Subchapter D--Airmen

Part 61--Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors
Part 65--Certification: Airmen other than Flight Crewmembers

Subchapter F--Air Traffic and Operating Rules

Part 91--General Operating and Flight Rules
Part 105--Parachute Operations

Subchapter G--Air Carriers and Commercial Operators for Compensation or Hire: Certification and Operations

Part 119--Certification: Air Carriers and Commercial Operators

AC No: 90-66A--Recommended Standard Traffic Patterns and Practices for Aeronautical Operations at Airports without Operating Control Towers
AC No: 91-45C, Waivers: Aviation Events - Chapter 6: Waiver Provisions
AC No: 105-2C

December 1995
July 2004

Summary

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation has the responsibility for regulating airspace usage in the United States. Concerning skydiving activities, the FAA fulfills this responsibility by specifically regulating certain aspects of skydiving and by relying upon 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, and the jumpers, as well as suspend or revoke the certificates of pilots and riggers.

The FAA relies upon self policing from within the skydiving community for most training and operational requirements.