Getting Involved With the United States Parachute Association
Getting involved with the United States Parachute Association (USAPA) is a great way to stay current on the latest news and developments in the sport of Skydiving. Not only will you be part of a larger group of people who love to jump, but you’ll also be able to meet others who share your interest. You’ll also receive valuable information about the history of the sport, how to find a Dropzone, and more.
History
Founded in Mineola, New York in 1946, the United States Parachute Association (USPA) is the national governing body for skydiving in the United States. It also serves as an advising organization, setting guidelines to maintain safety in the sport. It has over 40 thousand members.
A few years after World War I, military forces began using parachutes to allow their aircraft crews to quickly get behind enemy lines. The United States and other countries soon started dropping soldiers behind enemy lines. The first known active parachute was made by Stefan Banic in 1913. Eventually, new designs would be created and the use of parachutes for military purposes would increase.
During World War II, large airborne forces were trained to conduct surprise attacks. Foremost among these groups were the 11th Airborne Division, which rescued over two hundred prisoners from the Philippines.
Membership
Founded in 1946, the United States Parachute Association (USPA) is a nonprofit membership organization with more than 40,000 individual members and more than 230 affiliated skydiving centers. USPA membership is open to military, commercial, and recreational skydivers alike. Its mission is to promote safe and responsible skydiving in the United States.
The USPA may be the only national skydiving organization, but its membership spans the globe. In 2021, 22% of USPA members were foreigners. Most members live across the country and beyond. The organization boasts the largest membership of any of the major international skydiving associations. The United States Parachute Association also monitors federal aviation regulations, promotes safer skydiving, and facilitates skydiving competitions.
The USPA’s main offices are located in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The organization is active in 14 regions.
Skydiving
During the past decade, one person per 500,000 tandem skydiving jumps has died. These deaths could have been prevented if skydiving companies followed safety requirements.
In 1996, 13 of 39 fatalities were caused by jumpers falling without handles. An automatic activation device would have prevented those accidents. Currently, the United States Parachute Association recommends that skydivers have an altimeter-controlled automatic deployment device.
In 1998, the death of Kathleen Auld could have been prevented if the skydiving company had required safety equipment. A letter from Dr. Torch, the President of the United States Parachute Association, wrote that “students should be provided with an altimeter-controlled automatic deployment device,” as well as a visually accessible altimeter.
According to the bill, a skydiving business must have a handbook describing the basic safety requirements of skydiving. They must also provide prospective jumpers with information on skydiving safety requirements.
Dropzones
Whether you’re looking to take your first tandem skydive or you’re a skydiver with years of experience, you need to know how to find a United States parachute association dropzone. There are nearly 350 dropzones in the United States, and they are spread across the country. There are also nearly 60 dropzones in Australia. These dropzones have a variety of benefits, including USPA membership, top-notch training, and state-of-the-art equipment.
Finding a USPA member dropzone is easy with the Dropzones – USPA Dropzone Finder app. You can search by location, aircraft, or service. You can even start a phone call to any of the dropzones listed. The app is USPA certified, and it allows you to view a map of all USPA-certified dropzones in the world.
C license
Obtaining a United States parachute association C license opens up a variety of opportunities. It is a certification that breaks down the information into simpler forms, such as the number of flight maneuvers required and how many times a skydiver has made a particular jump.
The C License holder is not only permitted to do all the things that A and B License holders are allowed to do, but he or she also has the privilege of jumping with a camera or wingsuit. If a skydiver has a C License he or she is also eligible to take a USPA Instructor Rating course and even ride as a passenger on a tandem instructor training jump.
It is not uncommon for a skydiver to qualify for both a C License and a USPA instructor rating, though these two certifications are not available together. The main difference between the two is that the C License holder is allowed to fly into difficult landings, whereas the instructor rating enables the skydiver to work with students on a parachute jump.
