Progression vs. Proficiency Card

[propofol65 0]

What's the difference? Looks like the Prog Card is more specific in skills and seems to be one used for the tandem/SL students. I used the 4 pager (Prog) for my AFF program.

Utilizing the Prof Card doesn't list any Categories, so as a student, how do you know which level you are on? Is there a cross reference or is the card tailored to specific school's own AFF program?

[tdog 0]

There are two "yellow cards" in the sim.

They are designed for all the different progressions. Either, once completed, earns an A. The 2 page vs 4 page depends on school preference.

Are you asking - by reading the card - how can you tell if a student is on CAT C or CAT E, per the ISP? You can't. The logbook will tell you that.

This does yield the "teach to the card" versus "teach to the ISP." phenomenon. I know I have before, as a coach, looked at the card and designed a jump that would allow the signature blocks to become full instead of following a curriculum.

It all depends on the school and their program. Some are very specific and you will see in the log book "Completed Level XXX" or "Cleared to CAT XXX". Others are a less formal after AFF.... A coach will jump with a student, discover their workons, and target the workons.

I have to admit I like the informal "target workons" method better, assuming the coach has the ability to make a few jumps, so there is no redundancy in switching the instructors. If it is a "one night jump stand", having a specific program allows a new coach to pickup where the last left off - ignoring the fact some students need work in some areas while others have already proved work in others, which a good coach can tell in one jump where to spend the time with the student. So - allowing instructors to "jump around" in the program, completing the card in an order logical for the student's needs, is a nice thing.

I know one student who needed many jumps to get tracking completed. I know another student on his first jump after AFF, turned 12 legitimate RW points, working on outfacing on the second jump, all with two other AFF instructors, while remaining altitude aware, tracking like hell, etc. After a few of these RW jumps (some with linked exits, others diving) his in-air proficiency skills were all signed off because he was outjumping someone with 50 jumps. He was a natural, we did not need to go as slow as the ISP. Target the workons method worked.