Jump Pilots: Connect with USPA

Sign up to receive the latest news and information about jump operations. By signing up, you agree to receive information from USPA about jump aircraft operations, including the monthly USPA Professional e-newsletter that is sent to other skydiving professionals such as drop zone operators, USPA rating holders, USPA Safety & Training Advisors and USPA judges. Welcome to the team! Your information will only be used for this purpose. There is no fee and you may unsubscribe at any time by using the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the emails. View USPA's Privacy Policy.

Share the Air

USPA’s Be Aware Share the Air Campaign is an attempt to help all pilots identify and avoid active parachute locations. USPA Group Members will receive a copy of both posters with their 2024 Group Membership renewal packet. DZOs, Jumpers, and Pilots are encouraged to print off extra copies and place around their airport, local FBOs, or flights schools.

Be Aware Share the Air Flyer (PDF)
Be Aware Share the Air Flyer (Large 16x20 PDF)
Skydiver Hood Ornament (JPG)
Skydiver Hood Ornament (Large 16x20 PDF)

DZ Marketing Tools

Drop zones can get positive media coverage by inviting local news outlets to attend DZ events and by providing information about the sport and the drop zone. DZs can tailor these template materials with their own information.

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Aircraft Modifications

Jump plane modifications that are not specifically described in the Aircraft Flight Manual must be accomplished by FAA issuance of either a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) or a Field Approval. For $100 ($200 for non-members), USPA sells STCs for jump conversions of original and early model Cessna 170, 172, 180, and 182 aircraft. These STCs accommodate the removal of the door, not an in-flight door. E-mail the Government Relations department at govrelations@uspa.org or call (540) 604-9740.

USPA In Action

Orange Skies Reopens in Colorado

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Orange Skies Free Fall Center launched its opening weekend at Fort Morgan Municipal Airport in Colorado April 20-21.

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USPA AAD Fund Supports Part 16 Win

Monday, April 1, 2019

During its recent meeting in Dallas, the USPA Board of Directors voted to support a major airport-access win for skydiving by Luther Kurtz, DZO of Phoenix Area Skydiving in Casa Grande, Arizona, under Part 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Kurtz will receive a $24,156.76 as a reimbursement for a share of his legal expenses through the Airport Access and Defense Fund. Details about the case are available in the article “DZO Wins Part 16 Appeal” on page 16 in the February issue of Parachutist.

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Another ATC Win for Skydiving!

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

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.

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Air Traffic Control and Skydiving Again Face Threat!

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

This proposal would pull ATC out of the FAA and move it to the U.S. Department of Transportation, where a new Management Advisory Council, populated with airline interests, would serve as the ATC board of directors.

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Chairman Drops Push to Privatize ATC

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Late Tuesday night, the chairman of the House Transportation Committee announced that he was dropping his push to privatize air traffic control. Opposition by general aviation users, including members of USPA, prevented the idea from getting any traction within Congress.

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FAA Regulations and Guidance

Review applicable regulations for conducting parachute operations, see historical and current FAA guidance and read about airport access. Also available are FAA Advisory Circulars “Recommended Standard Traffic Patterns and Practices for Aeronautical Operations at Airports without Operating Control Towers” and “Sport Parachuting,” along with the FAA regulatory requirements for ATC Notification and Authorization and FAA inspector guidance for DZs.

DZO & Pilot Resources

USPA Joins GA Groups Opposed to ATC Privatization

Monday, June 5, 2017

USPA today joined a host of powerhouse general aviation associations in a joint letter to President Trump expressing concerns for his administration’s proposal to remove air traffic control from the Federal Aviation Administration and hand it over to a private, non-profit corporation. President Trump made the announcement this morning in a press event at the White House. The privatization plan is supported by the major airlines but opposed by virtually every general aviation group—from pilots to aircraft owners and aircraft manufacturers, flight schools, repair shops, charter companies and business aviation users—and skydivers. As described by the President, new user fees would be enacted for the privatized ATC, replacing the current aviation fuel taxes that jump operators currently pay toward the ATC system. Every jump flight is required to be in communication with ATC, and USPA is concerned that a per-flight user fee would increase the cost of skydiving. Moreover, jump flights currently enjoy the FAA ATC’s required “first-come, first-served” mandate, which is likely to disappear if ATC is privatized.

USPA Acts to Prevent ATC Privatization USPA Call to Action: Oppose ATC Privatization