiving, grade 1
	F111	Fairly porous fabric used on accuracy canopies
	G
	GATW	Acronym often used in student logbooks, meaning "Good All The Way"
	GLIDE RATIO	Ratio of forward movement to descent rate under canopy
	GPS	Global Positioning System. Navigation system used by aircraft which confirms ground position
	GRAND PRIX	Regional competition organised by the BPA
	GRIP	Handle on a jumpsuit used for FS
	GROUNDRUSH	The illusion of the ground appearing to accelerate towards you
	H
	HACKY	Popular skydiving game using a bean filled bag (Hacky Sack)
	HALF SERIES	A succession of manoeuvres, two alternate turns and a back-loop
	HARNESS	Webbing assembly which is part of the container system
	HOLDING	Facing canopy into the wind
	HOOK KNIFE	Small knife with protected blade carried in case of line tangles
	HOOK TURN	A radical manoeuvre with a square parachute close to the ground, resulting in a rapid rate of descent, followed by extra lift in the flare (when executed correctly). Executed poorly, injury often results
	HOP & POP	Slang for a very short freefall delay
	I
	IC1	Individual canopy qualification, grade 1
	IPC	International Parachuting Commission, part of the FAI
	IS1	Individual style qualification, grade 1
	J
	JM	Jumpmaster - an experienced Skydiver, or Instructor, responsible to the CCI and pilot for the parachutists on each lift
	JM1	BPA Jumpmaster qualification Grade 1
	JSPC	Joint Services Parachute Centre. Centres around the world, formed to give skydiving opportunities to service personnel
	K
	KILL LINE	Line through bridle which collapses pilot chute after canopy opens to reduce drag
	L
	LAUNCH	Two or more jumpers exiting the aircraft together (stable)
	M
	MAIN	Primary parachute
	MAL	Malfunction - a failure in some part of the parachuting system, causing you to carry out your emergency procedures
	MANIFEST	List of all on board the aircraft
	MANIFESTOR	The person responsible to the CCI for allocating jumpers to aircraft, and keeping the legally required records
	N
	NATIONALS	British Open National Championships, an annual event organised by the BPA
	NCSO	National Coach and Safety Officer - an employee of the BPA responsible to Council for the safe conduct of parachuting in the UK, and the training of Instructors
	O
	OP	Opening Point - the point over the ground at which the parachutist should open their canopies such that taking into account wind drift, they will land on the target. OP and EP will be the same for a SL jumper
	OPENING SHOCK	The force felt due to sudden deceleration as the canopy opens
	P
	PARASKI	Combination ski/accuracy event
	PILOT CHUTE	A small parachute used to create drag and pull the main parachute out into the air
	PIN	1) Basic FS manoeuvre in which one jumper formates with another in freefall 2) Closing device for main and reserve parachutes
	PJI	Parachute Jumping Instructor
	PLA	The area where it is intended skydivers/parachutist will land (sometimes mistakenly called a DZ)
	PLF	Parachute Landing Fall - the controlled collapse and roll which absorbs the landing impact, usually under a round parachute, but may save you under a fast moving square parachute
	POINT	In FS or CF, each successfully completed formation scores one point. The formations themselves are often referred to in this way
	POROSITY	The amount of air that will pass through a given area of canopy material
	POPS	Parachutists Over Phorty Society; an association for the more mature skydiver
	PRO-DYTTER	A type of altitude warning device which gives additional freefall speed and distance information
	PRO-PACK	One way of packing a square canopy
	PULL	Deploy main parachute (also dump)
	PULL OUT	Method of deployment where the pilot chute is packed inside the container, the owner pulls out the pin and the pilot chute
	PULL-UP CORD	Short length of line or binding tape used to close a parachute container
	R
	RAeC	Royal Aero Club of the United Kingdom - the UK representatives on and of the FAI
	RAFSPA	Royal Air Force Sport Parachuting Association, based at Weston on the Green
	RAPS	Ram-Air Progression System - A programme for beginners using square parachutes from jump 1
	REGIONALS	Regional championships, also known as Grand Prix
	RIG	A set of equipment, comprising main, reserve and container(s).
	RIGGER	A person qualified to construct, maintain and repair parachutes and related equipment
	RISER	Webbing strip
	ROUND	A classic parachute
	RSL	Reserve Static Line - a back-up device that opens the reserve on releasing the main
	RUNNING	Facing canopy down wind
	RUN-IN	Final line that the aircraft flies to reach the pre determined spot for jumpers to leave. Also called jump run
	RW	Relative work- See FS

	S
	SKYDIVE U	Skydive University - a world-wide training system for formation skydiving
	SKYSURF	Skydiving on a surfboard
	SIT FLY	Freefalling in a sit position
	SLIDER	Device to slow down the deployment of ram air parachutes by gliding down the suspension lines
	S/L	Static Line - a deployment system for beginners (except AFF and tandem)
	SNIVEL	Abnormally slow canopy opening
	SPEED	A competition where jumpers build a formation as quickly as possible
	SPEED SKYDIVING	Competition where jumpers try to freefall as fast as possible, usually in a head-down dive position
	SPOT	Technically, the release point - the point you should exit the aircraft to reach the target
	SS1/2	Skysurfing qualification, grade 1 and 2
	STALL	When toggles are pulled down further than full brakes, causing the canopy to lose forward speed and collapse
	STAR	A basic FS formation, with 3 or more skydivers linked in a circle by their arms
	STACK	A group of canopies in the sky stacked vertically above each other
	STAND UP	Vertical freefall position, feet to earth, crucifix style. Also a type of landing
	STC	Safety and Training Committee (of the BPA). A sub-committee of Council, made up by CCIs who make appropriate decisions on safety and training
	STREAMER	When the main canopy has left the bag but not inflated at all. Also sometimes a slang name for a WDI
	STYLE	The execution of a specific set of freefall manoeuvres in the shortest possible time
	SWOOP	A high speed landing
	T
	TANDEM	(1) An introduction to skydiving by a Tandem Instructor, in which the student is strapped to the Instructors front, and conducts a free-fall descent from altitude, and a long canopy ride under a very large parachute, remaining attached throughout!! (2) Another name for the piggyback parachute system, in which the main and reserve canopies are in the same container
	THREE RING CIRCUS	Release mechanism for main canopy, attaches the risers to the harness
	THROW AWAY	Type of hand deployment where the pilot chute is packed externally in a spandex pocket
	TIME OUT	Audible altitude warning device
	TOGGLES	Steering loops on risers
	TOTAL	Malfunction where there is nothing out of the container
	TRACK	To move fast horizontally in freefall often to achieve separation from other jumpers
	TO	Technical Officer - an employee of the BPA responsible to Council for technical and overall running of the Association on a day-to-day basis
	TSO	Technical Safety Order - These are American FAA safety standards, but form the guidelines for much of parachute design
	U
	USPA	United States Parachute Association
	V
	VGATW	Very Good All the Way
	VFS	Vertical Formation Skydiving (sometimes called VRW - Vertical Relative Work)
	W
	WDI	The Wind Drift Indicator - a paper streamer used to predict canopy drift, and hence the OP. Also known as a Widdy or a streamer
	WIND LINE	A line through the target in the wind direction
	WIND TUNNEL	Freefall simulator for skydiving indoors
	Z
	ZEE-PEE	Zero-Porosity - Non permeable fabric used in modern very high performance canopies
	ZOO	A jump that didn’t go quite as planned!