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

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.