'r#jt,3lll"o,,', - Parachute Industry Association

DECEMBER 1996 

Volume 96-4 

Minutes 

"f 

BI=I'n"r, Meeting 

Financial Report 

Full 'r#jt,3lll"o,,', 

Member Listing 

Pareicfiute Inilastrl lssa ciatirln

Parathutt" Inilustrl lssrir;iatirln 

Code of Professional Responsibility 

soP - 314 

The Parachute Industry Association is dedicated to the promotion of the highest principles of honesty, 

integrify, fairness and professional behavior in all of our dealings with our customers, the public at large and 

among ourselves. We are an organization based in the United States of America, with an international 

membership base. Our ethical solidarity is only as strong as the cumulative quality of our individual 

members. It is because our membership extends beyond the bounds of most federal, state and local customs 

of acceptable behavior. There are many issues on which we, as individual members, will disagree. It is 

imperative that all of our disagreements, arguments, accusations and methods of resolution be kept within 

the bounds of our organization. It is essential that we approach the outside world with a clear, common and 

unified voice. The Ethics Committee should consist of members representing the delinitive disciplines of our 

organization, which in combination comprise and constitute the interests of the Parachute Industry 

Association. These disciplines include but are not necessarily limited to Materials Suppliers, Equipment 

Manufacturers, Distributors, Riggers and Drop Zone Operators. 

General: We must strive to achieve excellence in the products and services we offer as individual members. 

It is imperative that we take steps to understand and avoid any situations which would project our industry 

in a less than positive way to those with whom we deal. 

We must respect and protect the integrity of the property rights of others, whether intellectual 

property, trademarks, patents or copyrights. It is difficult if not impossible to conduct our business without 

making public some of the things we have worked hard to protect. Disregard for the integrity of the 

properties ofothers should be avoided. 

We will know, understand, respect and obey existing laws having jurisdiction over our business 

activities. This pledge of compliance extends to include all of our Standard Operating Procedures. 

Commitment to service. Our professional responsibilities must be bound by our commitment to 

perform as we have agreed or contracted. The quality of our work is only as strong as our commitment to 

take personal responsibility for the work which we perform. 

Snecific areas of discinline 

Material Sunpliers Quality of Goods. Suppliers of raw materials, purchased items and parts must 

state the quality ofthe goods or parts they supply, ifthe grade ofthe goods is other than first quality. 

Certification. Suppliers of raw materials, purchased items and parts should be able to make certification to 

specification on materials they supply, as applicable. 

Equipment Manufacturers must state the quality of the goods or parts they supply, if the grade of 

the goods is other than first quality. They must refrain from stating other that accurate claims in advertising 

and promotional efforts. They must operate with a quality assurance system which has the capability to 

effectively handle recall of systems or components as necessary. 

Equioment Distributors of parachute components should not represent a product in any way which 

is not consistent with its intended use. They should not recommend use of a component beyond its 

manufacturer's intended range of use. 

Parachute Rissers will keep complete and accurate records of activities performed under the 

authority of his/her certilicate, as well as work done under his/her supervision. They will refrain from 

providing a service or an opinion on matters which are outside the scope of their education, experience or 

expertise. 

Droo Zone Ooerators will follow a comprehensive course of instruction which is consistent with 

accepted common good and safe practice in the skydiving community. When providing equipment for use in 

skydiving operations, will provide proper, safe and airworthy equipment which is appropriate to the jump 

being made. They will provide appropriate airlift which is maintained in a safe and airworthy condition and 

which is operated by appropriately rated personnel. They will utilize only those modifications to aircraft 

intended to facilitate skydiving which have been done in accordance with accepted industry practice and 

which carry appropriate authorizations (i.e. inflight door, installation of steps, handles and appendages.) 

They will only introduce fuel into aircraft which is intended and authorized for use in that particular aircraft 

powerplant. Only properly filtered fuel which is drawn from controlled and uncontaminated sources should 

be used.

Para NewsBrief - December 1996 

PARANOTE.DOC

PIA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS 

PHONE NUMBERS, FAX NUMBERS, AND E-MAIL ADDRESSES 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 

CLIF'F- SCHMUCKER President 513-897-6165 513-897-7548 Cliff.Schmucker@pia.com 

GEORGE GALLOWAY V-Presidcnt 423-949-4688 423-949-5174 Precision@pia.com 

JEAN BECK Secretary 501452-3987 501452-7752 DJ@pia.com 

DORI BACHMAN Treasurer 847-679-5905 847-679-8644 

E[.EK PUSKAS E-rec. Advisor 609-663-1275 609-663-3028 

COMMITTEE CHAIRS 

DZISPORT PROMOTION COMMITTEE 

RAY FERRELL Chair 

916-753-2651 916-753-8572 aap@ix,netcom.com 

(Co-Chair Vocant) 

HEADQUARTERS/M USEUM COMMITTEE 

LOWELL BACHMAN Clatr 847-679-5905 847-679-8644 

805-968-7277 805-968-1379 DanPoynter@ParaPublishing.com 

DAN POYNTER Co-Chair 

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE 

CEORGE GALLOWAY Chair 423-949-4688 423-949-5174 Precision@pia.com 

DAN WILCOX Co-Chair 904-736-7589 904-734-7537 

RIGGING COMMITTEE 

ALLEN SILVER C&air 510-785-7070 510-785-9213 

DAVE DEWOLF Co-Chair 717-367-0808 717-361-8292 

RISK MANAGEM ENT COMMITTEE 

(Chair Vacant) 

(Co-Chair Vacanl) 

SYMPOSIUM'97 COMMITTEE 

PATTI CHERNIS Clair 

AL GRAMANDO Co-Chair 

360-893-6111 360-893-1999 Nleinc@pia.com 

908-3'16-0719 908-316-0721 PARATRAIN@aol.com 

SPECIFICATIONS COMMTTTEE 

BILL GERROW Chair 

910-275-5800 910-275-8866 Perftexgso@aolcom 

BTJDDY MC LAURIN Co-Chair 910-279-8625 910-279-8629 

TECHNICAL COMMITTEE 

JOHN f-EBLANC Chair 904-738-2224 904-734-8297 

SANDY FIEID Co-Chair 

909-928-'1438 909-928-1538 ri@ix.netcom com 

coMMUNTCATTONS SERVICES (AD-HOC) 

CLIFF SCHMUCKERChaiT 513-897-6165 513-897-7548 SSK@pia.com 

AL GRAMANDO Co-Chair 

908-316-0719 908-316-0721 newsbrief@pia.com 

ETHICS COMMITTEE (AD-HOC) 

GEORGE GALLOWAY Chair 

DAN POYNTER Co-Chair 

615-949-4688 615-949-5174 Precision@pia.com 

805-968-7277 805-968-1379 DanPoynter@ParaPublishing.com 

GOVERNMENT SYSTEMS COMMITTEE (AD-HOC) 

MAURICE GIONFRIDDO Chatr 508-366-1042 508-366-1042 mgion@aol.com 

508-675-0101 508-677-6791 JMAC@microsoft.com 

JOIIN MACH ADO Co-Chair 

STEERTNG COMMTTTEE (AD-HOC) 

SANDY REID Chuir 

CLIFF'SCHMTJCKER Co-Choir 

909-928-1438 909-928-1538 ri@ix.netcom.com 

513-897-6165 513-897-7548 SSK@pia.com 


PARANEWX.DOC

The Para NewsBrief 

Volume 964 December 1996 

LOOKING FORWARD TO SYMPOSIUM '97 

Parachute Industry 

Association 

1996-1997 Officers 

President 

Cliff Schmucker 

SSK Industries. Inc. 

Vice-President 

George Galloway 

Precision Aerodynamics 

Secretary 

Jean Beck 

DJ Associates. Inc. 

Treasurer 

Dori Bachman 

Para-Gear Equipment Company 

Executive Advisor 

Elek Puskas 

Para-Flite, Inc. 

Editor 

Al Gramando 

Publisher 


PIA 

FEEfiUABV $fi 1997 

nuBIM, tfltsu.s.t. 

From The Desk of The 

Prez! 

To our Members and Subscribers: 

Our September Meeting in Houston 

was both productive and groundbreaking. 

Productive in that a lot of 

work was accomplished. Groundbreaking 

in that PIA is entering an 

exciting period of growth and 

innovation. As new opportunities are 

being presented to our organization, 

our members and committees are 

accepting the associated challenges. 

There is a downside to these new 

areas of involvement and projects - 

again, I must apologize for the 

lateness of this issue of Para 

NewsBrief. There has been a great 

deal of interim action since the 

meeting, and it seems there is never 

enough time. However, at our 

February meeting, I hope to present a 

proposal that will deal with this 

situation, and allow us to get more 

association work done in a timely and profbssional 

manner, while providing better than ever services 

for our members. 

I would like to take this opportunity to wish 

everyone Happy Holidays and all the best for the 

New Year, and I am looking forward to seeing you 

at SYMPOSIUM'97 in February! 

,(/// 


PNBNlrW96

FYI 

COMMITTEE MEMBER LISTINGS 

MINUTES OF SUMMER MEETING 

FINANCIAL RBPORT 

COMMITTEE REPORTS 

PIA STOREiPRODUCTS 

SYMPOSIUM'97 REGISTRATION FORM 

SYMPOSIUM'97 EXHIBITOR FORM 

SYMPOSIUM '97 EXHIBIT FLOOR PLAN 

WHO'S WHO IN THE BOOTHS 

SPONSORSHIP TNFORMATION 

FULL MEMBER LISTING 

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION 

Parachute Industry Association 

1440 Duke Street 

Alexandria, VA 223 l4 USA 

Internet Web Home Pagez httpz/hvww.pia.com 

FAX: 513-897-7548 

e-mail: newsbrief@pia.com 

Para NewsBrief Volume 96-4 

A Project of PIA's Communications 

Services Committee 

Al Gramando - Project Leader 

Para NewsBrief is the official quarterly publication of the Parachute 

Industry Association. Contributions for publication are welcomed. 

If you wish to submit material, please send the best possible copy 

flat, not folded, to our Duke Street address. Submissions via e-mail, 

or on an IBM disc are encouraged, preferably in Word for Windows 

format. Disclaimer: PIA does not necessarily endorse or make any 

judgment as to he accuracy or validity ofany ofthe contents ofPara 

NewsBrief. 

AL GRAMANDO 

The exchange of information has never been so 

easy! 

As we move faster and faster into the information 

age the access to the information super highway has 

become so easy and commonplace that almost 

everyone has a computer and if they don't, they 

soon will. 

After watching George Galloway demonstrate the 

PIA Web Page, I couldn't imagine not having my 

company on-line. I have already begun the process. 

I think everyone was dazzled by the unique and 

individual home pages with which many of our 

members have already gone on-line. My parlicular 

favorite was Call Ralph which had all kinds of 

bells, whistles and flashing lights. 

First Step Research (FSR) which is a full member 

and who has been working with George Galloway 

on PIA's Web Page has agreed to provide free page 

space for all PIA members. With a deal like that it 

is hard to imagine any of us not having a home page 

within the next six months. 

Our member home pages may very well be some of 

the most unique on the entire Web just by the 

uniqueness of our industry. 

In the end, the benefits will outweigh any negative 

points. The ability of all our members being able to 

connect with each other and exchange information 

and ideas can only be financially beneficial to all 

concerned. Our customers will end up with better 

products and services. It is truly a "win-win" 

situation. 


PNBNEW96

operating the PIA Store and selling PIA items, he 

volunteered to add tlre Specs to the store. EIek 

Puskas' Risk Management committee contributed a 

disclaimer for the Snecs. 

PIA AROUND THE WORLD 

PIA ADOPTS US MIL SPECS 

The U.S. Government is abandoning the Military 

Specification program so the Parachute Industry 

Association has adopted some 275 specifications 

relating to parachutes. 

Mil Specs are used by the parachute industry world 

wide. Without specifications and standards, mills 

and parts manufacturers could ship nearly anything 

to the parachute manufacturers. "We require 

certifications and check all the fabric. hardware and 

webbing we buy", said Cliff Schmucker of SSK and 

President of PlA, "but we have to have a spec to 

check it against. We need some sort of 

measurement." 

The Specifications have been adopted without 

changes except for the number. For example, MIL- 

C-7020 (Cloth) has become PIA-C-7020. Some 

changes may be made in the future after a lengthy 

hearing process. 

Specifications were the major topic at the February 

'96 PIA meeting near San Francisco. Bill Gerrow's 

Specifications Committee received approval to 

pursue the Spec project. Since Dan Poynter was 

Specifications run $25 each for electronic editions 

and $35 plus $4 for air shipping for the paper 

editions. Electronic editions nray be secured from 

the PIA web site (http://www.pia.corn). See the 

catalog sheet for complete ordering information. 

Ef ectronic editions are in Adobe Acrobat s .pdf 

format. They may be viewed on the screen and 

printed out. The Acrobat reader is available free 

and may be downloaded frorn the PIA web site. 

Paper editions may be ordered by calling (805) 968- 

7277. 

The new typesetting makes the specs much more 

readable. If you order the electronic version from 

the web site and have a color printer, the PIA 

specification banner will print out in blue. 

The Spec conversion is being handled in phases. 

Phase one included l2 Specs. This was a test run to 

check the system. Phase two includes about 25 

Spec; with these the 35* most-often used specs will 

be covered. Eventually all 27 5 parachute-related 

spec will be done. Christine Nolt of Santa Barbara 

is preparing the specifications in .pdf fornrat. Gail 

Kearns is proofreading to make sure the new 

formats are accurate. George Galloway, PIA Vice- 

President and PIA Webmaster, is placing them on 

the site. 

The PIA specs and accounting systenr have been set 

up in a computer. The specs are printed on demand 

eliminating quantity-printing and inventory. When 

a paper copy is ordered, an invoice is cut and the 

spec is printed out and mailed. The accounting 

system is set up in QttickBooks and all the orders 

processed since the first of I 996 have been entered. 

Complete income, expense and inventory figures 

may be printed out at any time. 

When PIA sets up a headquafters, the computer 

may be shipped with its accounting system, word 

processing, inventory ofspecs, and other "hard" 

Store items. trulv a turnkev situation. 


l'NllNIW96

PRECISION AERODYNAMICS. INC. 

DASH-M SERIES 

Precision Aerodynamics is pleased to announce the 

development of the latest upgrade version of the 

Super Raven Reserve Series, which we refer to as 

the "Super Raven Dash M Series". In addition to 

the 120, 135, 150, 181,218,249 and 282 sq. ft 

models, the new Dash M Series will include a new 

smaller version of 109 sq. ft which will be the 

smallest pack volume TSO'd reserve available. 

The Dash M Series is similar to the current version 

of the Super Raven Series, in that it embodies 

exactly the same airfoil shape and line trim 

specifications which have proven to be so reliable 

and durable for the Super Raven during the past 

decade. 

The differences and enhancements include: 

Approval under the new TSO C-23d expected 

soon 

With approval under TSO C-23d, the weight ranges 

for each canopy model are expanded, and the old 

barrier of 254lbs is eliminated, making the Raven 4 

available for use at weights up to 300 lbs. 

Broader suspended weight allowances 

The placard weight ranges for each model are 

expanded to encompass broader maximum and 

minimum values. The values will be true 

demonstrated weight ranges afforded by the new 

TSO. 

Spanwise lower surface provides reinforcement 

across line attachment points 

The lower surface of the Dash M Series is 

constructed in the same manner as the Batwing, 

with spanwise reinforcement provided across the 

line attachment points in the form of a double 

needle fell seam. This unique method of spanwise 

reinforcement produces excellent structure without 

the unwanted bulk associated with added heavy 

tapes. 

Reduced pack volume- no bulky metal ring or 

bridle attachment point 

In addition to the reduced pack volume afforded by 

the spanwise lower surface, we have removed the 

metal ring and associated bridle attachment point 

and support tapes. The Dash M Series is intended 

for use as a reserve only, and unlike all other Super 

Raven canopies, its use as a main will not be 

encouraged. 

Expanded line of canopies- MicroRaven 109 

added 

We have added a canopy to the Dash M Series 

which is not available in the current version. The 

MicroRaven 109 is the smallest packing reserve 

canopy we have ever made, and specifications for 

the MicroRaven 109 will be published under 

separate cover. 

Spectra Line is Standard 

Spectra line is standard at no added charge on all 

canopies manufactured under the Dash M Series 

The Dash M Series of the Super Raven Reserve is 

not intended to be a replacement to the current 

version. It is intended to be an expansion and 

supplement to the popular Raven Reserve line of 

canopies. Both versions will be available to satisfy 

your customer's request. The current Super Raven 

is still the most popular reserve in the world, and we 

have no intention of removing it from the market. 

The price of the current Super Raven Reserve will 

remain at its current level through 1996. 

More information on the new Dash M Series will be 

made available soon. The purpose of this notice is 

to give a basic understanding of the new Dash M 

Series of the Super Raven Reserve. Price and 

delivery dates will not be quoted at this time, but we 

hope to have the Dash M available later this 

summer. 


PNBNEW96

IPC Technical Congress to Meet at 

PIA Symposium '97 

The Parachute Industry Association and the 

International Parachute Commission Technical and 

Safety Subcommittee will co-locate their two 

events; the IPC Technical Congress and the 

Parachute Industry Association Symposium in 

February 1997 in Houston, Texas. 

The IPC's Technical Congress meets every two 

years. Papers on parachute safety are presented and 

then resolutions are made. "Our members want to 

attend both the Congress and the Symposium so colocating 

will save on travel costs" says Liam 

McNulty of the IPC Technical & Safety 

Subcommittee. "This makes the Symposium even 

more important as we all will benefit greatly from 

the input of the Technical Congress" said Patti 

Chernis, Symposium Committee Chair. 

The PIA Symposium is an internationalevent 

consisting of seminars, forums and an international 

trade show. The February 9-13, 1997 event is 

expected to draw more than 1000 participants. 

The following are companies are among the first to 

provide sponsorships for the Symposium. 

USPA 

Binders and Advertising 

Performance Designs Full Page Color Advertising 

Skydive Dallas 

Continental Breakfast 

Northern Lite Enterprises 

Pull-up Cords 

DJ Associates, Inc. 

Security 

ParaTraining Enterprises Best Booth Award 

ParaTraini ng Enterprises Hand Shaker Award 

SunPath 

Plaques and Certifi cates 

SunPath 

Radios 

Techna Design 

Logo 

AC Software 

Web Page 

Car Rental for Symposium 

Car rental arrangements have been made with 

Budget Rent-a-Car. To receive the PIA rental rate 

you must always use rate code C-99. The rates are 

already in effect, so if you need a car for 

Symposium call 800-23 I -01 l2 or 713-988-7300. 

Tell them you have a local commercial account. 

For registration, exhibitor and hotel information 

contact: PIA Symposium Headquarters, 208 

Rosehill Ave., Deland, FL 32724. Telephone and 

Fax - on- demand (904) 738-6899. 

Symposium Sponsorships 

Vehicle 

Dailv 

Weeklv 

Sponsorships are corning in. Sponsorships are of 

great help to the organization and planning of 

Symposium, for they help to make Symposium the 

best it can be and at the same time help to keep the 

cost of the event as low as possible. Symposium 

Sponsors are recognized in many ways; before, 

during and after Symposium . If you or your 

company is interested in being a sponsor, please 

contact Patti Chernis at (360) 893-61I l. 

Economy 

Compact 

Intermediate 

Sport 

Luxury 

Mini Van 

Passenger Van 

34.99 

35.99 

38.99 

41.99 

s9.99 

59.99 

79.99 

169.99 

179.99 

199.99 

219.99 

329.99 

329.99 

499.99 

Para NewsBrief - December I 996 

PNBNEW96

I'IA ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB 

lf you were unable to attend this past PIA Business 

Meeting you missed a great demonstration of PIA 

on the WEB. This project was led by Vice- 

President George Galloway who has made 

arrangements to provide free Internet World Wide 

Web (WWW) Site space to all PIA Members. 

For those of you who 

have Netscape, you will 

be treated to some of 

the most innovative 

Home Pages. 

WWW is the hottest 

area of telecommunications 

growth, 

and allows your 

company to make available everything from 

advertising and service to product information and 

on-line ordering for both your current and potential 

customers. 

lf you are not familiar with the WWW, find a 

colleague who is and check out the "Yellow Pages" 

on PIA's Web-site (http://www.pia.com) to see 

what a number of your lellow members are already 

doing in the cyber-world. 

You can then develop your own pages, use the 

services of a local page creator, or use the services 

of our site-provider, First Step Research (FSR) of 

Moscow, Idaho and get "on-line" immediately. 

For those who already have a web-site, this 

announcement means a FREE "home" for your 

pages, and a PIA URt, in the form ofi 

http://www.pi a.com/rnem ber-name (example : 

http ://www. p i a. co m/S S K). 

This project is the first in a series of mernbershipbenefit 

enhancements currently in the works by 

PIA, all designed to provide services to our 

members usually only available to large companies 

or industry associations, mflking vour member 

in PIA even more cost-effective and heneficial. 

And ves. PIA Means Business!!! 

NEWS RELEASE 

FROM: Strong Enterprises 

DATE: Iuly 26,1996 

YOU: If you make money in tandem parachuting. 

Drop Zone personnel, as aDZ or individual. 

Jump aircraft owner or pilot, deriving 

income from skydiving. 

If you're business derives income from 

tandem and skydiving. 

Tandem student past and present. 

If you are planning on making a tandem 

ju-p. 

REFERENCE: Tandem Jumping, FAA Exemption 

No. 6474, docket 28479, effective July I ,1996. 

Petition for Rule change submitted March, 1986. 

WE NEED YOIJ 1'O: Write, Fax or e-mail your 

Senator or US Representative, (you can find their 

name and address in the front of your local phone 

book). 

IMPORTANT: The FAA Exemptions 4943 and 

6474 cover tandem jumping. The lirnitations and 

conditions are devastating to you as a Tandem 

Instructor, your business and your future income 

and Strong Enterprises. The best solution for 

everyone, including the FAA, is a permanent rule 

change. 

We need you to write a letter of support (sample 

enclosed) for changing tandem jumping from an 

"experimental" exemption to the much needed 

permanent rule change. It has been l2 )'ears and 

two million tandem jumps that tandem has been 

under temporary two year exemptions as 

"experimental" with student passengers referred to 

as "experimental test junlpers". The liability that 

you and the manufacturers are assuming needlessly 

under this "experimental" exemption has to change. 

Attached is background infbrrnation for you to use 

in your letters. Please feel free to use any or all of 

it. Strong Enterprises can only do so much to 

protect tandem jumping, it's now your turn to 

protect your occupation and sport. 

Good Jumping, 

Ted Strong, 

President 


PNBNEW96

TANDEM HISTORY FACTS 

1983 Dec - Petition for tandem jumping was filed by Strong Enterprises and Relative 

Workshop requesting a temporary exemption. 

1984 June - Exemption 4047 issued with the purpose of developing research data on this 

experimental test jump program in anticipalion for rule making change to allow 

general use for dual flight instruction in parachuting, 

1985 April Summary of petition was published in the Federal Register. 

f985 June Exemption 4047 extended for l year to gather additional test data and field 

experience. 

19E6 Jan Petition filed for Rule Change to FAR 105.43 and recommendations for revision 

to Aerospace Standard 8015A with research and test data, submitted by Strong 

Enterprises and Relative Workshop. 

1986 March A summary of petition for rule change was published in the Federal Register. 

1986 April Parachute industry starts meetings to establish TSO standards for tandem 

equipment. 

1987 May Exemption 4047 extended for t year- 

1988 June FAA allowed exemption 4047 to expire without acting upon request for 

exemption extension which was received in April 1988. 

198E June Exemption 4943 issued and subsequently renewed as "experimental" for 2 year 

periods until its expiration on June 30, 1996 

1989 Nov FAA agrees that tandem jumping "is an important aviation issue" bul "FAA 

resourc€s are currently committed to higher priority rule rnaking projecls." 

1990 June Exemption 4943 extended; still as "experimenlal" with students as "parachule tcsl 

jumpers". 

1990 July FAA scheduled notice of proposed rule making to be published in the Federal 

Register. 

1990 Aug FAA reguests and receives additional data to enable rendering a decision 

regarding feasibility of a rule making project. 

1992 May FAA responds that the petition' for rule change is "being coordinated 

appropriate offices" and "are unable to determine how long the coordination 

will take". 

1992 June Exemption 4943 extended; 

1992 July After 6 years of meetings, 

standards. 

within the 

Process 

still considered "experimental". 

parachute industry submits new tandem equipment 

1993 June FAA requests additional data from manufacturers to be provided by November. 

1993 June FAA issues TSO-C23d, new parachute standards inctuding tandem. Totat time 

from request lo rule - 6 years. 

1994 April Exemption 4943 extended, still .'experimental.', 

1296 July I Exemption 6474 issued by FAA to Strong Enrerprises. 

1996 July 3 Strong Enterprises refuses exemption as UNACCEPTABLE due to devastating 

te rm in olog y. 

Tandem jumping, the safest method of making your first parachute jump, is in legat jeopardy.

AVIATION SUBCOMMITTEE - SENATE 

427 Han Senatc Office Building, Washington, DC 20510-6125 

REPUBLICANST McCrin; Prcsslcr; Slcvcns; Gorton; Burns; loll; Hutchison; Ashcrofl Rcpublicrn Counscl: 224-4852 

DEMOCRATS: Ford; Exon; Inouyc; Bryan; Roclefellcr; Brcrur; Dorgrn Dcmocrat Counscl: 224-O4ll 

SEN. JOHN McCAIN 

24t SROB 

Warhlngton DC 20510-0303 

FAX 202-228-2892 

c-mall I ranrto?_mccelnemcerln.ranrt..ioy 

Wcb Slb: http://rrpln.reu.rdu/-pctp/mccrln/mccrln.html 

Phonc 2o2-zllffil 

SEN. I.ARRY PRESSLER 

243 SROB 

Woshlngton DC 20510-4101 

o-mall ; larry_pressler@pressler.sonate, gov 

Web Slte ; http ://www.senrte.gov/senator/pressler,html 

Phone,t.tJlft?l 

SEN. IED STEVENS 

ln AKI 

522 SHOE 

Phonc 202-224-3OOl 

Wuhlngton DC 2051C0201 

FAX 202-221-2354 

c-mrll: tanrtor_rlavcns@rtcvcnr,tonata.gov 

Wcb Slte : http ://www.rcneto.gov/ -stoyons/ 

SEN. SLADE GORTON 

IR WAI 

730 SHOB Phonc 202-224-34{1 

Warhlngton DC 20510.f701 

FAX 202-224-5393 

o-mall : renslor_gonon@gorton.srn.t.. goy 

Wcb Slto : http ://wurw.senate. gov/senator/goilon.html 

SEN. CONRAD BURNS 

18, SDOB 

$frrhlngnon DC 20510-2003 

t|J{202-22{d/504 

lmrll : conred_bumr@bumr.rcnata. goy 

Wrb Sltr : http ://www.rcnrtc.gov/-burnr/ 

SEN. TRENT LOTT 

lR MSI 

487 SROB 

Phone 202.224-6253 

W.rhlngton DC 20510-2403 

FA,X202.224.2262 

Wcb Eltr: http: //urwwrcnrto.gov/rcnrtor/lott. html 

SEN, KAY BAITFT HUTCHISON 

203 SROE 

Wmhlngton DC 20510-f304 

FIX202.22+0176 

unrll : rtnrtor@hutchlron. rnrtr.gov 

Wrb Sho: http://www.tonrt..gov/-hutchlron/ 

Phono ror-Jllfl 

Phonc zoz.zll.Jg\) 

T]DDI 202-224-5903 

SEN. WENOELI H. FORD 

l73A SBOB 

Washlngton DC 20510-1701 

FAX 202-224-0046 

r-mrll: wrndell ford@ford.rnrto.gov 

Wcb Sltc : http : //wrvw.sonrto.gov/ -lotd I 

lD KYI 

Phonc 202-224-4343 

SEN. J. JAMES EXON 

lD NEI 

528 SHOE 

Phone 202-224-4224 


FAX 202-224-521? 

Wcb Site : http://vvwrrv.renetc.gov/ssnator/oxon.html 

SEN. DANIEL K. INOUYE 

722 SHOB 

Phonr zoaezl?gJll 

Wrrhlngrton DC 20510.1102 

loD 202-22+r2t3 

Wcb Slto: http ://wrrvw.renato.gov/tcnator/lnouyc,html 

SEN. RICHARD H. BRYAN 

364 SBOS 

Woshlngrton DC 20510-2E04 

FAX 202-22+1867 

Wcb Slte: hnp : //wnrnr.tenetc.govl3cnrtor/bryen.lrtml 

SEN. JOHN B. BBEAUX 

5t0 sHoB 

Phonc 202-22lP.4t J 


FAX 202-224.4028 . 

r-mrl!: rnrtor@brraur.f onrt..goy 

Wcb Sftr: htfp://rvryuernrtc,gov/ -btcouxl 

SEN. BYRON t. DORGAN 

7r3 SHOE 

Wrrhlngton DC 20510.3f05 

FIX202.22+119? 

r.mrll: ..n.to1@dotgrn,acnrta.goy 

lVlb Sllr: http ://rwrw.mnrlr.gov/-d otgtnl 

Phonr ,or.Jlyrn 

sEN. JOHN D. ROCKEFETTER tV fD VWI 

109 SHoB phonc 2o2-i24-64r2 

Warhlngton OC 20510-{802 

FAX 202.224.7665 or 202.228-4656 

c.mcll : renator@rockefclhr.conat..goy 

Web Slte : http ://rvrvw, rcnoto. gov/ -rockolcller/ 

Phono ,or.2l?l!91

AVIATION SUBCOMMITTEE - HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

2251 Rayburn House Office Bldg., Washington, DC 20515'6257 

REPUBLICANS: Duncan; Wcltcr; Clingcr; Coblc; Zcliff; Ewlng; Hutchinson; Kim; Ehlcrs; Bachus; Scrstrrnd; Tltc; Kclly; 

LrHood; Martini Rcpublicrn Counscl: 226'3220 

DEMOCRATS: Obcrstar; Costcllo; Lipinski; Wise; DcFrzio; Hrycs; Clcmcnl; Collins; Nrdlcr; Danncrl Menerdcz; Clybutn; 

Costcllo; Prrkcr; Lrughlin; Cromcrl Danncr; Brown; Minelr Dcmocrrt Counscl: 225'9161 

REP. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR (R Tru ?] 

ZaoO nHOe Phonc 202-225-5415 

Weshlngton OC 20515'4202 

FAX202-225-6440 

REP. GERALD C. WELLER 

|710IHOB 

Weshlngton DC 20515-131 | 

lR lL-111 

Phonc 202'225'3635 

REP. WILLIAM F. CLINGEB. JR (B PA_sI 

2f6O RHOB Phone 202-225-5127 


FAX 202-22s-{681 

REP. HOWARD COBLE 

/t03 cHoB 

Werhlngton DC 20515-3308 

tilx 202-226.96rr 

REP. BILI ZELIFF 

1210 LHOB 

Weshlngton DC 2051 5-2901 

FAX 202-2254370 

e-meil : rolifl@hr. houso.goy 

Web Sltc : hnp: //www.housc.gov/zclilfl 

In NC-{l 

Phono 202-225-3065 

(R NH-II 

Phono 202-225.il56 

REP. THOMAS W. EWING 

lR rL-151 

t3l7 LHOE 

Phone 202-225-2371 


FAX 202.225-8071 

Web Site: http;//www,house.gov/ewlng/ 

(R AR-31 

1005 LHOB Phone 202'225'4301 

Washlngton DC 20515'0403 

e-mall : timhutch@hr.house.gov 

REP. Y. TIM HUTCHINSON 

REP. JAY C. KIM 

(R CA-fll 

435 CHOB 

Phone 202-225-3201 

Wrrhlngton DC 20515-05{1 

FAX 202-226.185 

Web Slte : http://uruw.house.gov/klm/ 

REP. T/ERNON J. EHLERS 

(R Ml-31 

17r7 LHOB 

Phons 202-225-3831 

Wrshlngton DC 20515-2203 

FAX 202-225-5144 

c-mcll : congehlr@hr.house.gov 

Web Slte: http: //uvww.house,gov/ehlers/ 

REP. SPENCER T. BACHUS, ilt 

lR AL_{l 

127 CHOB phonc ZOi-ZZs_qgZi 

warhlngton DC 20515-0t06 

FAX 202-225-2082 

e-mall: sbochus@hr.house.gov 

REP. ANOREA H. SEASTRAND lR CA-22) 

320 CHOB Phone 202.225.3601 


FAX 202.U5.3426 

e-mall : andrea22@hr.house. gov 

REP. RANDY TATE 

t1r8 LHOE 


EAX 202-225-344 

e-mail: ilate@hr,houso.gov 

Web Site: http://home.wotldwob.net/trte/ 

REP. SUE W KELTY 

r037 LHOB 

Washlngton OC 20515-3219 

e-mall: dearsue@hr.houso.gov 

REP. RAY UHOOD 

320 CHOB 

Wrrhlngton DC 20515-1318 

FN( 202-225-9249 

REP. WILLIAM J. MARNNI 

r5t3 LHOB 

Warhlngton DC 20lit5-3008 

tAx 202-225-3372 

REP. JAMES L. OBERSTAR lD MN-81 

230C RHOB Phonr 202.225-6211 

Wrhlngton OC 20515-230E 

tAx 202-225.0699 

r-mrll : obcntlr@hr.hour.gov 

Wcb Sltr : http : //www.house.gov/obcrstlr/ 

REP. JERRY F. COSTELTO 

lD lt-121 

215{ BHOB Phonr 202.225-5861 

Wrhlngton DC 20515-t312 

FAX 202.226-0285 

o'mrll : f 

lclll 2@hr.hout..gov 

lD tL-31 

f50f IHOB Phonc 202.225-5701 

Wnhlnglon DC 20515-1303 

FAX 202-225-1012 

REP. W|LUAM O. L|PTNSK| 

REP, BOB WISE 

lD u^'-21 

2434 RHOB 

Phonr 202-2?5.2711 

Washlngton DC 20515-f802 

FAX 202-225.7855 

e-mail: bobwlse@hr.housc.gov 

We b Sitc : http : //rvwv.houst.gov/wbo/ 

REP. BOB CTEMENT 

2229 RHOB 

Weshlngton OC 20515-'0205 

FAX 202-220-1035 

o-rnril: clcmcnt@hr.hourc.gov 

lR wA_sl 

Phone 202-225-8901 

(R NY-lel 

Phonc 202-226-5{4l 

lR tl-r8) 

Phonc 202-225-8201 

lR NJ-81 

Phonr 202.225.5151 

REP. PEIER A. DeFAZlo 

2r3{ RHOB 

Warhlngton DC 20515.370{ 

FAX 202-225-0373 

r-mell: pdefulo@hr.houlc.gov 

Wcb Shc: http://da*wlng.uorcgon,cd yl -gdcltzlollndcr.html 

Web Sltc: http://www.house.gov/clemcnt/ 

lD oR-{l 

Phonc 202.225-6418 

lD Tr{-51 

Phonc 202-2251111

AVIATION SUBCOMMITTEE - 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVl 

REp. BARBARA-ROSE COLUNS (D Mt_151 

4Of CHOB 

Phono ZdZ-zzs-ZzOi 

Wrrhlngton DC 20516-2216 

FAX 202-225-6645 

REP. JERROLD NADLER 

lD NY-81 

109 CHOB 

Phone 202-226-5635 

Washlngton DC 20515.3208 

FAJ< 202-226-6923 

e-mall :nadler@hr.houre. gov 

Web Slto: hnp ://rvwrr.housc.gov/nadler/ 

REP. PAT DANNER 

1323 LHOB 


FAX 202-225-8221 

(D MO-{l 

Phone 202-225-7041 

lD NJ-131 

1730 LHOB Phone 2O2-225-7SIS 

Wmhlngton DC 2lt6l5-3013 

FAX202-z2GO702 

Wob Slte: http://www.houre.gov/msnendez/ 

REP. ROBERT MENENDEZ 

lD SC--61 

310 CHOB Phonr 202-225-3315 

Warhlngton DC 20515-f008 

FAX 202-225-2313 

c-mall : lclyburn@hr.hourc.gov 

REP. JAMES E. CTYBURN 

REP. ROBERT E. IBUDI CRAMER, JR lD AL-51 

238 CHOB Phonr 202-225-4801 


FAX 202-226-4352 

c-mall : budmell@hr.house.gov 

Web Sltc: hnp://www.houre.gov/crtmor/ 

REP. CORRINE BROWN 

1010 lHoB 


FAx202-Ut6-2266 

fD FL-31 

Phono 2O2-225-Ol2l 

Thanks for your support. 

Remember the more letters you can write the more impact we 

will have. 

Please ask tandem students and anyone else that has an interest 

in seeing that tandem jumping is a permenant part of our sport, 

to write a letter to their Senator and the members of the 

Aviation Subcommittee. 

Please feel free to use, the sample letter enclosed. 

AII or a portion of the enclosed information may be used in 

your letters. 

dqmz - r.a Sl'rong /

U. S. Senator / U. S. Representative 

Washington, DC. 

Reference: overdue changes to FAR Part 105, administered by the 

Federal Aviation Administration. 

Dear Sir: 

As one of your constituents, I am writing to seek your herp in 

obtaining relief from financial hardship caused by unacceptable and 

unnecessary delays in effecting changes to FAR part 105. 

Specifically, relief is being sought from Exemption 6474 to FAR 

105.43(a). Exemption 6474 is a follow on to Exemptions 4943 and 

4047 which was originally issued in 1984 to allow an experimental 

test program of tandem parachute jumping, (the parachuting 

instructor and the student are under the same parachute). These 

exemptions have been extended annually or semi-annually for the 

last twelve years, thereby forcing tandem jumping to remain an 

experimental test program. 

In 1986, Strong Enterprises and The Relative Workshop, at the FAA,s 

request, petitioned the FAA for a change to FAR part i05. since that 

time no action has been taken to effect this change. In 1993, the 

FAA asked the manufacturers and members of the parachuting 

community to help formulate suggested changes to FAR part tbS rhat 

would be in the best interest of public safety. This ,'committee', of 

skydiving industry volunteers, and a FAA representative, met six 

times over a six month period at various locations in the US at their 

own expense. The resulting recommendations of this "Tandem

Proposal Project Team" have been ignored for the last two and a half 

years, and the FAA has continuod to govern through exemption 

instead of changing the law. 

Your help is needed at this time because tandem jumping has Srown 

into a multi-million dollar business which has suffered unreasonable 

losses in time and money due to: 

1) The fact that the tenuousness of doing business under an 

exemption, and being classified as "experimental", has discouraged 

investments in the tandem jumping industry. 

2) If the exemption were not renewed or it was rescinded, future 

students would be denied the benefits of using the safest method 

of making a parachute jump, needlessly endangering their lives. 

3) The exemption not being renewed before it expired. 

After twelve years and millions of tandem jumps, tandem jumping is 

no longer an "experiment". With nearly three quarlers of a million 

tandem jumps being made annually, we are generating hundreds of 

millions of dollars in revenue. These thousands of business people 

need relief from having to conduct business under an exemption, and 

they need the protection of a change to FAR Part 105 that will allow 

tandem jumping and related businesses to flourish. 

Please initiate an investigation as to why this promised change has 

not occurred (after 12 years), and take the necessary action to bring 

this needed change in the law to fruition. 

Thanking you in advance for your assistance, I look forward to 

hearing from you regarding this matter. 

Respectfully yours,

Ray Fenell Chair 

Bob Sprague 

Mike Eakins 

Dave Smith 

Gina Ferrell 

Pani Chernis 

Rebecca Sharp 

Lowell Bachman Chair 

Dan Poynter Co-Chair 

Dave DeWolf 

George Galloway Chair 

Dan Wilcox Co-Chair 

Al Gramando 

Dave DeWolf 

Lowell Bachman 

BillGerrow 

Ellen Bussemaker 

PIA 1996 Committees 

DZlSport Promotion Committee 

Riesine Committee 

Allen Silver Chair Silver Parachute Sales & Services 

Dave DeWolf Co-Chair 

Para-Loft. Inc. 

Paul Thompson 

Para-Gear Equipment Co. 

Dan Poynter 

Para-Publishing 

Sandy Reid 

Rigging Innovations, Inc. 


Netherlands 

PattiChemis Chair 

Al Gramando Co-Chair 

Jean Beck 

Dori Bachman 

Karen Dean 

Dan Tarasievich 

Lucia Furry 

Patti Chemis Chair 

AlGramando Co-Chair 


Jean Beck 

Dori Bachman 

Bibi LeBlanc 

Karen Dean 

Lucia Furry 

Action Air Parachutes 

Arizona Aero Sports 

Skydive Monterey Bay 

Australian Parachute Federation 


Northern Lite. Inc. 

Greater Kansas City Skydiving 

Headquarters/Museum Committee 

Membershin Committee 

Svmoosium'97 Committee 

Svmnosium'99 Committee 



Para-Loft. Inc. 


Relative Workshop 

ParaTraining Enterprises 

Para-Loft, Inc. 


Performance Textiles. Inc. 

Netherlands 




Para Gear Equipment Co. 

SSK Industries, Inc. 

Para-Phemalia- Inc. 

Altico. Inc. 

Northern Lite, Inc. 


Para-Phernalia. Inc. 

DJ Associates. Inc. 


Performance Designs, Inc. 

SSK Industries. Inc. 

Altico, Inc. 

Risk Manasement Committee 

Chair and committee is Vacant at this time. 

Snecifi cations Committee 

Bill Gerrow Chair 

Perfbrmance Textiles. lnc. 

Buddy McLaurin Co-Chair 

Precision Fabrics Inc. 

John Machado 

Duro lnd., Inc. 

Joe Holder 

Precision Fabrics, Inc. 

Lance Labun 

Simula Government Products 

Vincent Salatino 

HLC - Aerotex 

Michael Beck 


Dan Wilcox 


David Smith 

Australi an Parachute Federation 

Dick Brower 

Life Support Intemational 

John LeBlanc Chair 

Sandy Reid Co-Chair 

CliffSchmucker 


Commu nications Services Committee 

Cliff Schmucker Chair 



Dan Poynter 

Deborah Blackmon 


Beezy Shaw 

George Galloway Chair 

Dan Poynter Co-Chair 


Al Gramando 

Bill Gerrow 

Karen Dean 

Dan Wilcox 

Howard Weiske 

Sandy Reid Chair 

Cliff Schmucker Co-Chair 


Dan Poynter 

Maurice Gionfriddo Chair 

John Machado Co-Chair 


Elek Puskas 

Michael Beck 

Ned Luker 

Peter Sullivan 

Richard Brow 

Nancy LaRiviere 

Lance Labun 

Technical Committee 

Ethics Committee 

Steerins Committee 









The Riggers Source Book 

Netherlands 






Performance Textiles, Inc. 



FXC Corp. 




Para Publishing 

Government Svstems 

MPG Consultants 

Duro Ind., Inc. 


Para-Flite. Inc. 


Parachute Ind. of South Africa 

Performance Textiles, Inc. 

Life Support Intemational 

Parachute Labs, Inc. 

Simula Govemment Products. Inc. 


PNBNEW96

MINUTES SECOND PIA MEETING 

September 13 - 15,1996 

The Second Regular 1996 Meeting of the Parachute 

Industry Association was called to order at 9:15 

A.M. Friday, September 13, 1996 at the Sheraton 

Astrodome Hotel in Houston, Texas, with Cliff 

Schmucker, President, presiding. Roll call 

established a quorum with the following voting 

members present: 

ACTION AIR PARA. Paul Sitter 

ARIZONA AERO SPORT Bob Sprague 

ELLEN BUSSEMAKER 

D J ASSOCIATES Jean Beck 

DURO INDUSTRIES John Machado 

FLITE SUIT CO. Paul Sitter 

GUARDIAN/FXC Alasdair Boyd 

NORTHERN LITE Patti Chernis 

PARA PUBLISHING Dan Poynter 

PARA TRAINING 

PARA-GEAR 

PARA-LOFT 

PARACHUTE LABS 

Al Gramando 

Dori Bachman 

Dave DeWolf 

Joe O'Brien 

PARA. DE FRANCE D. Marcu 

PERFORMANCE DSGN. John LeBlanc 

PERFORMANCE TEXT. Bill Genow 

PIONEER AEROSPACE, Ron Heckman 

PRECISION AERODYN. G.Galloway 

PRECISION FABzuCS F.C.Mclaurin 

RELATIVE WORKSHOP Dan Wilcox 

RIGGING INNOVATIONS Sandy Reid 

SILVER PARACHUTE Allen Silver 

SSK INDUSTRIES C. Schmucker 

SUN PATH 

Pat Thomas 

US ARMY PARA.TEAM A. Serrano 

US ARMY NATICK E. Wuester 

Al Gramando moved to accept the proposed 

Agenda, seconded by Allen Silver. Motion 

approved. 

General introductions were made by everyone 

present. 

Al Gramando made the Motion to approved the 

Minutes of the February 9-ll, 1996 meeting of the 

PIA in San Francisco, seconded by Dan Wilcox. 

Minutes were approved as presented. 

The meeting was closed to full voting members 

only, and the Membership Chairman, George 

Galloway, presented the following list of new 

applicants for membership: 

FULL MEMBERS 

MILLS MANUFACTURING, JAMES 

TURNER, PRESIDENT, ASHEVILLE, NC 

Sponsor, Performance Textiles. 

APPROVED. 

TATLORED FOR SURVTVAL (UPGRADE) 

MOE VALETTO. MARENO VALLEY. CA. 

Sponsor, Membership Com. 

APPROVED 

DIVE RITE, BUZZ ANSLEY, WINCHESTER, 

TN., JUMPS SUIT MFGR. Sponsor, Precision 

Aerodynamics. 

APPROVED. 

FIRST STEP RESEARCH. BILL MOORE. 

MOSCOW, IDAHO, SOFTWARE 

CONSULTANT. Sponsor, Mbrshp. Com. 

APPROVED. 

AFFILIATE MEMBERS 

SHOOTING GALLERY, HANK ELLIS. 

APPROVED. 

DEUTSCHER FALLSCHIRMSPORT 

VERBUND. STEFAN URTLEY. APPROVED. 

The new members and visitors were reseated and 

the meeting continued. 

Nominations were opened for committee chairs for 

Symposium 1999 and for Risk Management. 


PNBNEW96

PATTI CHERNIS was nominated Chairman for 

Symposium 1999. There was no nomination for 

chairman of Risk Management. 

Cliff Schmucker, President, reported no official 

interim action by the Executive Committee, just 

some housekeeping activities. 

George Galloway, Vice President, reported that the 

PIA web site usage was quite extensive. A 

demonstration would be forthcoming later in the 

meeting. 

Dori Bachman, Treasurer, presented the Financial 

Statement for PIA. A copy is attached at the 

conclusion of the Minutes. 

The Secretary, Jean Beck, requested anyone who 

wished a "hard copy" of the Minutes to contact her. 

After a brief break the meeting re-convened with 

the election of Committee chairs. There being no 

additional nominations, the Symposium 1999 

Chairman nominee, PATTI CHERNIS, was 

elected by acclamation. There was no nominee for 

the Risk Management Chairmanship so that 

currently remains vacant. 

Members were requested to give Patti Chernis 

suggestions for Symposium 1999 and 2001 for site 

checkout as well as possible locations for 

September 1997 and February 1998 Regular 

Meeting sites. 

Each Committee Chair gave a brief overview of 

what their committee did in an effon to encourage 

members to join and work on PIA Committees. 

The meeting was then adjourned for a tour of the 

facilities by Astrodome personnel, as this hotel is 

the site for the 1997 Symposium; and for committee 

meetings. 

Dan Poynter then made the following motion: 

MOTION: That the Chairman of the Symposium 

Committee be directed to develop an SOP for 

exhibit space selection, to be discussed in February, 

1997 and decided at the Fall, 1997 meeting. 

SANDY REID SECONDED. 

MOTTON CARRIED. 

Chris Needels, Executive Director of United States 

Parachute Association gave a brief overview of the 

50th Anniversary celebration which USPA 

celebrates this year. There was a solidarity jump 

made at 7:00 p.m. EDT on July 6, at all the drop 

zones around the country, and also in Europe and 

Asia, in addition to a number of other special 

events. USPA now has 33,000 individual members 

and 350 group members; ten percent annual growth 

the past two years each. 

Their focus now is on qualitative service. They are 

adding new, highly skilled staff. New membership 

services director and they have a new membership 

directory available. The new FAAruSPA/PIA 

video tape, "SKYDIVINGTT is now completed and 

it will include the PIA loso. It will come out 

October l. 

There will be a new group membership available 

November l, really not new, just enhanced version 

of the old one. 

Drop zones are now getting more services with the 

new publication, "Professional," new Drop Zone 

Directory which will be sent out in the latest issue 

of PARACHUTIST, and the skydiving aircraft 

operations manual. 

A new 45 day temporary membership. The USPA 

is going to require that all group members be 

USPA members except for tandem jumps. The 

USPA is now comins out of adolescence and into 

maturity. 

Chris then read remarks from Sherry Stricter, 

President of the USPA. 

The Plenary Session re-convened Saturday, 

September 14, at9:07 A.M. with a quorum present. 


PNBNEW96

George Galloway gave a demonstration on the 

Internet connection. He advised that in l2-13 

months over 300,000 visits had been made to the 

web site. 

He demonstrated the 12 PIA Specifications that had 

been put on the web site. 

E-mail Distribution List. You can subscribe to the 

list. There are over 200 subscribers. 

It is very easy to sign up and easy to use. 

After the demonstration, the plenary session was 

adjoumed to committee meetings. 

The Plenary Session re-convened Sunday, 

September l5 at 9: l0 A.M. with a quorum present. 

SPECIAL MUSEUM - Sandy Reid reported. 

There was a great deal of interest in establishing a 

Museum by T. Taylor Brained out of Phoenix. 

Larry Hill of Eloy has offered to donate land to 

build a facility and the climate in the Southwest is 

good. 

We need a business plan setup and a trigger 

mechanism so when it reaches a certain point Larry 

will donate the land and a consortium can be setup 

to handle the establishment of the Museum. 

Possibly USPA and PIA could combine efforts. A 

meeting needs to be set in Eloy soon on exactly 

how to go about doing it. 

The aim would be for a "Parachuting Museum", not 

skydiving only but all types of parachutes. One of 

the biggest sources of future funding maybe 

Corporate Sponsors. 

Additional budget requests were then presented. 

The only additional request came from the 

Specifications Committee. Bill Gerrow requested 

$5,000.00 in additional funding to continue work on 

the PIA Specs. 

Motion to approve the request was made by Al 

Gramando, seconded by Allen Silver. 

Motion carried. 

NEW BUSINESS 

Discussion ensued for the establishment of a new 

Membership category to be added to the Bylaws...it 

would be SUSTAINING MEMBER WITH 

DUES OF $5OO.OO PER YEAR. 

George Galloway made the following motion: 

MOTION: THAT PIA BEGIN THE PROCESS TO 

ESTABLISH A NEW MEMBERSHIP 

CATEGORY CALLED A SUSTAINING 

MEMBERSHIP, WITH DUES TO BE $5OO.OO 

PER YEAR. 

MIKE BECK SECONDED. 

MOTION CARRIED 

Cliff announced that the next meeting of the 

Parachute Industry Association would be held at the 

Sheraton Astrodome Hotel in Houston, Texas on 

February 6,7 and 8, 1997, prior to the Symposium. 

The PIA Intemational Symposium will follow at the 

same location Februarv 9-13. 1997. 

The location for the September,1997 meeting was 

discussed. Meeting dates would be either 

September l2-14 or September 19-21,1997, and the 

following possible locations were then selected: 

San Diego, California 

Chattanooga, Tennessee 

St. Louis, Missouri 

Atlanta, Georgia 

Al Gramando then moved that the Executive 

Committee investigate the above sites and dates and 

make the determination for site and date within 60 

days and get the contract signed. Seconded by 

Allen Silver. 

Motion carried. 

There being no further business to come before the 

meeting, Bill Genow made a motion to adjourn, 

seconded by Sandy Reid. Motion carried. The 

meeting adjourned at I l:00 A. M. 


PNBNEW96

PARJACEUTE IIIDUSTRY ASSOCIATION 

Financial Statenent 

Januarlr 1, 1995 tbrough June 30, 1995 

CURRE}III ASSETS: 

Cash (Checking Account) ... ......$ 1-3,574.73 

Cash (Money Mart Account,) .... 69,609.68 

Accounts Receivable.. 0 - 

(Membership Dues not included) 

PIA Store Inventory... - 0 - 

(December, 1-995, statement will reflect 

actual value of PIA Store) 

Total Current Assets .......$ 83,284.4I 

OTHER ASSETS: 

*Quick & Rei1ly . $128, 793 .00 

(*Money frozen by the Association for 

Building & Museum Fund) 

PIA Computer 

3,L56.66 

TOTAL ASSETS 

$2L5,234.07 

]-995 BUDGETED FTINDS 

BUDGETED SPENT BALANCE 

Communication Services. .....$12,800.00 S 5,445.11......$ 7,354.89 

Technical Committee 9,000.00...... - 0 - 9,000.00 

Membership Committee... 2,000.00...... 29O,26 1-,709.74 

DZ & Sport Promotion... 2,900.00...... - 0 - 2,900.00 

Symposium t97... 20,000.00...... 8,997.52...... II ,002.48 

Rigging Committee 4, 000.00. . . . . . I7 .75 3, 982 .85 

Meeting Rooms & Dinnere 5,000.00...... 3,215.49...... 1,,784.5L 

Executive Committee & Chair Exp... 5,500.00...... - 0 - 5,500.00 

Ethics Committee 500.00 - 0 - 500.00 

Specifications 5,000.00...... - 0 - 5,000.00 

Government Systems Committee 2,500.00...... - 0 - ...... 2.500.00 

TOTALS $59,300.00 s17,95s.53......s51 ,334.4'l 

Prepared by Dori Bachman 

PfA Treasurer

PARAEEUTE IIIDUSTRY ASSOCIATION 

Income Statement 

January 1, L996 through June 30, 1996 

REVENUE: 

Fu1l Membership Fees .......$ 12,550.00 

Affil-iate Membership Fees 4,250.00 

Applications for Membership 2,100.00 

ParaNewsbrief Subscript.ions 1-, 025 . 00 

:.997 Parachute Symposium 10,800.00 

PIA Store... 658.41, 

PIA Dinners. 375.00 

Interest on Money Mart Account 903.44 

Cypres Raf f l-e 4, 000 . 00 

Total Revenue 

...$36,75L.85 

EXPENSES: 

ParaNewsbrief .....$ 

Postage 

PIA Store... 

DZ & Sport Promotion... 

1997 Parachut.e Symposium. . . 

Technical Standards Committee. . 

Membership Committee. . . 

Bank Charges 

Credit Card Service Charges 

Meeting Rooms & Services. . 

Executive Committ,ee & Off . Supp1ies... 

Computer Committee... 

Symposium Refunds.. 

Rigging Committee... 

Corporate Filing Fee. 

Raffl-e Money Transferred t,o 

Quick & Reilly 

3 ,231,.24 

-0 

95 .00 

-0 

8 ,947 .52 

-0 

290.26 

18.20 

233 .6L 

3 ,2r5 .49 

-0 

2 ,2r3 . B'7 

50.00 

L7.L5 

-0 

4, 000 . 00 

Total Expenses ..$22,312.34 

NET TNCOME $14,449 .51, 

Prepared by Dori Bachman 

PIA Treasurer

MEMBERS: 

TECHNICAL COMMITTEE 

John LeBlanc Chair 

Sandy Reid Co-Chair 



Performance Designs 

Rigging Innovations 



The committee met at 3:00pm on Saturday, 

September 14, 1996. All voting members were 

present, as were several other interested people who 

contributed much to the meeting. We went through 

the various projects and updated everyone on 

progress made, the highlights of which are 

described below. 

The purpose of the Technical Committee shall be to 

draft technical documents, recommended 

procedures, and safety bulletins for approval by the 

general membership. The Committee will also 

coordinate its investigations and information with 

outside technical groups as appropriate, and release 

its finding to the public, and the parachuting and 

aviation communities. 

DISCLAIMER 

PIA rules provide that: "All technical reports, 

including standards approved and practices 

recommended, are advisory only. Their use by 

anyone engaged in industry or trade or their use by 

governmental agencies is entirely voluntary. There 

is no agreement to adhere to any PIA standard of 

recommended practice, and no commitment to 

conform to or be guided by any technical report. In 

formulating and approving technical reports, the 

PIA and its committees will not investigate or 

consider patents which may apply to the subject 

matter. Prospective users of these documents are 

responsible for protecting themselves against 

liability for infringement of patents." 

PROJECT ID NUMBER: TC-004 

PROJECT NAME: EQUIPMENT AGING 

STUDY 

COORDINATOR: GeorgeGalloway 

PROJECT GOAL/PURPOSE: To study the 

degradation of strength and performance of modern 

equipment due to exposure to the environment and 

of modern parachuting equipment 

CURRENT STATUS: We are continuing to jump 

parachutes we put in various jumping environments 

approximately | % years ago. The documenting of 

the jumps has been simplified compared to the 

original format, mainly for practical reasons. 

Several samples of fabric have been collected from 

the canopies at periodic intervals, but they haven't 

been tested yet. There are still no harness and 

containers in the study. The various manufacturer 

representatives attending the meeting discussed the 

practicalities and limitations of such a test program. 

Unfortunately, we were unable to improve the 

approach, nor could we justiff scrapping the 

project. Work continues. 


PROJECT NAME: Round Canopy Damage 

Study 

COORDINATOR: Manley Butler 

PROJECT GOAL/PURPOSE: To study the 

incidents of round canopy failures to deterrnine the 

causes. 

PROJECT BACKGROUND: A letter from Dan 

Poynter several years ago prompted this project. In 

his capacity as an expert witness in several lawsuits, 

he has noticed several instances ofround canopy 

damage that seem to form a pattern. He had seen 

enough of this that he felt it warranted further 

investigation. After several years of inactivity on 

this project, we considered scrapping it. 

However, Manley Butler volunteered to champion 

the project approximately a year ago. 

STATUS: Unfortunately, Manley's attempts to find 

reliable information on these reported failures have 

not been successful. Therefore, the committee 

decided that this project be placed on an inactive 

status. 


PNBNEW96

PRO.IECT ID NUMBER: TC-O17 

PRO.IECT NAME: DUAL SQUARE 

DEPLOYMENT STUDY #2. 

COORDINATOR: Rusty Vest 

PROJECT GOAL/PURPOSE: To further the study 

of interaction of Ram-air main and reserve canopies 

by testing high performance canopies with small 

reserves, as well as mismatched canopies. 

PROJECT BACKGROUND: The dual square TC- 

015 project completed by the USAPT certainly 

answered many questions about the dual square 

situation in a student environment, but it also led to 

many questions about whether this information 

could be safely applied to experienced jumpers 

equipment as well. The TC-01 5 project concluded 

that more investigation needs to be done, so a new 

study was undertaken. 

CURRENT STATUS: To date, 47 dual square 

jumps have been made to compliment the jumps 

made as part of the previous project TC-01 5. In 

most cases. the data we have obtained bolsters the 

results previously presented, though there have 

been a few problems with certain scenarios. There 

have been six jumps made during which the main 

and reserve were deployed simultaneously, or 

within two seconds of each other in both possible 

orders. We still need to do some more of these 

jumps on smaller, higher performance canopies. 

unfortunately, this is a very complex project, and 

the big job of compiling the results of these jumps 

is going much slower than we had hoped. Since this 

is a volunteer eflbrt that combines people and 

equipment from four different manufacturers, 

finding enough time to devote to a concentrated 

review of the videos has been difficult. Still, there 

seems to be some common practices in the field that 

the study indicates are in error, so the immediate 

focus is now on creating a basic list of do's and 

don'ts for approval and release. The issue of 

providing a more complete report that covers all 

possible scenarios will come after this has been 

accomplished. The finaljumps are planned for 

October, and a complete and final report is 

anticipated at the Symposium. 

T8-260 REVIEW AND UPDATE: During the 

meeting Cliff Schmucker mentioned the need to 

review and update TB-260, which is the results of a 

poll taken some time ago of hamess and container 

manufacturers and AAD manufacturers. It lists who 

can install which AADs in what systems. Since 

there are new harness and containers as well as new 

AADs now on the market, T8-260 is obviously in 

need of an update. Cliff has volunteered to 

undertake this task. 


PROJECT NAME: Mini Ring Riser Study. 

COORDINATOR: Cliff Schmucker 

PROJECT GOAL/PURPOSE: To evaluate the 

current status of Type-17 riser design and 

coordinate data among manufacturers. 

PROJECT BACKGROUND: In the past 3 years 

there have been l4 reported Type-17 riser failures. 

STATUS: Active. 

COMPLETION DATE: Ongoing. 

SUMMARY: The subject of Type-17 riser failure 

has received widespread publication and discussion. 

PIA Techcom has created and distributed a Riser 

Failure Reporl Form. 

Along with the gathering of information, several 

manufacturers have undertaken to test existing 

Type-17 riser designs. As a result of these tests, 

they have re-configured their Type- l7 designs to 

reinforce the 3-ring section of the riser. 

Other companies have adopted other designs. The 

study was recently renamed "Mini Ring Riser study 

because of a failure on a Type 8 mini riser that was 

mounted on a large ring harness during a testing 

program. 

Other business: 

L 

Report from Sandy Reid on the CAMI 

restraint testins 


PNBNEW96

2. Dual square testing interim report 

3. Choose a successor to replace Linda 

Scalfano to coordinate the equipment 

aging study. 

4. Small/narrow rig letter from Airtec 

5. Mini ring distortion in Marana. 

6. Find a coordinator for TC 016. or delete it! 

7. Standardization of color names. 

SYMPOSIUM'97 COMMITTEE 

Members Present: 

Patti Chernis Chair 


Jean Beck 

Dori Bachman 

Karen Dean 

Lucia Furry 



ParaTraining Ent. 




Altico. Inc. 

Para-Phernalia. Inc. 

The committee revisited the decision not to have 

banquet entertainment at the request of several 

members. It was decided to have a guitarist at the 

opening reception and a DJ (not Associates) at the 

closing banquet. Light background music costs 

very little and adds a bit of color to the event. 

Some brainstorming for new ideas for generating 

sponsorships produced little in the way of ideas but 

it did result in several new sponsorships. Everyone 

is reminded that this year the sponsors logo or name 

may also be placed on sponsored items. 

Allen Silver is looking into the feasibility of doing a 

demo jump into the hotel during the event. He will 

need sponsorship to support the entire jump. 

We will not be having Dan Poynter's Meet the 

Manufacturer's Forum. Instead Dan is putting 

together a historical perspective of the industry to 

celebrate the 2Oth Anniversary of PIA. 

Patti Chernis has been in contact with the IPC 

President, Claude Gillard, regarding the possibility 

of having the 1999 IPC meeting along with the 

Symposium. This would certainly be convenient 

for members of both associations. The 1997 IPC 

meeting is one week prior to our event and will be 

held in Kenya. Needless to say, this creates 

enorrnous logistical and financial problems for 

some people who would like to attend both 

meetings. 

The Symposium Committee will purchase an 

AirBlade. This will be used a various skydiving 

events around the world to promote PIA and the 

Symposiums. An AirBlade is a bright, colorful flag 

type wind indicator that have become the rage in 

skydiving. They are very attractive and eyecatching. 

This year exhibitors and sponsors of more 

than a $500.00 sponsorship may fly their Blades at 

the Symposium. Others who wish to fly their 

Blades may do so for a $200.00 fee. 

We have decided to look into the feasibility of 

printing in the program the names of all preregistered 

attendees. This will depend on the cost 

added to getting the program printed. 

We are in need of a few volunteers willing to work 

a couple of hours each at the Symposium. Tasks 

vary from manning the Exhibit Hall door, helping 

with the registration bags, monitoring classrooms 

and helping with the Riggers Continuing Education 

Program. 

Please call Patti Chemis e60-893-61I I fax 1999). 

SYMPOSIUM'99 COMMITTEB 

Members: 

Patti Chernis Chair 


BiBi LeBlanc 

Jean Beck 

Dori Bachman 


Karen Dean 

Lucia Furry 


ParaTraining Ent. 




Para-Phernalia, Inc. 


Altico. Inc. 

We began with a briefing from Patti on the hotel 

site selection process. This discussion centered on 

the factors of dates/rates, meeting space size, 


PNBNEW96

exhibit hall space requirements, logistics and 

dcmographics. 

Cities were then recommended by all those in 

attendance. Because of the time investment in 

investigating each city the list was limited to eight 

cities; Reno, Atlanta, San Diego, Houston, St. 

[,ouis, Orlando, Chattanooga, and Nashville. 

A very inviting proposal has already been received 

fiom San Diego. 

At the next PIA meeting the comrnittee will address 

the plans for selling exhibit hall space. Exhibitors 

who have ideas about how booth space may best be 

sold are invited to send the proposal to Patti or 

bring it to the meeting in Ilouston. We have such a 

srnall exhibit hall venue that no "bad booths" exist. 

Members: 

HEADQUARTERS/MUSEUM 

COMMITTEE 

Lowell Bachman Chair Para Gear Equipment Co. 

Dan Poynter Co-Chair Para Publishing 

Dave DeWolf 

Para Loft. Inc. 

Since our last meetins there have been no donations 

to the museum. 

The market value of our headquarters Quick & 

Reilly account on August 30, 1996 was 

$130,184.00. 

Headquarlers: A poll was made of committee 

chairs and we found that only 35- 40 hours a month 

would be required of a paid employee. The 

exception noted is the symposium committee whose 

time requirements would range from very little to 

virtually full time.iust prior to symposium. 

This brings us to the work that Chris Needels did: 

USPA/PlA Headquarters management first look 

proposal. 

In shoft, the estimated cost is $54,265.00 per year. 

Needless to say, this would use up all cash in 3 to 4 

years. I strongly suggest we hold off making a 

decision until after symposium '97. 

Between symposium and our fall meeting we 

should be able to plan things out much more 

smoothly, i.e. additional finances, eliminate some 

current costs, negotiate with USPA fbr exactly what 

we need, and hiring a (probably part-time) person. 

Note: there are some good Washington, DC 

prospects out there. 

Motion that any profits from Symposium '9J be 

deposited into the PIA Headquarters accounts. 

GOVERNMENT SYSTEMS 

COMMITTEE 

(This report is taken from the Secretary's notes.) 

John Machado, Co-Chair, reporting: 

The committee discussed how to communicate back 

to the membership how to deal with and work with 

the Government. They felt that they would use the 

Para NewsBrief and list seminars available 

members could go to, participate in and learn "Who, 

What, Where and How." 

Committee deterrnined they could go no where 

without the cooperation of the Army, Air Force, 

Navy etc. and their technical people and people they 

have responsible for parachute products as well as 

the involvement of the big military contractors that 

are out there. The committee will solicit 

representatives from all those areas to make sure it 

has a well rounded group. 

Also discussed mil-spec changes and what is 

happening with the new perfonrance specs. 

Members: 

STEERING COMMITTEE 

Sandy Reid Chair Rigging Innovations, Inc. 

Cliff Schmucker Co-Chair SSK Industries, Inc. 

Lowell Bachman Para Gear Equip. Co. 

Dan Poynter 


Para Ne'uvsBrief - December 1996 

PNBNEW96

Attendees: 

George Galloway Precision Aerodynamics, lnc. 

Paul Sitter 

Flite Suit, Inc. 

Chris Needels USPA Executive Director 

After reviewing old business, the main topic of 

discussion revolved around the membership of 

other group organizations within PIA and their 

relationship to PIA. At present there are two other 

organizations that are members of PIA. They are 

the Australian Parachute Federation, a full member, 

and the recently joined German DFV. An 

application had been received from the United 

States Base Association from Jean Boenish. She 

wanted to know if by joining there would be a 

conflict of interests. This was an issue that would 

have repercussions on other group applications as 

well. 

After much discussion, those present felt that 

membership by other member organizations such as 

USA and foreign Aero Clubs was entirely 

appropriate. PIA serves as a forum for those 

organizations to interact with the International 

Parachute Industry to keep their members abreast of 

advances in technology and to offer feedback to the 

PIA members concerning their products and 

services. The level of membership would be 

according to the applicant's level of involvement 

and financial commitment. 

ETHICS COMMITTEE 

Members: 

George Galloway Chair Precision Aerodynamics 

Dan Poynter Co-Chair Para Publishing 

Lowell Bachman Para Gear Equipment Co. 

Al Gramando 


Bill Genow 

Performance Textiles- Inc. 

Dan Wilcox 


Karen Dean 

SSK Industries, lnc. 

Howard Weiske 

FXC Corp. 

There was no new business. The Code of 

Professional Responsibility has not yet been put 

on the website. but it will be. 

It will be included in the information package made 

available to all new members also. 

May also always be included in the PARA 

NEWSBRTEF (rF POSSTBLE). 

COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES 

Members: 

Cliff Schmucker Chair 



Dan Poynter 

Beezy Shaw 


Deborah Blackmon 

PROJECT l. Bulletin Board 

Project has been discontinued. 

SSK Industries. lnc. 

ParaTrainin g Enterprises 

Precision Aerodynam ics 


Preci sion Aerodynamics 

Netherlands 

The Riggers Source Book 

PROJECT 2. FAX on Demand 

Project discontinued. The information is now 

available on the web site. Usage has been very, 

very good. There is a message on the existing 

telephone line that tells users how to get to the web 

site. 

PROJECT 3. Membership Roster and Industry 

Directory 

On going. The membership directory is available 

on the web site. 

PROJECT 4. PARA NEWSBRIEF 

Al Gramando, Editor 

The August issue will be on the web site in a week 

and soon the April '96 issue will be on line. 

Probably can't go back any fuither. 

PROJECT 5. PIA Publications Binder 

On going. It will soon also be available on the web 

site or through the PIA Store. 


PNBNEW96

PROJECT 6. PIA Store. Para-Publishing handles 

this, Dan Poynter reporting. 

All Accounting has now been put on Quicken. 

Twelve PIA specs are now on the PIA website. A 

notice to this effect will so out in the next 

symposium mailing. 

No inventory of specifications. Everything is in the 

Computer, if someone needs a hard copy just print 

one out and mail it. 

We need more products... 

PROJECT 9. PIA Letterheads. 

Any Committee Chairs or Executive Committee 

needing letterheads notify Cliff. Jean Beck did. 

PROJECT 8. Internet Connection. 

After our meeting in March, 1995, George 

Galloway was appointed to head the project. It was 

felt we needed an on-line presence on the 

worldrvide web. With the help of A C Software the 

project was set up and running shortly thereafter. 

We now have our own address www.pia.com. 

We are currently offering on the web site 

l. Service Bulletins 

2. A directory of all of our services 

3. Links to members own individual home pages. 

4. PARA NEWSBRIEF is going on line. 

5. e-mail forwarding system. 

6. PIA offering as membership benefit web space. 

If you do not currently have a web site you can 

use the PIA site. If you need help in setting up a 

website see Bill Moore of FSR. 

7. PIA Store iterns are now on line, and items can 

be ordered by credit card. 

A note on the Service Bulletin System. All service 

bulletins are now available from one source. 

Deborah Blackmon collected every U. S. based 

bulletin and it is on line and Ellen Bussemaker will 

try to collect the European bulletins to be forwarded 

to Beezy Shaw for installation on the web site. 

DZISPORT PROMOTION COMMITTEE 

Members: 

Ray Ferrell Chair Action Air Parachutes 

Paul Sitter, Co-Chair 

Flite Suit 

Bob Sprague 

Arizona Aero Sports 

Chris Needels 

USPA Liaison 

Patti Chernis Northern Lite Enterprises 

Rebecca Sharp Greater Kansas City Skydiving 

Dave Smith Australian Parachute Federation 

Mike Eakins 

Skydive Monterey Bay 


Gina Ferrell 

Attendees: 

Beezy Shaw 

Al Gramando 

Mike Turoff 

Current status on projects: 

Preci sion Aerodynamics 

ParaTraining Enterpri ses 

Skydiver 

D2002-DZ Poster/Flyer Proj ect 

Budgeted at $900. Thanks to Patti Chernis for her 

work on the poster which she will present at this 

meeting. Chris Needels, USPA will print and 

distribute the poster. PIA will pay cost. Patti will 

provide camera ready art by October. 

D2003 -FAA/PIA/USPA Skydiving Video 

Budgeted at $2,000. Money will be paid to USPA 

upon invoicing. Will be shown at AOPA Expo in 

October. Jeppson will provide video by l0/1. 

USPA will bill us then. 

D2004-Drop Zone Insurance. 

Recommend project be canceled. 

D2005 -Standardized Train ing Video 

Ray Fenell has acquired PADI video scuba 

program as well as Hershey Systems. No further 

action now. 

D2006-Survey "Public Perception of Skydiving" 

David Smith furnished copy of Australian survey. 

Quote from Meta Information Services for sampling 

of 400 was $8.658.40. Did not see benefit to PIA 

proportionate to cost. Info was forwarded to USPA. 

Para NewsBrief - December | 996 

PNBNEW96

NEW BUSINESS. 

Discussion of Tony Frost's letter concerning 

professional packers in light of FAR 105.43 

and 65.1 I 1(b). 

PIA's position is thatDZ's must insure FARs are 

followed. Techniques for doing this include: 

A. Require packers to work for DZ under 

supervision or be rigger rated. 

B. Provide supervision through existing 

riggers. 

Disseminate info through PIA PARA NEWSBRIEF 

and USPA "PROFESSIONAL." 

stating they intended to request a change to FAR 

105 and it was suggested that PIA re-submit Part 

65, Subpart F, together with any revisions, along 

with their request. After much discussion, it was 

decided to do this. Paul Thompson, 

Dave DeWolf, Pat Thomas, Ellen Bussemaker and 

Bill Moore were furnished copies to review and 

send back to Allen with suggestion and changes by 

October l, 1996. Allen will then finalize a revised 

copy, have the committee members approve it and 

send it on to USPA. 

NOTE: There are some good Washington D.C. 

prospects out there. 

RIGGING COMMITTEE 

Members: 

Allen Silver Chair Silver Parachute Sales & Service 

Dave DeWolf Co-Chair 

Para Loft, Inc. 

Sandy Reid 



Netherlands 

Dan Poynter 


Paul Thompson 


Discussed Symposium'97 and some of the 

classroom subjects that would be available. We 

need to make sure that everyone who signs up for 

the Continuing Education Program leaves with a 

Certificate in their hand to avoid the confusion 

encountered at the last Symposium. 

The Rigging Incident Report (RC-001) has been 

completed and ratified by those in attendance. It 

will be put into final fornrat and submitted at the 

February 1997 meeting for assignment of a 

technical standard number. 

Asked everyone to try to come up with questions 

and topics of discussion for the Rigging Forum to 

be held at the Symposiunr. No suggestions were 

submitted. 

Final Topic...FAR Part65, Subpart F. 

A letter was received from the USPA Government 

Relations Committee of the Board of Directors 

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE 

Members: 

George Galloway Chair Precision Aerodynamics 

Dan Wilcox Co-Chair Relative Workshop 

Al Gramando ParaTraining Enterprises 

Dave DeWolf 

Para-Loft, Inc. 

Lowell Bachman Para Gear Equipment Co. 

Bill Genow Performance Textiles. Inc. 


Netherlands 

The Membership Application has been reviewed 

and changed where necessary. 

The Membership SOP is okay. 

A new logo sheet has been developed with 

"Parachute Industry Association" written out. lt 

will be reprinted and distributed to all members. 

The committee discussed the relationship with other 

organizations and did not feel a problem existed. If 

an organization desired membership in the PIA they 

can submit an application and it will go through the 

regular procedure. 

There were no additionalNew Members 

Applications for consideration at this time. 

No motions to be made. 

Para NewsBrief - December 1996

-l'he new logo as used on the PIA Specifications will 

be adopted for SOPs. 

At the present time the new category of 

"Sustaining" membership has been dropped. 

SPECI FICATIONS COMMITTEE 

Members: 

Bill Gerrow Chair Performance Textiles, Inc. 

Buddy McLaurin Co-Chair Precision Fabrics, Inc. 

John Machado 

Duro Ind., Inc. 

Mike Beck 


Dan Wilcox 


Joe Holder 

Precision Fabrics, Inc. 

Lance Labun Stimula Government Products 

Vincent Salatino 

HLC - Aerotex 

David Smith Australian Parachute Federation 

Dick Brower 

Life Support International 

There were 8 additional attendees present. 

The adoption of military specs to PIA Commercial 

Specifications and how to handle the transition and 

re-naming of the specs was reviewed. Only the 

name will change, nothing in the specifications at 

this time. Dan Poynter has 12 ready now and 38 

will be ready soon. The new PIA Specifications are 

in the web site and will be available to purchase by 

the end of October. Procedures and policies for 

handling on-line distribution and charges will be 

available on the web site and in PARA 

NEWSBRIEF. 

It was suggested we contact liaisons with the 

following government agencies. 

l. Natick -- Erwin Wuester 

2. Marines-- Erwin will provide name 

3. DGSC -- Kim Henson 

4. Kelly AFB -- James Barnett 

5. TrosiAdcom -- Marie Pendergast 

6. Navy -- Randy Baker, China Lake 

7. Forestry Service -- Dave Pearce 

8. US Coast Guard -- (Manly Butler will provide) 

9. SAE -- James Bamett 

I O. SAFE, IFAI, NASA, A'fF, DEA & FBI 

(Mike Beck will provide names) 

There was considerable conversation with different 

ideas of how the mil specs should be titled and the 

numbering format to be used. Also, a discussion 

was held on how to implement PIA Specifications 

within the military drawings and requirements 

areas. 

Visits will be made in the coming months to Kelly 

AFB Life Support Group, U.S. Army Natick RD&E 

Labs and DPSC to further refine both our 

specifications and the process of implementation. 

Additional contacts will be made with other groups, 

suppliers and manufacturers. 

Additional monetary funds are needed to finish 

specifications project. $5000.00 will be requested. 

Sub-committees were formed with members in their 

areas of expertise. They are: 

FABRICS - Bill Gerrow, Perform. Text. 

HARDWARE - Mike Beck. D J Assoc. 

TAPE, WEBBING, CORD & THREAD 

Mike Beck, D J Associates 

SYSTEMS -Canopies & Containers - 

Ron Heckman, Pioneer Aerospace 

TESTING - John Machado. Duro Ind. 

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS -BiII 

Gerrow, Performance Texti les 

Joe Holder will be in charge and put together a list 

of information by company or manufacturer. He 

will initiate and develop an SOP proposal for 

change and a change form. 

ParaNewsBrief - December 1996 

PNBNEW96

PIA Products 

The Parachute Industry Association has funded a 

number of products in the interest of parachuting 

safety. Products are available to both member firms 

and others. The PIA Store is operated by Dan 

Poynter, D-454. 

Malfunction Photosraphs 

A set of seven full-color photographic prints 

measuring II" x 17" (28 x 43 cm). These 

malfunction photographs are all taken from the 

point of view of the jumper (looking up). They are 

designed to be mounted on cardboard and used in 

the first jump course: Hold them over the student in 

the suspended harness to prompt the appropriate 

emergency procedure. The photographs show abag 

lock, line over, end cell closure, line twists, slider 

hang up, etc. A must for every skydiving school. 

XPHOTOS $30.00 to members, $40.00 to 

non-members. 

Shipping: U.S., at shipping included. 

Foreign, air shipping $9.00 per set. 

Malfunction Slides 

Same as the malfunction photographs but in 35 mm 

slide format. Slides may be used in the malfunction 

recognition portion of the first jump course or my 

be projected on the ceiling with the student in the 

suspended harness. 

XSLIDES $30.00 to members, $40.00 to 

non-members 

Shipping: U.S., air shipping included. 

Foreign: air shipping $2.50 per set. 

Safetv Posters 

PIA publishes a series of safety posters which are 

designed to be posted at parachute centers. Each is 

black on yellow and measures I I " x 17" (28 x 43 

cm). 

Safetv Poster #l 

Main Canopy Malfunctions. All of the ramair 

canopy malfunctions are described and 

emergency procedures are suggested. 

XPOSTI $2.00 to members, $3.00 to nonmembers 


Foreign: air shipping $1.00 each. 

Safetv Poster #2 

3-Ring Maintenance. Inspection and 

maintenance procedures for this popular canopy 

release system. 

XPOST2 52.00 to members, $3.00 to nonmembers 


Foreign: air shipping $ 1.00 each. 

Safetv Poster #3 

Skydiving Basic Rules of the Air. Right-ofway 

(when converging, approaching head-on, 

overtaking and landing) both in freefall and under 

the canopy. 

XPOST3 $2.00 to members, $3.00 to nonmembers 

Shipping: US air shipping included. 

Foreign: air shipping $1.00 each. 

Set of all three posters. 

XPOSTX $5.00 to members, $7.00 to nonmembers 


Foreign: air shipping $2.00 per set. 

Drop Zone Promotion Posters 

Full color, 8.5" x ll" (22 x 28 cm) poster 

describing skydiving training. Just the right size for 

college and other bulletin boards. Blank panel ready 

for your address rubber stamp imprint. An 

inexpensive advertising aid for drop zones. 


PNBNEW96

XCPOSX $9.00 per hundred to members, 

$ 12.00 per hundred to non-members 

Shipping: U.S., air shipping $3.00 for first 

hundred, $1.00 for each additional hundred. 

Foreign shipping, per hundred, $3.00 

surface, $12.00 air. 

XCPOSI Sample $ I .00, postage included. 

Drop Zone Promotion Brochures 

Fufl-color, 8.5" x 11" (22 x 28 cm) brochures 

describing the sport of skydiving designed for 

parachute center use. Photos and text describe the 

skydiving training, equipment, Tandem jumps and 

the adventure of the sporl. Order folded and rubber 

stamp your center address and telephone number in 

the 3" x 4.25" (7.6 x I I cm) back panel or order flat 

and have the brochures printed or run them through 

a photocopy machine. An inexpensive advertising 

aid for drop zones. Specify flat or folded. 

XBROX $8.00 per hundred to members, 

$ I I .00 per hundred to non-members. 

Shipping: U.S., air shipping $3.00 for first 

hundred. S1.00 for each additional hundred. 

Foreign shipping, per hundred, $3.00 

surface, $12.00 air. 

XBROI Sample $1.00, postage included. 

PIA Documents 

All the Parachute Industry Association publications 

in a three-ring report folder. Included are the 

Bylaws, all the PIA Technical Standards, Technical 

Bulletins, SOPs and other documents: Over 100 

pages in all. A PIA directory (see next item) is also 

included. One copy of PIA Documents is included 

with PIA membership. 

XDOC $15.00 to members, $25.00 to nonmembers 


Foreign: air shipping $4.00 

PIA Mailine List 

Nearly 600 names, addresses, telephone and fax 

numbers for the parachute industry in the U.S. and 

abroad. Both PIA members and non-members. A 

copy is included with PIA Documents (above). 

XLIST $2.00 to members. $5.00 to nonmembers 

XLSTD On IBM disk. $10 to members. $20 

to non-members 


Foreign: air shipping $ I .00 

PIA logo in blue and white with gold trim, 5/8" 

wide with clutch back. For members only. New! 

XPIN $5.00 


Foreign: air shipping $ I .00 

To order from the 

PIA Store 

I Telephone orders: 

In the U.S.: Call Para Publishing toll free l(800) PARAPUB 

(727-2782). 

Foreign: Caf l Para Publishing (805) 968-7277. 

Have your Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Optima or American 

Express card ready. 

fl Fax orders: 

(805) 968-1379. Include credit card number, expiration date 

and exact cardholder name on card. 

f, Postal Orders: 

PIA Store, PO Box 8206-4, Santa Barbara, CA 931 18-8206, 

USA, Make cheques payable to Parachute Industry 

Association. Credit cards, include number, expiration date and 

exact cardholder name on card. 

Payment. 

PIA is a volunteer-run organization. We do not have the 

facilities or time to operate an accounts receivable department. 

We do not extend credit. Sending an order requesting billing 

will only delay it. On the other hand, we do accept cheques 

and credit cards. Foreign orders, please make cheques payable 

in U.S. funds, drawn on a US bank. International Postal 

Money Orders are preferred. 

Sales tax: 7.75%o sales tax will be charged to orders shipped 

to California addresses unless you send your resale number. 

Satisfaction guaranteed: Order any PIA product and look 

it over. If it is not precisely what you want, return it for a full 

refund, at any time, for any reason. No questions asked. You 

can't lose! 


PNBNEW96

Bl1!$pecincallons 

The Parachute Industry Association has adopted 

over 275 Military Specifications and is maintaining 

them as Commercial Specifications. They are being 

added to this list as they are converted.. 

You may order paper editions by 

telephone/maillfaxJe-mail or you may save time and 

money by ordering and retrieving electronic 

editions from the PIA Web site. See the ordering 

instructions at the end of this document. 

PIA-C-3395-J (formerly MIL-C-3395J), Cloth, 

Netting: Nylon or Polyester. This cloth is intended 

for use in tentage and equipage items. 

#3395 l6 pages, I illustration. Electronic: $25.00; 

Paper $35.00 

PIA-W-4088-K (formerly MIL-W-4088K), 

Webbing, Textile and Nylon This webbing is 

intended for use in parachutes and their accessories, 

tow target reinforcement, safety belt, bomb hoists 

and slings, tie down equipment, and overrun 

barriers. The type XXVII webbing is intended for 

use in the manufacture of aeronautical safety 

equipment. The type XXVIII is used for the cover, 

water canteen, 2 quart collapsible. TypesVIIIb and 

VIIIc are used in load carrying equipment. 

#4088 36 pages, 9 illustrations. Electronic: $25.00; 

Paper $35.00 

PIA-T-5038-H (formerly MIL-T-5038H), Tape, 

Textile and Webbing, Textile, Reinforcing, Nylon. 

This tape and webbing is intended for binding and 

reinforcing applications in parachute packs and for 

equipage. 

#5038 20 pages, 3 illustrations. Electronic: $25.00; 

Paper $35.00 

PIA-C-5040-H (formerly MIL-C-5040H), Cord, 

Fibrous and Nylon. This cord is intended for use as 

personnel parachute suspension lines and is also 

used with various equipage items. 

#5040 l9 pages. Electronic: $25.00; Paper $35.00 

PIA-T-5608-G (formerly MIL-T-5608G), Tape, 

Textile: Webbing Textile. This tape is intended for 

use in the fabrication of parachutes of tape-type 

construction known as "ribbon parachutes". 


PIA-C-7020-H (formerly MIL-C-7020-H), Cloth, 

Parachute, Nylon-Rip Stop and Twill Weave. The 

primary use of this cloth is in the manufacture of 

ejection and non-ejection parachutes for personnel, 

cargo parachutes and other types of deceleration 

devices. However, it may be used as a base cloth in 

coated fabrics for other applications. 

#7020 23 pages, 6 illustrations. Electronics: 

$25.00; Paper $35.00 

PIA-C-7219-F (formerly MIL-C-7219F), Cloth, 

Duck and Nylon The cloth covered by this 

specification is intended for use in the manufacture 

ofparachute packs and other equipage. 


PIA-C-7350-G (formerly MIL-C-7350G), Cloth, 

Parachute and Nylon These fabrics are intended 

for use in cargo parachutes, aircraft deceleration 

systems and special deceleration systems. 

#7350 20 pages, 6 illustrations. Electronic: $25,00; 

Paper $35.00 

PIA-C-7515-F (formerly MIL-C-7515F), 

Cord, Nylon and Coreless.. This cord is intended 

for use in cargo type parachutes. Type XI cord is 

intended for use as tow cables. Type Ia and Illa 

cord are intended for low cost parachutes. 

#7515 l3 pages. Electronic: $25.00; paper $35.00 

Para NewsBrief - December 1996

PIA-W-27265-E (formerly MIL-W-272658), 

Webbing, Textile and Woven Nylon Impregnated. 

'l'he webbing is intended for use in parachutes and 

their accessories, tow target reinforcement, safety 

belts, bomb hoists and slings, tie-down equipment 

and overrun barriers. 

#27265 15 pages. Electronic: $25.00; Paper 

s35.00 

PIA-C-87129-A (formerly MIL-C-87 l29A), Cord, 

Fibrous, Aramid Braided.. Cord covered by this 

specification is intended for use in cargo-type 

parachutes. 

#87129 ll pages. Electronic: $25.00; Paper 

$3s.00 

PIA-T-87130 (formerly MIL-T-87130 (USAF)), 

Tape and Webbing, Textile, Para-Aramid, 

Intermediate Modulus. The webbing covered by 

this specification is intended for use in parachutes 

and their accessories 

#87130 14 pages,9 illustrations. Electronic: 

$25.00; Paper $35.00 

Specs Department still 

under construction. 

Much, Much More to 

come! 

How to Order 

Electronic edition. (Less expensive because we 

do not have to print or inventory them). Instant 

delivery, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

Web site: Log on to: http://www.pia.com and pay 

with a credit card. You save shipping charges, 

handling fees and sales taxes. 

Paper edition. Shipped by Air Mail. Add $4.00 

per Report to the Paper edition charge and add 

7.75% sales tax if you are in California. 

El telepnone: Call Para Publishing at (800) 

PARAPUB. Provide your credit card number, 

expiration date and the name on the card. 

fl nlX your order to (805) 968-1379. Provide 

your credit card number, expiration date and the 

name on the card. 

E e-mail your order to store@pia.com. Provide 

you credit card number, expiration date and the 


X Post: Send your order to PO Box 8006-650, 

Santa Barbara. CA 931l8-8006 USA. Provide 

your credit card number, expiration date and the 



PNBNEW96

Parar;ltutt" Inilustry lssricir,tirin 

1997 International Symposium 

Feb. 9-13, 1997 

Sheraton AstroDome Houston, Texas 

Symposium Registration Form 

(Please type or Print legibly) 

NAME OF APPLICANT Last/Family First Middle lnitial 

ADDRESS 

STATE POSTAL CODE COUNTRY 

PHONE FAX E-MAIL ADDRESS 

SIGNATURE 

DATE 

Check here if you would like PIA membership information 

The registration fee is $275.00/person. If you register before December 15, 1996 , it is only $175.00 

All PIA members will be given an additional $25.00 discount for early registration 

Complete *r, and return with full payment to: 

PIA Symposium Office / Cheryl Zimmermann 

"rrn 

208 East Rosehill Avenue 

Deland, Florida 32724 USA 

(904) 738-6899 telephone / fax I fax-on-demand 

or (904)734-6323 fax 

or Symposium@pia.com 

lf paying by check, please ensure they are drawn on a US Bank in US Funds and made payable to PIA 

or you can charge it by filling out the bottom portion of this form 

Amount $ Charge to: _ Master Card Visa (Bank Americard) AmEx 

Account Number: 

Exp. Date 

Cardholder's Name 

Cardholder's Address 

City State Country 

Si gnature of cardholder 

Canceflation policy: All cancellations must be received in writing prior to l/20/97 for a full refund 


9TRECIST.DOC

DIRECTIONS AND MAP OF GREATER HOUSTON AREA 

The Gallerla 

SHEMTON 

ASTRODOME 

HOTEL 

FROM 

Intercontinental Airport: Will Clayton Parlrway to 59 South 

to 288 South to 610 West - Exit Kirbv. 

Hobby Airport: Broadway Street to 45 North to 610 West - 

Exit Kirby. 

Austin: 290 East to 610 South to 610 East - Exit Kirby, or 7l 

South to I-10 East to 610 South to 610 East - Exit Kirbv. 

New Orleans/Lake Charles: I-10 to 610 South to 610 West - 

Exit Kirby. 

Dallas: I-45 South to 288 South (via 59 South) to 610 West - 

Exit Kirby.

Paracltute Inilustrl lssrlr;iatirln 

1997 International Symposium 

Feb. 9-13, 1997 

Sheraton AstroDome Houston. Texas 

Exhibitor Registration Form 

(Please type or Print legibly) 

NAME OF COMPANY 

(As you would like it to appear on your booth) 

NAME OF APPLICANT Last/Family First Middle Initial 

ADDIIESS 

STATE POSTAL CODE COUNTRY 

PHONE FAX E-MAIL AI)DRESS 

PRODUCTS EXHIBITED (Please be specific) 

NTJMBER OF BOOTHS 

SIGNATURE 

DATE 

Check if you would like information on advertising in the Symposium Program_ PIA membership 

Complete this form and return with full payment to: 

PIA Symposium Office / Cheryl Zimmermann 

208 East Rosehill Avenue 

Deland, Florida 32724 USA 

(e 0 4) 7 3 8 - 6:'j 

l.n,;19 \"^!::;l [::-on 

or Symposium@pia.com 

- d e m a n d 

If paying by check, please ensure they are drawn on a US Bank in US Funds and made payable to PIA 

Amount Charge to: Master Card Visa (Bank Americard) AmEx 

Account Nurnber: 

Exo. Date 

Cardholder's Narne 

Cardholder's Address 

City State zip Country 

Si gnature of cardholdcr 

SEE OTHER SIDE FOR EXHIBITOR GUIDELINES 


97[XUil] tX)C

Prices of exhibit spaces are as follows: 

['lA FtJl,[- MI]MBEI{S (Over two years) 

N I,I- O'IIIERS 

ADDI]'IONAI, BOO-I'IIS 

CORNIIR BOOTIIS 

$6s0.00 us 

$500.00 US 

$75O.OO US 

$45O.OO US 

$ 50.00 US 

Bach exhibit space will be provided with one l0'x l0'carpeted booth that includes an 8'high 

backdrop, a 3' high divider on each side, one 6' long draped table, two chairs, a booth identification sign 

and a l l0V electrical outlet. The colors will be berry (mauve) and white. 

Each paid-for exhibit space includes one full registration and identification badge that entitles the 

registrant to attend all synrposium functions. All other workers in the booth will receive passes that 

allow thern in the exhibit hall only and only during exhibit hours. 

Reservations fbrexhibit spaces are accepted only if accompanied by full payment. All booth spaces are 

reserved on a first-come, first-served basis, exhibitor preference will be considered but is not 

guaranteed. 

Cancellation of exl-ribit reservations will be accepted with full refund until October 31, 1996. After 

which tirne, $200.00/booth will become non-refundable, and will be deducted from the refund. 

l-he exliibit hall will open on Sunday, Feb.9, 1997 from l0:00am to 2:00pm for exhibitors to set-up 

displays. Dismantlingwill beon ThursdayFeb. 13,1997 fromnoonto3:00pm. Therewill benoearly 

breakdown. 

Regulations and Limitations: 

No booth sharing allowed 

No one will be allowed to solicit irrformation unless they are a paid exhibitor 

No commercial displays outside the exhibit hall. 

No food, drinks or smoking will be allowed inside the exhibit hall. 

No one will be allowed in the exhibit hall unsupervised exceptwhen it is open. 

No one will be authorized to move into enrpty booth spaces unless you have paid forthat space. 

No one will be allowed into any symposium function without their identification badge. 

Use of the PIA or PIA synrposium logo on any products is strictly prohibited witliout prior written 

consent. 

No Exceptions!! 

PIA will not be responsible fbr the safety of the property of the exhibitors from theft, darnage by fire, 

accident, or other causes, but will use reasonable care to protect the exhibitors from such loss. 

Exhibitors wishing to insure their goods must do so at their own expense. 

PIA shall not be liable fbr any damage or injury of any kind during the terrn of this agreement. 

To assist in assignment of booth space, please list any finns you would or would not prefer to be located 

next to. ['ref-erred booth space: lst choice 

Prefer not to be next to: 

2nd 

3rd 

Pref'er to be next to: 

(Photocopy for your records) 

Para NewsBrief - December I 996 

9TEXHIB.DOC

e; 

Sheraton Astrodome 

FITISdatonl 

MEETING SPACE DIAGRAM 

,l 

t 

4 

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t""ttl-r"-*x

EXHIBIT HALL PLANS 

Patti Chernis 

What Do You Do Now? 

So you've already reserved your booth space for the '97 Syrnposium, and its 9 months away, so 

what do you do now? 

Create a Plan 

Your company will be investing money, time and personnel to parlicipate at the trade show 

portion of the Syrnposium. lt makes sense to develop a plan of action to make sure those investments 

pay off. 

ln developing a trade show plan you will need to develop a strategy and set goals and ob.iectives. 

You will rreed the cooperation and commitment of various deparlrnents in your contpany. Make sure 

that everyone is aware of the objectives and of whatthe company is investing. 

Your nrarketing department plays a key role in having a successful show. Be sure and keep thern 

infbrrned about Symposium deadlines, promotion deadlines, and sponsorship oppor-tunities. 

Ilaving a tagline inviting people to visit your booth inserted in any company ads that are 

scheduled to run is an inexpensive way to increase booth traffic. llave news releases sent out on any 

new products tlrat will be introduced at the Symposium. 

Setting deadlines and keeping them is a good way to save time, money and headaches. For 

example, you can save hundreds of dollars by having everything ready for one shiprnent well before the 

event. 

Its a good idea to do some booth training fbr your people before the show. Making sure that 

your personnel know the answers before the questions get asked makes your conlpany look good. 

Lead fbllow-up is very important in a show plan. You can generate hundreds of leads at the 

Symposium but they are worthless unless you have a lead follow-up plan. Studies shorv that leads 

generated at trade shows are generally sold with only one follow-up call. 

You haven't rented your booth yet? This isn't something you want to put off, only 30 are lefi! 

Take tlrat step todaY. 

I{uve u great Svmpo.s'ium! 

I)ara Ne'uvs[]rief - De cenrber 1996 

97EX}IIB,DOC

1?a 327 325 323 321 309 307 305 303 301 

9', 

!2 

E 

I 

330 

328 326 374 322 z1R 3-18 516 514 312 3i0 308 306 304 302 300 

229 227 225 223 221 219 217 215 213 211 209 207 205 203 201 

228 226 724 222 220 218 216 214 212 21C 208 206 204 202 200 

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129 127 125 123 121 119 117 115 113 

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9' 

REGISTRATION 

AREA 

E\lf thEXll 

X 10' BOOTHS 

SAM HOUSTON BALLROOM 

SHERATON ASTRODOME 

uAB, 

fx rtr 5r 

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D re /WrX 

| ff€ h6{( 

PHONES 

EXIT 

CHECK ROOM 

SCALE IN FEET 

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DECOR^I'{G 6 NOI 

RTSPONSEL€ 'FEEYA'{ fOR Aftf^s IXAI 

aR€ 5n n $oLAIOn OF 

cllY of HoUsToN rnt coot 

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APPCAR Oil IHE FRt T'^RSXALL 

F?ROYED FLOORPLAN ls SUBJECI 

ro [6P€ctlo.r tY Ttf tR€ 

vr,RSxALI-. 

PARACHUTE INDUSTRY 

AS SOC IA T ION 

FEBRUARY 1997 

)+,,, 

9\ 

Freemon Decoroling Compony 

Hous lon

SYMPOSIUM '97 EXHIBITORS AS OF OCTOBER I, 1996 

BOOTH COMPANY 

228 

207,209 

307,309 

221,223 

312 

213,215,217,219 

300,302 

200,202 

124,126,128 

3ll,3l3 

107,109,1 I I 

1 04, r 06,1 08 

1 00,1 02 

304,306 

ll3 

225 

220 

132 

lts,n7 

230 

328 

321,323 

226 

A. H. RICE CORP 

AIRTEC GMB}I 

FLIGHT CONCEPTS, INT'L. 

FXC/GUARDIAN PARACHUTE 

KROOP'S GOGCLES,INC 

N. AMERICAN AERODYNAMICS, INC 

NORTHERN LITE ENTERPzuSES, INC 

PARA-GEAR EQUIPMENT COMPANY 

PARACHUTES DE FRANCE S. A. 

PORCIN E PARACI.I UI'ING PRODUCTS 

PRECISION AERODYNAMICS, INC. 

RIGGING INNOVATIONS, INC. 

SUN PATH 

PIONEER AEROSPACE CORP 

ACTION AIR PARACHUTES/FLIGHT SUIT 

SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY, INC 

COOL & GROOVY FRIDGE CO, LTD. 

PERSERVERANCE MILLS EUREKA BSD 

UNITED STA'TES PARACHUTE ASSOC 

PERRIS VALLEY SKYDIVING 

INTERMOTION B.V.B.A. 

BUTLER PARACHUTE SYSTEMS 

CENTRE AEROSPORT'E DE TOULOUSE 

BOOTH COMPANY 

ll9 

2tl 

2t0,2t2 

204 

103,r05 

3 | 5,317 

l0l 

201,203,20s 

))7 ))q 

30 r ,303 

305 

206,208 

214 

308,3 | 0 

127,129 

l3l 

t2t,123,t25 

7)7 7)9 

222 

231 

3t4 

224 

Pending 

AEGIS SAFETY LIMITED 

DJ ASSOCIATES, INC 

LARSEN & BRUSGAARD 

PARA PUBLISI-IING 

P. I. S. A. 

PARA-FLITE, INC 

PARA-PHERNALIA. INC 

PERF'ORMANCE DESIGNS 

PERFORMANCE TEXTII-ES 

REI-A'IIVE WORKSHOP 

SKYDIVE ARIZONA 

SSK INDUSTRIES,INC 

THE IIAT SHOPPE. INC 

GELVENOR TEXTILES 

FLII'ELINE SYS'f EM S, INC. 

SKYDIVE UNTVERSITY 

PARASPORT ITALIA 

STRONG EN-IERPRISES 

ALTITUDE CONCEPTS 

EUREKA BSD 

LJ ENGINEERINC 

PARACHUTE SIIOP - FRANCE 

SYNTHETIC TTiREAD CO. 

LATE BREAKING NEWS: BOOTHS ARE, SOLD OUT!!!!! 

- 

I 

I 

r 

- 

E 

- 

- 

AR 

\\\sN :\\s!\s\N $.!.iti 

* \\\s ii\i\w 

. \.\\ s..):.,::.\i-\rd\\rs*\\)t:)r:\l 

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fadirfilil: iN 

)i!-\:J.jl\:i.-11' rl ",'i:.s,:.it,}\\.. 

{iil\tt.jr'l .11ll I ..:ii$' 

( .1t, , ,", , ,:, r, . .,::.?:.:\...f ' 


9TEXHtB.DOC

Parachute Industry Association International Symposium'97 

Sponsorship Information 

In order to provide the parachuting community the best possible experience at the PIA 

Symposium your sponsorship is being solicited. Sponsorship is an opportunity to show 

attendees how much your company cares. You gain the recognition and appreciation of your 

customers and potential customers. Please take a moment to check out the list below. It 

includes the item or event, the approximate cost and some ideas about maximizing your 

sponsorship. 

This year sponsors are permitted to put their company name or logo (with the approval of the 

Symposium Committee) on sponsored items. PIA will have a sign at the registration booth 

identifying all sponsors. Sponsor lists will be included in the binder, the program and in the 

after-event advertising. 

The following is a list of proposed sponsorships. The prices are estimates of approximate value. 

Sponsors will pay the money directly to PlA. Money must be received by PIA before Jan.20, 

1997. For bookkeeping/tax purposes you will receive a Symposium '97 invoice describing in 

detail the item you have sponsored. 

This is a unique marketing opportunity to grab the attention of potential customers and to 

reinforce to current customers that yours is a company or organtzation that "cares". Remember, 

you can always make a donation to the general fund and be recognized as a Symposium 

Portfolio Sponsor. 

ITEA'T/EYENT APPROX. COST MARKETING SUGGESTIONS 

INTERCOM RADIOS 350.00 

CLOTH BAGS 3 | 50.00 CARD OR NOTE IN EACH BAG 

SECURlTY GUARDS 500 00 

ENTERTAINMENT 3000.00 TIIIS Is A GR-EAT BAND, THEY wILL PI-AY A T THE OPENING RECI]P TIoN & 

ATTHE BANeutr I'M suRE TIIEy'D LtKE To ANNOUNCE wHo's pAytNG 

THEIR wAY! 

AUDIO/VISUAL 8000.00 A SIGN IN EACH CLASSROOM AND IN THE HALLS 

CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST 

COFFEE. TEA. DON UTS.............or 

1500.00 per day 3 BRTAKFAS'rs ARE NEEDED . youR NAME tN pRocRAM 

CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST- 

COFFEE, T'EA, SWEETBREADS, 

ROLLS. FRUI'IS etc. 

2000.00 + per day 

SPONSORINC A CONTINENTAI, BREAKFAS I' IS A GREA] WAY TO CF]I' 

PEOPI,E TO THANK YOU ALL DAY LONG! A SIGN WILI, BE POSTED 

..PLEASE PAY COMPLIMENTS TO TODAY'S HOST,' WITH YOUR NAME 

PROGRAMS 

$3s00.00 

UNDERNEATH. ANDA StCN ON EACH TABLE. NAPKINS W H YOUR I-OGO 

YOUR NAME PROMINENT LY LISTED IN l HE PROGRAM 

T-SHIRTS 5000.00 ATTACHED I AG ON EACH SHIRT 

HAND SHAKER PRIZE 100.00 uP ANNOUNCED AT THE BANQUET. 

BEST BOOTH PRIZE 150.00 uP YOU PRESENT THE PRIZE AT THE BANQUET 

KICK OFF RECEPTION 7500.00 YOU CAN CET A LoT oF MILAGE oUT oF THIS oNE! 

PLAOUES/CERTIFICATES 1000.00 SICN IS THE AREA WHERT CERI'IFICATES AND PLAQUES ARE DISPLAYED 

BINDERS/INDEX TABS 3000 00 YOUR COMPANY NAME ON THE FIRSI-PACE 

PRINTING FOR BINDERS 4200.00 YOUR COMPANY NAME ON THE FIRST PAGE 

ADVERTISING 

DO A FULL PAGE ANNOUNCING YOUR PARTICIPATION WI I H AT LEAST 

75% oF THE AD DEVoTED To THE SYMPOSIUM. MUST BE APPRoVF]D BY 

THE SYMPOSIUM COMMITTEE 

FLOWERS FOR BANQUET I 500.00 PLACECARD ON THE BANQUET TABI,ES 

YOUR IDEA HERE 

YOU MAY KNOW OF SOMETHINC I IIAT WOULD BE THE I,IIT OF THE 

SYMPOSIUM. RUN IT PAST US! 

FOR SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION CONTACT: PATTI CHPRNIS, SYMPOISUM COMMITTEE CHAIR. PO BOX 60. 

KApowsIN, u'a 98344 PHoNe: (360) 893-61 I I Fnx (360) 893- I 999 e-mail: nleinc@pia.com 


SPONSOR DOC

PIA Full Members 

September 1996 

A. H. RICE CORP 

AC SOFTWARE LTD. 

ACTION AIR PARACHUTES 

ADVENTURE LOFT.INC. 

AEGIS SAFETY LTD. 

AERO GLIDE,INC. 

AERO STORE CORP. 

AERODYNE RESEARCH CORPORATION 

AEROGRAPHICS 

AEROTEX PRODUCTS COMPANY 

AIR TIME DESIGNS, INC. 

AIRTEC GMBH 

ALTICO,INC. 

ALTITUDE CONCEPTS 

ARIZONA AERO SPORTS 

ARIZONA PARACHUTE SUPPLY 

AUSTRALIAN PARACHUTE FEDERATION 

B & F ENTERPRISES 

B & G PRODUCTS,INC. 

BALLY RIBBON MILLS 

BIG SKY PRODUCTIONS. INC. 

BLUE SKY MAGAZINE 

BOURDON FORGE CO.. INC. 

BSD EUREKA SARL 

BUSSEMAKER, ELLEN 

BUTLER PARACHUTE SYSTEMS 

CAPEWELL / FROST 

CAROLINA SKY SPORTS 

CONSEW 

CUMMINGS RIGGING WORKS 

D.B.S. AVIO PARA SERVICE SRL 

DIVE - RITE 

DJ ASSOCIATES,INC. 

DURO INDUSTRIES, INC. 

E.I. DUPONT DE NEMOURS. INC. 

FALLSCHIRMDEPOT OSTERMUENCHNER 

FIRST STEP RESEARCH (FSR) 

FLIGHT CONCEPTS INTERNATIONAL 

FLITE SUIT 

FREE FLIGHT ENTERPRISES 

FREEFALL EXPRESS 

GELVENOR TEXTILES (PTY) LTD. 

GREATER KANSAS CITY SKYDIVING CLUB 

G.Q. PARACHUTE LTD. 

GUARDIAN PARACHUTE / FXC CORP. 

HARTWOOD AVIATION INC. 

IRVIN INDUSTRIES CANADA LIMITED 

IRVIN INDUSTRIES.INC. 

JUMP AND FLY 

LIFE SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL 

MILLIKEN & COMPANY 

PITTSFIELD 

GRAHAM 

DAVIS 

CARROLLTON 

ALDERSHOT HANTS 

KENNESAW 

POTTSTOWN 

TAMPA 

DELAND 

BALA CYNWYD 

ZEPHYRHILLS 

WTINNENBERG 

DADE CITY 

WINSTON 

MESA 

ELOY 

CURTIN ACT 

MARANA 

GRAND RAPIDS 

BALLY 

WHITEFISH 

AHNATAL 

MIDDLETOWN 

CORDES / CIFI 

BUSSUM 

CALIFORNIA CITY 

CROMWELL 

LOUISBURG 

MASPETH 

MANHASSET 

PISA 

WINCHESTER 

FT. SMITH 

FALL RIVER 

WILMINGTON 

GREILING 

MOSCOW 

CHAMBLEE 

DAVIS 

LAKE ELSINORE 

GARDINER 

DURBAN 

LAKE LOTAWANA 

MID GLAMORGAN 

SANTA ANA 

HARTWOOD 

FORT ERIE, ONTAzuO 

SANTA ANA 

SANTONUOVO - PISTOIA 

BRISTOL 

LAGRANGE 

MA 

WA 

CA 

TX 

GREAT BRITIAN 

GA 

PA 

FL 

FL 

PA 

FL 

GERMANY 

FL 

GA 

AZ 

AZ 

AUSTRALIA 

AZ 

MI 

PA 

MT 

GERMANY 

CT 

FRANCE 

NETHERLANDS 

CA 

CT 

NC 

NY 

NY 

ITALY 

TN 

AR 

MA 

DE 

GERMANY 

ID 

GA 

CA 

CA 

NY 

SOUTH AFRICA 

MO 

GREAT BRITIAN 

CA 

VA 

CANADA 

CA 

ITALY 

PA 

GA 


PIAMEMB.DOC

PIA Full Members 

September 1996 

MILLS MANUFACTURING 

MPG CONSULTANTS 

NATIONAL PARACHUTE INDUSTRIES, INC. 

NORTH AMERICAN AERODYNAMICS. INC. 

NORTHERN LITE ENTERPRISES, INC. 

PARA PUBLISHING 

PARA TRAINING ENTERPRISES 

PARA-FLITE,INC. 

PARA-CEAR EQUIPMENT COMPANY, INC. 

PARA-LOFT,INC. 

PARA-PHERNALIA INC. 

PARACHUTE ASSOCIATES, INC. 

PARACHUTE IND. OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 

PARACHUTE LABS,INC. - JUMP SHACK 

PARACHUTES DE FRANCE S.A. 

PARASPORT ITALIA 

PERFORMANCE DESIGNS, INC. 

PERFORMANCE TEXTILES. INC. 

PERRIS VALLEY SKYDIVING 

PIONEER AEROSPACE CORPORATION 

PORCINE PARACHUTING PRODUCTS 

PRECISION AERODYNAMICS 

PRECISION FABRICS GROUP 

RELATIVE WORKSHOP. THE UNINSURED 

RIGGERS SOURCEBOOK, THE 

RIGGING INNOVATIONS. INC. 

RW SHOP INC., THE 

SILVER PARACHUTE SALES & SERVICE 

SKY FUN I,INC. 

SKY SYSTEMS 

SKYDIVE ARIZONA.INC. 

SKYDIVE GREENE COUNTY. INC. 

SKYDIVE TEXAS.INC. 

SKYDIVE UNIVERSITY 

SKYDIVING ADVENTURES, INC. 

SKYDIVING CENTER OF WASHINGTON DC 

SQUARE ONE PARACHUTE SALES & SERVICE 

SSE,INC. 

SSK INDUSTRIES.INC. 

STRONG ENTERPzuSES 

SUN PATH PRODUCTS,INC. 

SUNSHINE FACTORY.INC. 

SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY. INC. 

T & T RIGGING 

TAILORED FOR SURVIVAL 

U.S. ARMY PARACHUTE TEAM 

US ARMY NATICK RD&E, MOBD, ARD 

UNITED STATES FORGECRAFT 

WESTERN PARACHUTE SALES. INC. 

ASHVILLE 

WESTBORO 

FLEMINGTON 

ROXBORO 

KAPOWSIN 

SANTA BARBARA 

PARLIN 

PENNSAUKEN 

SKOKIE 

ELIZABETHTOWN 

ARLINGTON 

VINCENTOWN 

VERULAM 

DELAND 

CEDEX 

CAVOUR 

DELAND 

GREENSBORO 

PERzuS 

SOUTH WINDSOR 

COLLEGE PARK 

DUNLAP 

GREENSBORO 

DELAND 

SAN DIEGO 

ROMOLAND 

BROOKLINE 

HAYWARD 

BOULDER 

ENGLEWOOD 

ELOY 

XENIA 

DECATUR 

DELAND 

HEMET 

CALIFORNIA 

PERRIS 

PENNSAUKEN 

WAYNESVILLE 

ORLANDO 

ZEPHYRHILLS 

ZEPHYRHILLS 

HAWTHORNE 

TEMECULA 

MORENO VALLEY 

FT. BRAGG 

NATICK 

FORT SMITH 

EAGLE CREEK 

NC 

MA 

NJ 

NC 

WA 

CA 

NJ 

NJ 

IL 

PA 

WA 

NJ 

SOUTH AFRICA 

FL 

FRANCE 

ITALY 

FL 

NC 

CA 

CT 

MD 

TN 

NC 

FL 

CA 

CA 

NH 

CA 

CO 

CO 

AZ 

OH 

TX 

FL 

CA 

MD 

CA 

NJ 

OH 

FL 

FL 

FL 

CA 

CA 

CA 

NC 

MA 

AR 

OR 


PIAMEMB.DOC

p/arar;hute 

lnilustrl lssrlr;iatirin 

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP 

'fhe Parachute Industry Association is comprised of companies and individuals united by a common desire to improve business 

opportunities in this segment of aviation. PIA is actively pursuing many technical, safety and promoti

IMPORTANT! 

Check Your Address Label 

To make sure that you continue to receive the Para NewsBrief, please take a moment and check 

your mailing label, and verify your membership / subscription expiration date. The Para 

NewsBrief is now sent only to current members/subscription holders. 

Renewal dues and subscription fees can be sent directly to the PIA treasurer: 

Dori Bachman 

clo Para Gear Equipment Company, Inc. 

3839 W. Oakton Street 

Skokie. IL 6076-3438 

Refer to the membership application form (last page this issue) for additional information on 

new membership or subscriptions. 

PARA TRAINING ENTERPRISES (FUL) 

AL GRAMANDO 09/30/91 

P.O. BOX 568 

PARLIN, NJ OBB59_0568

'r#jt,3lll"o,,', - Parachute Industry Association

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