October 2024

Dear CSPA skydivers,  

For the past couple of years, our team has been working actively behind the scenes trying to gain recognition of foreign rigger certifications by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). 

In 2023, following months of meetings with various stakeholders, CSPA submitted an exemption request to the FAA for recognition of CSPA Rigger certifications, with the hopes of that exemption eventually extending to other cooperating countries. A year later, the FAA returned with a request for a rule change petition in 14 CFR 105.49 addressing foreign parachutists’ equipment. This led to further discussions with additional stakeholders and a united effort by CSPA, USPA, and the Parachute Industry Association.  

A rule change petition was created and eventually submitted in August 2024 by Kirk Smith, the Chair of the PIA Rigging Committee. We have recently received a response from the FAA, and unfortunately, citing a lack of safety concerns, other FAA priorities, and limited resources, the rule change petition has been shelved. This means that the outdated 105.49 rule still stands and any TSO’d equipment being jumped in the United States is required to have the reserve canopy packed by an FAA certified rigger.  

Our three organizations will continue with our efforts to work with the FAA. Additionally, the CSPA team is going back to the drawing board and continuing conversations with additional stakeholders. We will continue to support this important cause. All updates will be posted on our website and communicated as necessary! 

We appreciate your patience and understanding. 

CSPA Board of Directors 

 

September 2023

Hello fellow skydivers!

Now that we are already moving into the fall season, we wanted to supply an update with regards to where CSPA is at on the recognition of CSPA rigger ratings in the United States.

Following months of meetings with industry stakeholders, including but not limited to the FAA, USPA, and PIA, a proposal for a waiver/exemption has been submitted. We are now awaiting the FAA’s consideration.

Understand that this is not an easy or timely task, but we have the support of the industry, and we continue to remain optimistic.  

We appreciate your patience and understanding, and we will continue to update the membership in due course.

Thank you for your attention,

CSPA Board of Directors and CSPA Technical & Safety Committee

 

April 2023

Hello fellow skydivers!

Now that we are well into 2023, we wanted to supply an update with regards to where CSPA is at on the recognition of CSPA rigger ratings in the United States.

The original notice is located here.

As mentioned, we continue to actively seek guidance on a solution to this issue. We have had numerous meetings with industry stakeholders, including but not limited to the FAA, USPA, and PIA. We are moving forward with applying for a waiver or exemption to the Federation Aviation Regulations (FARs) for CSPA riggers.

Understand that this is not an easy or timely task, but we have the support of the industry as we move forward with this project.

We appreciate your patience and understanding, and we will continue to update the membership in due course.

Thank you for your attention,

CSPA Board of Directors and CSPA Technical & Safety Committee

 

December 2022

Hello fellow skydivers!

With COVID 19 restrictions mostly behind us, the CSPA Board of Directors would like to take this opportunity to encourage those of you who are traveling to skydiving events outside of Canada, to not only to have fun, but to remind you to observe the rules and recommendations of the country and dropzone you will be attending for a safe, enjoyable experience.

For those non-US residents travelling to the United States, under direction of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), US dropzones are now enforcing reserve repacks by FAA riggers, on TSO’d gear. This means gear that is approved by the FAA. More information on this rule can be found in FAR 65.111.

We are actively seeking guidance on a solution to this issue, including but not limited to applying for a waiver or exemption to the Federation Aviation Regulations (FARs) for CSPA riggers.

We understand that this could pose a last-minute complication for those of you travelling in the immediate future. If this applies to you, we encourage you to either;

• Follow the local regulations and if required, have your reserve repacked upon arrival at the dropzone.
• Speak with your rigger as they may also be an FAA rigger or know one that can assist in a local reserve repack.

We understand the urgency of this issue. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this issue. We will update the membership in due course.

Thank you for your attention,

CSPA Board of Directors and CSPA Technical & Safety Committee