Safety
USPA establishes and maintains programs to enhance skydiving safety, primarily though a licensing program by which skydivers gain knowledge and skill. USPA has developed courses through which qualified, experienced skydivers can earn coach and instructor ratings. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) formally recognizes USPA's successful leadership role in the self-regulation of skydiving.
The USPA Basic Safety Requirements contained in the USPA Skydiver's Information Manual comprise the cornerstone of USPA's approach to skydiving safety. The BSRs establish safety standards for the skydiving community, such as minimum parachute deployment altitudes, maximum ground winds and landing area sizes.
Each year on the second Saturday in March, USPA promotes USPA Safety Day, encouraging all drop zones and skydivers to participate. Jumpers set aside this one day each year to review safety procedures and practice their responses to aircraft and skydiving emergencies.
Government Relations
The association represents skydivers before all levels of government, the public, the media and the aviation industry. USPA interacts with federal, state and local government officials, including those of the FAA, the Transportation Security Administration, the U.S. Congress, state transportation departments and aviation agencies and state legislators. USPA monitors and evaluates new legislation to assess the possible impact on skydiving.
USPA communicates with pilots, airport managers, airport businesses and air traffic controllers to improve their understanding of skydiving operations and to promote the safe integration of skydiving into the national airspace system.
Additionally, USPA participates in many aviation working groups, coalitions and councils that gather in and around Washington, D.C. USPA continually works to establish and maintain the interests of skydivers with regulatory, airspace and airport access issues.
USPA wins
Competition
USPA supports and promotes skydiving competition and skydiving records. USPA-issued skydiving licenses are recognized internationally through the International Parachuting Commission of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale, which oversees all air sports.
USPA sanctions national competitions, selects the U.S. Parachute Team for world competitions and administers the U.S. Parachute Team Trust Fund. USPA has also hosted several world cups and world championships in the U.S.
Licenses
The Federation Aeronautique Internationale in Lausanne, Switzerland, oversees all air sports. Through the FAI's International Parachuting Commission, FAI member countries have agreed to standards for issuing skydiving certificates of proficiency, commonly referred to as skydiving licenses.
As a division of the the National Aeronautical Association, FAI's national aeroclub in the U.S., USPA issues skydiving licenses. Skydivers may earn progressively more advanced licenses as they gain proficiency and experience.
Publications
Parachutist, the world's largest and most widely read and distributed skydiving publication, is published monthly by USPA and mailed to all regular members and Group Member drop zones. USPA also publishes a variety of manuals for training, competition, ratings and governance, available for sale or download or both.
USPA periodically publishes and mails two electronic newsletters, one for drop zone operators and one for USPA Safety & Training Advisors and USPA rating holders.
Each year, USPA publishes a calendar, collecting the year's best photographs of skydiving in the U.S. and around the world.
Board Committees
To conduct business efficiently, USPA’s Board of Directors uses the committee system. Board members are selected to chair and staff the committees, which make formal recommendations for consideration by the full board. USPA’s standing committees are:
Competition
Constitution & By-Laws
Finance and Budget
Group Membership
Membership Services
Nominations & Elections
Safety & Training
USPA Headquarters Staff
The USPA staff is focused on providing optimum member service. To do so, the staff is divided among departments, each assigned with specific duties:
Headquarters Management
Membership Services
Safety & Training
Government Relations
Group Membership
Communications
Competition and Special Projects