New demo requirements

[mjosparky 4]

TSA Demo Waiver Process Changes

Effective immediately, the Transportation Security Administration has changed the process for issuing waivers to allow demo jumps into large stadium events. The TSA now requires that demo skydivers apply for and receive a TSA waiver. Previously, only the pilot needed to submit a waiver request. Additionally, the TSA now requires a letter from the event or stadium sponsor. Finally, the agency says waiver requests should be submitted at least seven to ten business days in advance, rather than five to seven days as before.

FAA Notam 3/1862 (http://www1.faa.gov/SPECIALNOTAMS/Special_Interest_Notams.htm#1862 ) describes the stadiums and events that automatically receive a Temporary Flight Restriction, which covers the stadium from 3,000 feet to the surface at a radial distance of three nautical miles. Any aviation activity that takes place within that airspace needs to receive a waiver from the TSA, demo jumps included. The TSA waiver is separate from any necessary FAA Certificate of Authorization issued by an FAA Flight Standards District Office.

Go to http://www1.faa.gov/ats/ata/waiver/ (an FAA website) for the online application for a TSA waiver. Each person must complete the form, with jumpers entering information requested of “pilots.” Jumpers should enter “skydiver” where the form asks “FAA Pilot Certificate Number.” Forty-eight hours after the forms are submitted, the organizer should fax to the TSA (fax: 571-227-2948) a letter from the event/stadium sponsor saying that skydiving is desired. The TSA will process the application within seven to ten business days, at the completion of which each person submitting a waiver application will receive a letter from the TSA authorizing a waiver.


Sparky

My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals

[quade 4]

You'd think they'd have a way so that you'd only have to do the criminal background check and fingerprinting annually, but it looks like you have to go through the entire mess on each and every large stadium demo.

And forget trying to find a substitute if a jumper comes up sick and can't make it.

Oh joy this is gonna be fun.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[darkwing 5]

Not as bad as they could have made it. Don't get me wrong though. I think they are 90% fascists, and 10% protectors of the public safety.

-- Jeff
My Skydiving History

[nightjumps 1]

"Large Stadium Events" is defined as 30,000 people present at a national event.... I'm not shouting, this is a copy/paste from .gov We've had no problems from ATC in getting our demos approved.

PARACHUTE OPERATIONS ARE PROHIBITED AT AND BELOW 3,000 FEET AGL WITHIN A THREE NAUTICAL MILE RADIUS OF ANY STADIUM HAVING A SEATING CAPACITY OF 30,000 OR MORE PEOPLE IN WHICH A MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL, NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE, NCAA DIVISION ONE FOOTBALL, OR MAJOR MOTOR SPEEDWAY EVENT IS OCCURING. ALL PREVIOUSLY ISSUED WAIVERS TO FDC NOTAM 2/0199 ARE RESCINDED. THOSE WHO MEET ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA MAY REAPPLY FOR A WAIVER TO THESE RESTRICTIONS:

(A) FOR OPERATIONAL PURPOSES OF AN EVENT, STADIUM, OR OTHER VENUE, INCLUDING (IN THE CASE OF A SPORTING EVENT) THE TRANSPORT OF EQUIPMENT OR PARTS, TEAM MEMBERS, OFFICIALS OF THE GOVERNING BODY, THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS AND GUESTS OF SUCH TEAMS, AND OFFICIALS TO AND FROM THE EVENT, STADIUM, OR OTHER VENUE,

(B) FOR BROADCAST COVERAGE FOR ANY BROADCAST RIGHTS HOLDER,

(C) FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY PURPOSES OF THE EVENT, STADIUM, OR OTHER VENUE. THIS RESTRICTION DOES NOT APPLY TO;

(A) THOSE AIRCRAFT AUTHORIZED BY ATC FOR OPERATIONAL OR SAFETY PURPOSES INCLUDING AIRCRAFT ARRIVING OR DEPARTING FROM AN AIRPORT USING STANDARD AIR TRAFFIC PROCEDURES;

[mjosparky 4]

This just went into effect. You might want to look into it so as not to get caught short.
Sparky

My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals