Parachute Industry Association

06/05/2026

The United States Parachute Association - USPA has released Part One of its 2025 non-fatal incident analysis, written by Ron Bell.

Of the 254 incident reports filed in 2025, landing problems accounted for the largest share at 58.4%. Within that category, the data identifies recurring patterns including early and high flares, intentional and unintentional low turns, and the absence of a PLF. The analysis notes that injury severity in low-turn incidents increases with the degree of the turn, and that reports where a PLF was attempted show consistently less severe injuries.

The article also outlines related developments: the 2026 Integrated Student Program now incorporates five canopy-flight emergency procedures into student progression, and the USPA Board has initiated a research project on PLF training, with findings expected in the 2027 SIM.

USPA estimates that roughly 5% of reportable incidents are currently filed.

Any USPA member can submit an incident report at uspa.org/ir.

Read the full article by Ron Bell - link in the comments.

06/04/2026

The world of skydiving continues to evolve and be more exciting. Kudos to Operation VK and PIA member Performance Designs on this exciting project!

06/04/2026

Congratulations to the Vigil AAD team on another life saved! Is your AAD on?

Save #641 ⚡ Mode: Pro

At deployment altitude, the skydiver reached for their main parachute pilot chute but was unable to deploy successfully. After several attempts, the jumper lost altitude awareness. The activated at its preset altitude, cutting the reserve closing loop, and the jumper landed safely.

Your Vigil AAD is designed for one purpose: to help dramatically reduce the risks associated with skydiving.

Interested in the information behind every Vigil AAD life save? Check out the list through the link below. 👇

https://www.vigil.aero/vigil-life-saves

05/30/2026

Your most critical piece of equipment isn't in your gear bag - it's in your head. 🧠
Mental training is just as important as physical skill in skydiving. Visualization and mental rehearsal help you:

• Anticipate other flyers' positions
• Master fall-rate adjustments
• Stay calm in emergency situations
• Make sharp decisions under pressure

Whether you're a fun jumper managing first-jump nerves or an experienced competitor, mental clarity saves lives and improves performance.

Great read from Pancho Campo in Parachutist Magazine. Train your mind. Elevate your skydive.

Click to read the full article in the comments.

Photo by Zach Lewis

05/28/2026

Here's to all the crazy one's who have made our lives better by making skydiving safer.

05/25/2026

Parachutist Magazine - September 2000 - an ad for the PIA Symposium in San Diego in 2001.

Did you attend this Symposium?

05/18/2026

Congratulations to everyone involved in the Australian Parachute Federation's AGM.

By all accounts, it was a highly successful conference, with positive feedback from those who attended. Events like this play an important role in bringing the skydiving community together, sharing ideas, recognizing progress, and helping move the sport forward.

Well done to the APF team, presenters, organizers, volunteers, and everyone who contributed to making the event such a success.

05/15/2026

Long spots are not emergencies. They are decision-making moments.

In a recent Skydive Mag article, Pete Lubrano breaks down how skydivers can better manage long spots through awareness, canopy performance, and early decision-making.

Lubrano notes that long spots are often predictable before exit. Faster-than-expected groundspeed, smaller groups ahead, a long delay after the green light, or being last on a student-heavy load can all be signs that jumpers may need to adjust the plan, including opening higher to create more options.

The article also highlights the importance of understanding your canopy’s glide performance, knowing how winds affect your ability to get back, and recognizing when it is time to stop forcing the return and choose a safe off-DZ landing area while there is still altitude to make a good decision.

Thank you to Pete Lubrano and Skydive Mag for sharing this important canopy safety perspective with the skydiving community.

You're long and aren't sure if you can make it back to the dropzone? Pete Lubrano with some tips on flying your canopy safely in a long spot.

05/14/2026

The Parachute Industry Association congratulates PIA Member DZONE on the official sale and transition of its first franchise location.

Eric Skroch, a long-time DZONE staff member and resident of Three Forks, Montana, has purchased DZONE Bozeman, becoming the first official franchisee of the DZONE Skydiving brand. The agreement was signed on May 1, 2026, and announced during DZONE Bozeman’s annual Safety Day event on May 9.

This milestone marks an important step for DZONE and reflects the continued growth and professionalization of the skydiving industry.

PIA congratulates DZONE founder Abbie Mashaal, Eric Skroch, and the entire DZONE team on this achievement.

/PRNewswire/ -- DZONE Franchising Corporation reached a historic milestone in the aviation and extreme sports sector with the official sale and transition of...

05/14/2026

PIA Members: We look forward to seeing you in Memphis!

The 2026 2nd Regular PIA Meeting will take place August 20–22 in Memphis, Tennessee.

Members planning to attend are encouraged to book their hotel room and register for the meeting as soon as possible. (Link in comment below)

Important reminders:

Hotel Deadline:
The deadline to book your room at the PIA rate is July 27, 2026.

Meeting Registration:
Please register for the meeting separately from your hotel reservation.

Registration helps PIA plan for attendance and provides your dinner ticket for the Riverboat Dinner Cruise on Friday, August 21.