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!

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. "Thanks go to all those USPA members who made the phone calls and wrote the emails and letters," said USPA Executive Director Ed Scott. "Your actions helped safeguard skydiving's access to the aviation system.

USPA Call to Action: Oppose ATC Privatization (Updated 10-3)

Air Traffic Control and Skydiving Again Face Threat!

USPA 5401 Southpoint Centre Blvd., Fredericksburg, VA, 22407 (540) 604-9740 M-F 9am-5pm Eastern (540) 604-9741 uspa@uspa.org

Your Source for all things Skydiving in the U.S.