NightJumper 0 #1 February 28, 2003 The TSA has rescinded all waivers that previously allowed demo jumps into pro and college stadiums and events seating 30,000 spectators or more. The TSA action was based on enactment of Public Law 108-7 which began as an appropriations bill and was recently signed into law. The bill, which was needed to fund multiple government agencies for the remainder of fiscal year 2003, was crammed with hundreds of provisions desired by special-interest groups. One group comprised professional and collegiate sports organizations that wanted the FAA and TSA to minimize flights over their stadiums, particularly flights by banner-towing aircraft and other aerial advertisers. The resulting provision required the TSA to rescind all waivers to Notam 2/0199 which controls flight activity (including skydiving) over such stadiums and events. The law actually allows the TSA to reissue waivers for aviation activity involved in “operational purposes of an event, stadium, or other venue.” USPA believes the language allows the TSA to reissue waivers for demo jumps that are, after all, contracted by the stadium, college, or team officials. However the TSA waiver office disagrees, and will not issue waivers for exhibition jumps into the affected stadiums. USPA has appealed the decision to senior TSA officials, and has contacted members of Congress for support. Until further notice, TSA will not issue waivers for any exhibition jumps into pro (e.g. NFL, NASCAR, MLB, etc.) and college (NCAA Division 1-A) stadiums and events seating 30,000 or more spectators. Exhibition jumps into all other venues are not controlled by Notam 2/0199 and do not require a TSA waiver, though they may still require an FAA Certificate of Authorization. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,111 #2 February 28, 2003 >The TSA has rescinded all waivers that previously allowed demo > jumps into pro and college stadiums . . . About six years ago I jumped into Qualcomm stadium (then Jack Murphy) - it was an amazing experience. I'm glad I got to do it before this happened. Makes me wonder how much different skydiving will be for someone who starts jumping next year vs. when I started. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #3 February 28, 2003 To what extent do you think that the NASCAR jump accident has fueled the fire to bring this to the forefront?--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,111 #4 February 28, 2003 >To what extent do you think that the NASCAR jump accident has > fueled the fire to bring this to the forefront? Very little, I think. We have a navy team here that seems to have a serious accident once every two years (deaths, broken backs etc.) There have been cases where spectators have been killed by swooping jumpers. None of that seemed to affect demos; the TSA probably cares very little about demos but a lot about airplanes flying overhead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #5 February 28, 2003 I believe Baby Herman said it best, "This whole thing stinks like yesterday's diapers". That is to say, it's a piece of crap. This has NOTHING to do with the actual safety of individuals or terrorist attacks. This has EVERYTHING to do with advertising. 99% of the TFRs filed for the sport venues call for a restriction of 5 sm and 3000 AGL around and above the event. Consider how much more time it would take to perform a kamikaze strike on a group of people from 4000 AGL than it would be from 3000 AGL. Got it figured out yet? Maybe an additional 5 seconds. So, who is the TFR really keeping out? Banner tows & blimps. Sport venues have for years been trying to find a way to close off banner tows because they believe it takes away revenue from the venue. In the name of "homeland security" these venues have banded together to push this crap through the legal system. We (demo jumpers) only get lumped into this stupid thing because the TSA doesn't understand ANYTHING about aviation. Nor do they care to learn. That's not their job. The whole thing stinks.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyingferret 0 #6 February 28, 2003 I dont know enough about the bill to decide who pushed it and who attached the riders. But if it turns out that the stadiums do not want demo jumps, then it is private property, right? If they do think demo jumps benefit their events, and I think they do, then they should help the USPA seek an exemption, right? I may be totally wrong, just thinking outloud.-- All the flaming and trolls of wreck dot with a pretty GUI. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #7 February 28, 2003 They don't need to fight it all, they can just call their local military demo team and its scheduled like *that* since the military teams are exempt from the restrictions.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jimbo 0 #8 February 28, 2003 QuoteBut if it turns out that the stadiums do not want demo jumps, then it is private property, right? I don't think anyone mentioned what the stadiums do or do not want, what was mentioned is that there is now a ban on demo jumps into stadiums. This is the TSA at work, not some fictional league of stadium owners. QuoteIf they do think demo jumps benefit their events, and I think they do, then they should help the USPA seek an exemption, right? I Parachute demos are neat but I really think that the whuffo population doesn't really care one way or another about parachute demos into any event. - Jim"Like" - The modern day comma Good bye, my friends. You are missed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyingferret 0 #9 February 28, 2003 QuoteI don't think anyone mentioned what the stadiums do or do not want, what was mentioned is that there is now a ban on demo jumps into stadiums. This is the TSA at work, not some fictional league of stadium owners. Quote Sport venues have for years been trying to find a way to close off banner tows because they believe it takes away revenue from the venue. In the name of "homeland security" these venues have banded together to push this crap through the legal system. -- All the flaming and trolls of wreck dot with a pretty GUI. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jimbo 0 #10 February 28, 2003 QuoteI am on the verge of being a Horney canopy That's what I get for not carefully reading the entire thread. My bad. Advertising and demos are two entirely different things, aren't they? - Jim"Like" - The modern day comma Good bye, my friends. You are missed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyingferret 0 #11 February 28, 2003 I mean it may be right or wrong, I have no idea....I do not know the details of the bill. I was just thinking outloud. If that is the case, I would think it is really up to the owners of the venue.-- All the flaming and trolls of wreck dot with a pretty GUI. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
