PAC method
Progression Accompagnée en Chute
Accelarated Freefall Formation

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For a newcomer who starts skydiving it is possible to do his first jump from 4 000 meters accompanied by PAC-instructors. The beginner is accompanied by two instructors on the first couple of jumps (sometimes just the first one), and later by only one instructor when the student masters the stable position.

The instructors are not expected to physicly assist the student but to help him find the position that suits him. They guide him, using predefined gestures. Of course, the instructors can physically intervene when the student has trouble finding his stable position back.

During the first exit, the two instructors hold the student by his legs and arms to help him taking the stable position from the very moment he leaves the plane. After this, one instructor will be sufficient. From then on, the student will exit alone having the instructor nearby during the whole jump.

The first exits will be flat on the air to discover the stable freefall position. The following exits will be in different positions (head down, sitting, doing a front loop...) according to the sensations the instructor would like the student to discover.

Verbal communication is not possible in freefall. Therefore hand signs are used, like the ones scuba-divers use, in order for the student to be able to correct his position during the jump. These signs have to be defined in advance.

Every instructor is free to use the signs he wants, but most of the time they are standard ones. Here are the principal signs which are used :

• hand strectched out, flat (hips down, arch)
• two fingers stretched out (stretch the legs, pushing on the air)
• index-finger and thumb narrowing (close up the legs)
• the two fingers bent (bend the legs a bit, too stretched)
• thumb and index finger make a circle (check altimeter, observation cycle)
• index finger pointing at the student (PULL ! imperious)
• closed fist (simulate the opening )

The observation cycle is a check-list which the student performs in freefall. It consists of :

• verification of de position (hips, arms, legs, head)
• check altimeter
• check left instructor (possible corrections)
• check right instructor (possible corrections)

This way the student becomes aware of his body position and his position in space. He checks the altimeter and responds to the corrections the instructors could give him.

The observation cycle will then be followed by the simulation of the opening, where the student finds the place of the ripcord and exercises in making the gesture without loosing his stable poition.

The PAC method provides a teaching, adapted to the individual. On the contrairy, the AFF method (Accelerated FreeFall) has a predefined program (7 levels which one has to pass or do again).

The student discovers new sensations on every jump. For each new jump, the instructor puts together an adapted exercise. There is no failure, but a series of experiences corresponding to the students' capacities and what he has understood and felt.

This way, some start with free exits and the games like sitting or being on the back from the first jumps on to feel the different sensations, while others start with the classical exercises as movements around the three axes. The jump program is put together based on the dialogue between the instructor and the student.