What Does it Mean to be a USPA Skydiving Center?






If you're new to skydiving, you might not have heard of the United States Parachute Association (USPA). The USPA is recognized as the primary organization overseeing skydiving in the U.S., with both the FAA and Department of Transportation relying on its guidelines and recommendations for the sport’s self-regulation. It's worth noting that skydiving centers aren't required to be USPA members, which makes a clear distinction between those that are affiliated with the USPA and those that are not.
SO WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A USPA DROPZONE?
Being designated as a USPA Group Member dropzone means that a skydiving center agrees to follow the ethical and operational guidelines established by the USPA. This commitment includes the following responsibilities:
- Adhering to the USPA Basic Safety Requirements (BSRs), which ensure compliance with relevant Federal Aviation Regulations and Transport Canada Aviation Regulations for skydiving operations, including aircraft use.
- Ensuring that all pilots involved in parachute operations hold at least a commercial pilot certificate and a second-class medical certificate.
- Making sure that aircraft used for parachute operations meet the commercial maintenance standards outlined in the Canadian Aviation Regulations 702 for Aerial Work operations.
- Guaranteeing that the skydiving staff at the dropzone are properly trained and qualified in accordance with the Skydiver’s Information Manual, and, where necessary, hold valid USPA ratings suited to their roles.
- Implementing and displaying landing procedures that provide clear separation for high-speed and normal landings, with communication to all jumpers at the dropzone.
- Supporting USPA promotional initiatives at the dropzone.
- Requiring all U.S. skydivers cleared for self-supervision, as well as non-resident foreign nationals without proof of membership in their national aeroclub, to hold temporary or regular USPA memberships."
Interested in making your first tandem skydive? Read all about what to expect and frequently asked questions here.
WHY WE CHOSE THE USPA
We chose to align with the United States Parachute Association (USPA) because it offers the perfect balance of affordability and quality. As the largest skydiving organization in the world, the USPA sets the industry standard for safety, ensuring the highest level of protection for our jumpers and staff.
Most importantly, USPA licenses and ratings are internationally recognized, giving our skydivers the freedom to jump anywhere in the world, year-round, without the need for additional certifications. This global recognition is key to providing our jumpers with the flexibility and confidence to pursue their passion wherever they go. When our jumpers choose to take everything they've learned at Airborne Petawawa and skydive elsewhere, perhaps to pursue employment in this exciting industry, their ratings are recognized, allowing them to seamlessly ingratiate themselves into their new place of work.
OUR ROLE AS A USPA MEMBER DROPZONE
We are committed to fostering a culture of safety that exceeds the standards set by the USPA. While our company has a long-standing history, we remain vigilant against complacency, always striving to improve. We understand that our reputation is defined by the quality of our most recent operations, and we take pride in maintaining the highest level of safety every day.