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Code of Professional Responsibility
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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.