JUMPING AT OTHER DROP ZONES

When you visit another drop zone, find out about:

  • local rules
  • local conditions (hazards, no-go areas, places where turbulence occurs)
  • the aircraft and any limitations imposed on your use of it e.g.
    • is it safe to get out without calling a 'CUT'?
    • how many people are allowed to hang on the outside?
    • where should the others be in the plane? etc.
and take all your documents:
  • BPA Membership
  • Declaration of Fitness/Medical Certificate
  • FAI Licence
  • Logbook (make sure it is signed up)
If you have your own equipment: MOT (Certificate of Inspection) and Reserve Packing Card.

N.B: Your BPA third-party insurance does not cover you at UK drop zones which are not affiliated to the BPA.

You can expect your documents to be checked and your kit inspected before you are allowed to jump. Make sure your kit is in good order. The things that wear out quickest are the Velcro and Closing Loops. Your closing loops should be tight (i.e. it should be quite difficult to close the pack) as a loose loop makes an unexpected deployment more likely. And that is dangerous, for you and others.

JUMPING ABROAD

Your BPA third-party insurance does not cover you in USA or Canada. You should take out separate insurance when visiting these countries. Note that United States Parachute Association membership only provides $50,000 third party cover - peanuts in the States. Medical Insurance is a very good idea when travelling abroad: you will need to take out a special policy if you are parachuting: normal travel insurance usually excludes our sport.
Be especially careful when jumping abroad: in many places rules and guidance are non-existent or not enforced - their rules apply, not ours. However, while it may seem great to jump without BPA restrictions, that's only until something goes wrong. If in doubt, ask yourself: "would I be allowed to do this at home, and if not, why not?"

Bear in mind that the regulations abroad are not the same as ours. In particular, while your reserve repack is valid for 6 months in the UK, the cycle is usually shorter elsewhere: it is 120 days in the USA, and only 3 months in France, for example. The USA also requires your reserve to be sealed (to prevent non-rigger tampering). Get a reserve repack just before you go! Your MOT paper ('Certificate of Inspection') for your rig is not considered valid in any other country: you must have a standard reserve packing card as well.

©2004 British Parachute Schools