Professional Skydiving Demonstrations

Mike’s professional skydiving demonstrations are one to remember forever! Imagine seeing the American flag or your company’s logo on a flag at your next event flown in by Mike! The attention that Mike brings with these demonstrations are extraordinary to say the least! Your event audience will be astounded at the capability that Mike demonstrates as a bilateral amputee skydiver!

What Does it take to become a Professional Skydiver?

The road to become a professional skydiver takes years to achieve for most people who are totally able-bodied! The United States Parachute Association (USPA) has strict guidelines and proficiency skills that must be met in order to be Rated as true Professional Skydiving Demonstrator!

Professional Exhibition (PRO) Ratings

The USPA PRO Rating qualifies skydivers for skydiving exhibitions into challenging landing areas. To earn the PRO rating, skydivers with a USPA D license must demonstrate landing skills with the parachute they plan to use for shows and receive training on how to use flags and pyrotechnic devices.

The PRO Rating is recognized by the FAA and serves as a certificate of proficiency to allow the rating holder to fly and land closer to crowds than jumpers who have not demonstrated these qualifications. PRO rating privileges are listed in the Skydiver’s Information Manual, Section 7-1. The standard PRO rating limits skydivers to wing-loadings of 1.5:1 and below. Those qualifying for an additional HP (High Performance) endorsement on their PRO rating allows wing-loadings greater than 1.5:1.

More details on the PRO rating are available in the Skydiver’s Information Manual, Section 7-2.

In short the USPA requires the following to be met to obtain a Professional Exhibition Rating:

USPA PRO Exhibition Ratings are issued to members who have, using the same model and size canopy, accomplished a series of ten consecutive (as declared) jumps into a 40 feet long by 20 feet wide target area. Each landing must be made standing up, the jumper must make the first contact and stop within the designated landing area. All qualification jumps must be made in the presence of an S&TA, Examiner, member of the USPA Board or USPA Judge. Except for the night jump requirement, the minimum 500 ram-air jump requirement, all training listed on this card must be made within the previous 12 months of the submission date of this application.

1. Receive instruction in use of and make one jump with aerial smoke.
2. Receive instruction in use of and make one jump with a flag.
3. Receive instruction in site preparation, crowd control, and ground crew management.
4. Serve as ground crew on at least one Level 1, Level 2, or stadium jump.
5. Receive instruction from an experienced PRO rating holder, S&TA, or IE on applying for FAA certificates of authorization.
6. Receive instruction from an experienced PRO rating holder, S&TA, IE, or licensed pilot in filing NOTAMs.
7. Two-night jumps.
8. Pass a written examination.

In addition to the strict, challenging, and skilled requirements that the USPA has set forth in the SIM, Mike had to apply for a waiver that allowed him to obtain his pro rating since he does not have legs. The SIM states to obtain a pro rating, one must, “make a series of 10 solo jumps with a stand-up landing into an area of 40 feet long by 20 feet wide…” Mike applied for a waiver for the stand up landing and met all of the other requirements and became the FIRST bilateral above-the-knee amputee to obtain his Professional Exhibition Rating, post amputation, a HUGE milestone in the skydiving community!

Mike Landing a Declared jump during his Professional Exhibition Rating Examination!