Airport Access

USPA’s mission includes ensuring “skydiving’s rightful place on airports and in the airspace system.” Group Member drop zones can reach out to the government relations department for help with issues ranging from miscommunication to litigation assistance (at USPA’s discretion).

Pic: David Cherry

Skydiving at Federally Funded Airports

For the purposes of this article, “public" airports refer to airports that receive federal Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants.

In short, public airports:

1. Cannot discriminate against skydiving as an aeronautical activity.
2. Cannot set unattainable standards for skydiving operations.

In detail,

One must first obtain permission from airport management before jumping onto an airport.

Public airports agree to operate the airport under certain conditions (“grant assurances”). Some of these assurances include not discriminating against classes of aeronautical activity.

The FAA considers skydiving a valid aeronautical activity, and only the FAA has authority to restrict skydiving at public airports. Public airports that discriminate against skydiving risk violating their grant assurances and possibly losing federal funding.

Airport Access & Defense Fund

USPA maintains the Airport Access and Defense Fund. Donate today.

At USPA’s discretion, USPA typically uses this fund when two conditions are met:

1. A public airport appears to discriminate against skydiving operations in violation of their federal grant assurances.
2. Local legal action could have a wider impact on skydiving in the U.S.

Supporting Documents

• FAA Order 5190.6B details an airport’s obligations with respect to skydiving and other aeronautical activities.
• Advisory Circular 150/5190-6 clarifies the prohibition of “granting exclusive rights” at public (federally funded) airports. A public airport that prohibits parachute operations without the agreement of the FAA may violate their grant assurances.
• Advisory Circular 150/5190-7 clarifies minimum airport standards for each type of aeronautical activity. A public airport that sets drop zone insurance requirements which are unattainable in the market may violate their grant assurances.

Recent FAA Support

• Nashville, TN, 2025 – Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority determined to be in violation of its Grant Assurances; FAA director sides with USPA and Go Skydive America, recommends withholding future funding until FAA approves a corrective action plan.
• Mokuleia, HI, 2020 – FAA reminds the state of Hawaii of their Grant Assurances; State of Hawaii delays and ultimately rescinds hangar vacation notice.