United States Parachute Association > Drop Zone Management > Federal Aviation Regulations
Menu
  1. First-Time & Student Skydivers
  2. Experienced Skydivers
  3. Rating Holders and S&TAs
  4. Drop Zone Management
  5. About USPA

Air Traffic Control Notification Or Authorization

Federal Aviation Regulation Part 105.25 requires that ATC be notified no earlier than 24 hours before or no later than one hour before the parachute operation begins in Class E and G airspace. Jumps in Class A, B, C and D airspace require an authorization from ATC.

Part 105.25(c) states that ATC may accept written notification for 12 calendar months, precluding the need for daily notification. Part 105.15 stipulates the eight items that must be provided in an ATC notification or authorization. Included here are model letters that can be customized to provide your ATC facility with that written notification of your use of Class E and G airspace, or request ATC authorization to use Class A, B, C or D airspace. ATC notification or request for ATC authorization does not result in the publishing of a NOTAM. You should still file a daily NOTAM with Flight Service if your DZ is not published in the Airport/Facility Directory and charted with a parachute symbol.

Download model letter for ATC Notification.
Download model letter for ATC Authorization.

AC105-2E

Sport Parachuting
This advisory circular (AC) provides suggestions to improve the safety of skydives that are conducted in compliance with Part 105, Parachute Operations. It also contains information for skydivers and riggers on parachute equipment, on- and off-airport parachute operations, jump pilot training, aircraft maintenance, and parachute rigging. ATC notifications, jump doors, and the use of restraint systems are also addressed.

AC90-66C

Recommended Standard Traffic Patterns and Practices for Aeronautical Operations at Airports without Operating Control Towers
Pilots use this advisory circular for guidance when flying in the airport traffic pattern.

FAA 7711-2 Instructions

Parachute demonstration or exhibitions jumps conducted into aviation events, congested areas on the surface, or open-air assemblies, require an FAA Certificate of Authorization to be issued by the FAA Flight Standards District Office with jurisdiction where the jump(s) will occur. FAA Form 7711-2, the application for that authorization, and the attachment for skydiving demonstration jumps can be found on the FAA and USPA websites. Submit both the application and the attachment to the FSDO after completing the form using the instructions.

Regulatory Status

In 1993, the FAA issued a combined bulletin that clarified that jump planes can carry a number of skydivers that may exceed the number of seats or passengers than that stated by the aircraft’s type design certificate, as long as weight and balance limits are observed. Though the bulletins carry an expiration date, technically the information does not expire and has been incorporated within FAA policy. These bulletins were FSAW 93-09 (Flight Standards Information Bulletin for Airworthiness) and FSGA 93-02 (Flight Standards Information Bulletin for General Aviation).

Download bulletin for Airworthiness and General Aviation.

Formation Flight

In 1992, USPA succeeded in gaining a letter from the office of FAA’s Chief Counsel which reversed a previous finding that skydiving aircraft could not fly in formation when dropping jumpers. As a result, FAA policy is that jump pilots can fly in formation without violating Section 91.111(c) that prohibits formation flights when carrying passengers for hire.

Download a copy of the letter regarding formation flight.

Dynamic Regulatory System (DRS)

Dynamic Regulatory System (DRS) consolidates a broad range of FAA source material for easy use by all aeronautical users.

Air Traffic Facility

Chapter 19, Section 4—Parachute Jump Operations provides direction and guidance for the day-to-day operation of facilities and offices under the administrative jurisdiction of the Federal Aviation Administration's Air Traffic Organization.

Air Traffic Control

Chapter 9, Section 7—Parachute Operations prescribes air traffic control procedures and phraseology for use by persons providing air traffic control services.

Air Traffic Bulletins

Bulletins are published by FAA to brief air traffic controllers on specific issues. These two bulletins clarify how air traffic controllers should handle parachute operations.

December 1995—Parachute Jumping and July 2004—Parachute Operations

Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) are the rules that govern aviation activities. The FARs outline the FAA requirements for skydivers, pilots and parachute riggers and are available for convenience in the Skydiver's Information Manual, Section 9: FAA Documents.

Part 61—Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors and Ground Instructors
This section establishes the qualifications and requirements for certificates and ratings, along with the privileges and limitations.

Part 65—Certification: Airmen other than Flight Crewmembers
Parachute riggers receive certification through this regulation.

Part 91—General Operating and Flight Rules
Flight operations for skydiving operations are conducted under Part 91.

Part 105—Parachute Operations
This section prescribes the rules governing parachute operations.

Part 119—Certification: Air Carriers and Commercial Operators
This section covers requirements for certification and operation of commercial operators; Section 119.1(e)(6) exempts parachute operations when flown within 25 miles of the airport.

The FAA and USPA rely on self-regulation from within the skydiving community for most training and operational requirements.
The following resources can keep you up to date on the latest regulation and provide guidance for your activities:

PARACHUTIST
USPA STORE

USPA      5401 Southpoint Centre Blvd., Fredericksburg, VA, 22407     (540) 604-9740    M-F 9am-5pm Eastern    (540) 604-9741     uspa@uspa.org

Terms Of UsePrivacy StatementCopyright 2024 by United States Parachute Association
Your Source for all things Skydiving in the U.S.
Back To Top