Xceed the standard.
USPA instructor rating courses taught by a dream team of examiners, brought right to your home dropzone.
You want your certification. You also demand Xcellence.
Keep pushing yourself to Xcel beyond the average.
Our dream team of eXaminers brings Xtensive training, Xhilarating courses and Xemplary content, with the latest in education and training right to your home dropzone.
Earning an instructional rating?
Apply to be a Sharp Scholar.
Dr. Jen Sharp Memorial Scholarship
awarded in 2026, our biggest year yet.
Earn multiple ratings in one trip with our Super Course.
Learn moreCourses
Pick your rating
Everything about each course in one place: what it is, what you need, the price and the next dates.
USPA Coach
The first step into instruction.
The entry-level USPA instructional rating. Learn to teach, coach group freefall skills and run safe, effective jumps with newer skydivers.
What you need
- Current USPA membership
- B license and 100+ jumps
- Coach proficiency card topics signed off
- Pass the pre-course exam (80%)
- Current SIM and IRM
AFF Instructor
Pre-course and rating course, start to finish.
Our pre-course sharpens your air skills and ground preps, then the rating course covers the AFF method, briefings and air evaluations with examiners who've done it thousands of times.
What you need
- Age 18+
- USPA C license
- Coach or Instructor rating 12+ months, or 500+ jumps
- 6 hours of freefall
- AFF proficiency card and AFF evaluation complete
- Current SIM and IRM
Tandem Instructor
UPT Sigma, Paradigm and Firebird.
Manufacturer course plus the USPA Tandem Instructor rating. Learn to take first-time students safely through the USPA Tandem Progression method.
What you need
- Age 18+
- USPA D license
- 50 jumps in the last 12 months
- Coach, instructor or jumpmaster rating
- 4 hours of freefall and one cutaway
- Current FAA Class III medical or equivalent
Static Line & IAD Instructor
Train first-jump students.
Teach first-jump courses and run static line or instructor-assisted deployment student programs. Earn one rating or both in the same trip.
What you need
- Age 18+
- Hold or have held a Coach or Instructor rating
- USPA C license and 200+ jumps
- SL / IAD proficiency card complete
- Current SIM and IRM
Examiner Rating Course
Train the people who train the students.
A three-day, all-ground course tailored to the examiner rating you're pursuing. The ground requirement on the path to becoming a USPA Examiner.
What you need
- Current USPA instructor rating
- 100 student training jumps in the method
- 10 ground and 10 air evaluations
- Tandem: 100 tandem jumps
- SL / IAD: 25 dispatches in the method
USPA PRO Rating
Demo jumps in front of a crowd.
Prepare for exhibition jumps into stadiums and events. One day of academics and two of jumping, including simulated demo jumps.
What you need
- Current USPA membership
- USPA D license
- 500+ ram-air jumps
- 10-jump accuracy series inside 10 meters
- Pass the PRO exam (75%)
Basic Canopy Course
Fly and land with confidence.
Canopy selection and wing loading, flight characteristics, flare, pattern, accuracy, flat turns, crosswind landings, riser work and emergency procedures.
What you need
- Cleared for self-supervision
- Ideal before your B license or as a refresher
And more, including
Xtra programs for your whole DZ
Safety & Educational Seminars
Custom seminars for your DZ staff and jumpers.
$200+ per dayTeam Culture & Leadership
Workshops that build a stronger, safer DZ team.
$200+ per dayRW Camps
About 15 coached jumps over three days.
$150 per dayPre-Course Mentoring
Get ready before your rating course.
$100 half day, $175 full dayEvaluator Training
Examiner candidacy apprenticeship.
Call for detailsFree consultation to build or improve your student program, plus Instructor and Student book packages.
Learn more
Why Xcel
We come to you.
We travel to more than 50 dropzones a season. Why buy a plane ticket? Train at the DZ you already know and split the travel cost with your teammates.
We don't just meet the standards, we Xceed them. We teach you how to teach.
Graduates
What they say
“The very best are completely unforgiving on standards and effort, while also giving you every tool and opportunity to be successful. I would happily add Mike to my personal list of the very best.”
“The level of integrity Micheal Wadkins brings to our sport is unsurpassed in the industry. His enthusiasm makes you want to take his courses over and over again.”
“My mind was blown with the amount of information, excitement, humor, and professionalism provided.”
“As an owner of a small drop zone, Mike is my first choice to train our upcoming jumpers into Coaches and Instructors.”
“I cannot say enough about Xcelskydiving for your DZ's or personal improvement and development.”
“He not only knows the material but teaches the candidates how to teach, a very rare gift. He and his team exude professionalism, courtesy and humility.”
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Our partners
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