About USPA

Overview

The United States Parachute Association is a membership association by, for, and about skydivers—that is, people who intentionally jump from aircraft. USPA Headquarters is at 5401 Southpoint Centre Blvd., Fredericksburg, Virginia 22407. E-mail USPA; telephone (540) 604-9740; or fax (540) 604-9741.

USPA is a voluntary organization of individual skydivers and the group member "drop zones," or skydiving centers, where they jump. The association is incorporated in New York and follows the constitution and by-laws contained in the USPA Governance Manual. USPA members elect the association's leadership from among themselves.

The Federal Aviation Administration recognizes USPA's successful leadership role in the self-regulation of skydiving. The association represents skydivers before government, the public, and the aviation industry.

USPA supports and promotes skydiving competition and provides recommendations for skydiving training and instructional rating programs. USPA-issued skydiving licenses are recognized internationally through the International Parachuting Commission of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale, which oversees all air sports.

Back to top

More than 250 USPA Group Member "drop zones," or parachute jumping businesses, worldwide have pledged to follow USPA's Basic Safety Requirements. USPA Group Member skydiving schools pledge to offer skydiving training taught and supervised by USPA-rated staff. USPA Group Member centers also agree to maintain unobstructed landing areas to accommodate all levels of skydiving experience.

Back to top

USPA interacts with federal, state and local government officials, including those of the Federal Aviation Administration, the Transportation Security Administration, the U.S. Congress, state transportation departments, 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 skydivers' rights and interests in using airports, airspace, and government services (like air traffic control).

Back to top

More and more, USPA members rely on USPA to preserve public airports and airways for skydiving. Growing aviation needs, difficult economic conditions, and national security interests continuously present challenges for a small group like skydivers to maintain access.

In 1991, USPA established the Airport Access and Defense Fund (AAD Fund) to further the efforts of the association and its members to maintain or gain equal access to airspace and federally funded airports in the U.S. The funds may also be used by the association in efforts to prevent or remove government actions or taxation that affect skydiving and its related activities. Limited financial assistance may be provided to offset a portion of a member's legal expenses in a qualifying concern.

Donate by phone:
Call the Assistant Director of Government Relations at 1-800-371-USPA x326.

Donate by mail:
U.S. Parachute Association
Attn: AAD Fund
5401 Southpoint Centre Blvd.
Fredericksburg, VA 22407

Donate with annual membership:
It's easy to add on a few dollars with each year's membership renewal. Check the box and fill in the blank with your donation or include your donation with the online membership application.

Back to top

USPA's role in government relations has grown over the years alongside the increased overall demand for priority in the nation's aviation system. Although small, USPA has on many occasions successfully represented the interests of skydivers and established skydiving as a recognized aeronautical activity, entitled to equal access to airports and airspace. Click here to see examples.

Back to top

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.

Back to top

USPA establishes and maintains programs to enhance skydiving safety. The USPA Basic Safety Requirements contained in the USPA Skydiver's Information Manual comprise the cornerstone of USPA's approach to skydiving safety.

USPA's elected Regional Directors appoint at least one USPA Safety & Training Advisor to each recognized skydiving location. Each S&TA maintains a direct link to the Regional Director and USPA Headquarters and administers various USPA programs in the field.

S&TAs confirm jumper qualifications for USPA skydiving licenses, ratings, and awards; assist in accident investigation, and advise drop zone management and USPA regarding safety program management and compliance.

Each year on the second Saturday in March, USPA promotes USPA Safety Day, encouraging all drop zones to participate. Jumpers set aside this one day each year to review safety procedures and practice their responses to aircraft and skydiving emergencies.

Back to top

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.

Back to top

USPA's leadership begins with its members who elect a 22-member USPA Board of Directors to represent their interests. The board members, who work without compensation for the members, hire an executive director, who in turn hires a staff. The executive director and the staff work at USPA Headquarters in Fredericksburg, Virginia, alongside many other professional and membership associations that need quick access to Capitol Hill in Washington.

The USPA Board is comprised of eight national directors and 14 regional directors. The regional directors are elected from the members in the region where they reside. The regional directors appoint at least one USPA Safety & Training Advisor for each recognized skydiving location.

Back to top

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 owners and one for USPA Safety & Training Advisors.

Each year, USPA publishes a calendar, collecting the year's best photographs of skydiving in the U.S. and around the world.

Back to top

Join USPA by calling (540) 604-9740 with a valid VISA or MasterCard; downloading a membership application and faxing it to (540) 604-9741; or join now online! You don't need to be a skydiver to become a USPA member.

Back to top