The Category System

After you have completed your first parachute descent, you are in the position to take it up as a hobby and progress on to freefall.The British Parachute Association has produced a teaching method called The Category System which is a structured set of briefings designed to teach you the basics and guide you to the level of intermediate solo skydiver  (Category 8) in as few as 18 jumps.

Broken down as follows:

Category 1
Has received a minimum of 6 hours ground training and has been cleared to make a 1st static line parachute descent

Category 2
Has demonstrated the ability to fall in a stable position counting throughout.

Category 3
Has demonstrated the ability to perform 3 consecutive stable Dummy Ripcord pulls, counting a maintaining a positive arch throughout.

Category 4
Has demonstrated the ability to perform 2 consecutive stable delayed openings , counting throughout, of between 3 and 5 seconds.

Category 5
Has demonstrated the ability to perform 2 consecutive stable delayed openings of 10 seconds, maintaining a heading and counting throughout.

Category 6
Has demonstrated the ability to perform the following:-
2 consecutive delayed openings of 15 seconds.
Use an altimeter in free fall.

Category 7
Has demonstrated the ability to perform controlled 360˚ turns in both direction.

Category 8
Has demonstrated the ability to perform the following
An unstable exit
A dive exit
Back loops
Tracks (horizontal movement in freefall), including a track turn as an avoidance manoeuvre.
A back loop, 360˚ left turn, 360˚ right turn, a short track and wave off, from a minimum altitude of 8000 ft AGL. (Above ground level)

(The above information was taken from the British Parachute Association Operations Manual)

After you qualify Category 8, what is the next step?

What is the next step after newly qualifying category 8?