The discipline with the most codified and rigorous progression — rightly so, given the risk profile. In serious schools the sequence is: basic canopy course → incremental wing-loading with advanced canopy course → first 90° swoop at moderate loading → rotation progression (270° → 450° → 630°) → competition.
Full-speed canopy work. Approach rotations (90°, 270°, 450°) extract kinetic energy to trace precise corridors — distance, speed, accuracy, freestyle. FAI competition uses 75-90 sqft elliptical canopies at high wing loadings. Highest risk profile among civilian disciplines: produces fatalities every year even among experienced athletes.
Crossbraced elliptical canopies (Peregrine, Petra, Leia, Valkyrie) at 2.0-3.0 wing loading. RSL typically disconnected in competition. Minimum 1,500 m deployment for recovery margin.
ENAC and USPA impose official progressions: B-license for basic canopy course, C-license + advanced canopy course for intro swoop, D-license for competition. Wing loadings >1.7 only after 500+ documented jumps.
Basic canopy course is mandatory pre-swoop. Learn progressive flare, braking, front-riser turns, first flat swoops at wing loading <1.2.
Move to base elliptical canopy (Sabre 2, Pilot 150-170) at wing loading 1.3-1.5. Not yet swoop — consolidation of position and advanced piloting.
Real CP entry threshold. Do the advanced course (PRO, Ben Lowe, etc.), 50-100 90° jumps consolidating turn timing.
Wing loading 1.7-2.0. Enters "serious swoop canopy" territory. Requires minimum 500+ total jumps and documented track record.
CP circuit entry (Italian Championship or European Cup). Typically requires crossbraced canopies (Peregrine, Petra, Leia), wing loading 2.3+, 1,000+ CP-specific jumps.