FAA Authorizes Skydiving Innovations for Day and Night Drone Filming at Comic Con
We are often asked what the approval process is for executing a skydiving performance, and who has jurisdiction over such aviation activities. We thought it would be a good idea to detail the answers to these important questions.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – PERMISSION FOR SKYDIVING ACTIVITIES
WHO HAS JURISDICTION OVER THE AIRSPACE YOU USE FOR YOUR PERFORMANCES?
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has sole jurisdiction of the use of what is known as the “National Airspace System”. (NAS). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Airspace_System.
Federal Law regarding jurisdiction of the FAA: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/49/40103
HOW DOES SKYDIVING INNOVATIONS GET PERMISSION TO USE AIRSPACE?
Skydiving Innovations applies for, and receives a “Certificate of Authorization” from the FAA for our planned operations and activities in the airspace. ONLY THE FAA CAN GRANT OR DENY AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF THE NATIONAL AIRSPACE WHEN OPERATING IN CONTROLLED AIRSPACE.
DO I HAVE TO GET PERMISSION FROM MY CITY, TOWN OR STATE FOR SKYDIVING INNOVATIONS TO USE THE AIRSPACE?
Municipalities, cities, towns, counties and states have absolutely no jurisdiction over use of the national airspace, and therefore cannot approve or deny use of the airspace for a parachute jump or any other aviation activity. Only the FAA can do that.
HAS SKYDIVING INNOVATIONS EVER BEEN DENIED PERMISSION TO USE THE NATIONAL AIRSPACE?
No.
DO I HAVE TO GET PERMISSION FROM MY CITY, TOWN OR STATE FOR YOUR SKYDIVERS TO LAND ON MY PRIVATE PROPERTY?
No. However, we will need your written permission in order to land on your private property, and in order to secure insurance coverage for the jump.
DO I HAVE TO GET PERMISSION FROM MY CITY, TOWN OR STATE FOR YOUR SKYDIVERS TO LAND ON PUBLICY OWNED AND OPERATED PROPERTY?
Yes. Depending upon what city or town owns the public property you would like us to land on, a letter of permission is required. Skydiving Innovations cannot land on private or public property without written authorization to do so. Both the FAA and our insurance carrier require written permission.
In most cases, when a municipality attempts to prohibit parachute jumps on to public property, they do so out of a genuine desire to do the right thing. Often, too, they do so out of a misunderstanding or lack of knowledge of our activities. Unfortunately, sometimes their only exposure to skydiving is what they see on the news or watch on the internet. Our job is to educate and inform them about the safe and legitimate nature of skydiving demonstrations, and to help them make sure that any demonstrations on to public property are safely and appropriately conducted.
DO I HAVE TO GET PERMISSION FROM MY CITY, TOWN OR STATE FOR SKYDIVERS TO OVERFLY PRIVATE AND PUBLIC AREAS SUCH AS STREETS, BUILDINGS, BUSINESSES, PARKS, GOLF COURSES AND HOMES?
No. Jurisdiction regarding overflight of public and private property is the purview of the FAA. In most cases, there are only two FAA restrictions affecting a skydiver’s flight (under parachute) over persons, or public or private property. These restrictions relate to the lowest permissible height over which a skydiver may pass persons, and the closest distance (laterally) they may land to persons on the ground. All Skydiving Innovations performers are Professionally rated by the US Parachute Association, and so may pass as low as 50 feet over, or land as close as 15 feet to spectators.
Skydivers ARE prohibited from exiting the aircraft over an open air assembly of people. As such, we always exit our aircraft over unoccupied d areas such as fields, bodies of water, undeveloped property, empty parking lots, etc.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY LOCAL MUNICIPALITY ATTEMPTS TO DENY PERMISSION FOR YOUR SKYDIVERS TO LAND ON PUBLIC OR PRIVATE PROPERTY?
Call us immediately and let us communicate with the city or other government individual or agency that is attempting to deny authorization. In most cases, we can cheerfully and appropriately educate them about our professional skydiving activities and turn a no into a yes.
Please contact us directly if you have any questions regarding our parachute demonstrations, or receiving approval for them to take place. We are at your service.
Cheers!
Skydiving Innovation
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