About Government Relations

Oversight of skydiving involves multiple entities, most notably including the USPA, and the FAA.

The mission of the Federal Aviation Administration is to provide the safest, most efficient aviation system in the world. They regulate aspects of skydiving and rely on the self-regulation of the participants through the guidelines and recommendations published by USPA. The FAA's main responsibility is to provide for the safety of air traffic, as well as persons and property on the ground. The FAA does this by certificating pilots, mechanics, air traffic controllers and parachute riggers and by requiring approval data for aircraft and parachutes. The agency has the authority to impose fines and suspend or revoke certificates it has issued. In the case of a skydiving violation, the FAA can fine the pilot, rigger, jumpers, as well as suspend or revoke the certificates of pilots and riggers.

The FAA and USPA rely on self-regulation from within the skydiving community for most training and operational requirements.

Government Relations

The Government Relations Department at USPA Headquarters addresses member and group member questions regarding aircraft, airport access, the FAA, legislative issues, TSA, or security issues.

(540) 604-9740 ext. 3320
govrelations@uspa.org

View FARs in the online SIM

USPA In Action

One-third of USPA's mission directly involves Government Relations, namely to ensure skydiving’s rightful place on airports and in the airspace system, which includes protecting the sport and the industry. Often, USPA In Action involves prevention of harmful action. Here is a sample of the wins USPA has for skydiving!

Another ATC Win for Skydiving!

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Less than 24 hours after members of USPA and other general aviation groups began contacting their Congressional Representatives, House Transportation Committee Chairman Bill Shuster has withdrawn his surprise amendment to the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill that would have removed air traffic control from the FAA and placed it within the U.S. Department of Transportation, to be overseen by a new, airline-oriented board of directors. Shuster introduced the amendment late on April 23, in anticipation of a House vote within days. But the general aviation community caught wind of the legislative maneuver and immediately began asking their members to contact Congress to oppose the move. USPA emailed an action call to members in the early evening of April 24. The action calls worked and it now appears that the needed FAA funding bill will pass without changes to the structure of air traffic control. “Once again, we thank our members who made the calls in defense of skydiving’s airspace needs,” said USPA Executive Director Ed Scott.

Air Traffic Control and Skydiving Again Face Threat!

USPA AAD Fund Supports Part 16 Win