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FAA Regulations on Recording Your Own Video

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Can someone please direct me as to where to find the official rules on recording your own video while skydiving? Thanks.



Are you a lawyer?



No, I'm an electrical engineer and a skydiver with only 30 jumps. There's a story behind why I want to know, but I'm on my cell typing this. I'll spew the details for your entertainment later, right now I'm just seeking personal knowledge.

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Can someone please direct me as to where to find the official rules on recording your own video while skydiving? Thanks.



Are you a lawyer?



No, I'm an electrical engineer and a skydiver with only 30 jumps. There's a story behind why I want to know, but I'm on my cell typing this. I'll spew the details for your entertainment later, right now I'm just seeking personal knowledge.



Your name isn't Gerardo Flores is it?
In every man's life he will be allotted one good woman and one good dog. That's all you get, so appreciate them while the time you have with them lasts.

- RiggerLee

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Can someone please direct me as to where to find the official rules on recording your own video while skydiving? Thanks.



Are you a lawyer?



No, I'm an electrical engineer and a skydiver with only 30 jumps. There's a story behind why I want to know, but I'm on my cell typing this. I'll spew the details for your entertainment later, right now I'm just seeking personal knowledge.



Your name isn't Gerardo Flores is it?



Lol! No, but my shoelace WAS untied during my jump today. Call 411.

Short story is that the DZ owner tried to bullshit me today with the FAA required 200 jump rule because of my POV video goggles, that they caught the reason for my premature deployment a few weeks ago, and because I'm not yet trusted.

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USPA Recommends a minimum of 200 freefall skydives before jumping with a camera. It also states you should be current with your gear and know the gear very well before attempting a jump with a camera.

There is a few DZ's you can go to that will allow you to jump with a camera much earlier. Some being as early as 30 jumps. Again, it is just a "recommendation" set in place by the USPA. But many large DZ's take it as a set rule because they have so much traffic that they wan't it to be as safe as possible.


The FAA has nothing to do with having the ability to jump with a camera.

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USPS Recommends a minimum of 200 freefall skydives before jumping with a camera. It also states you should be current with your gear and know the gear very well before attempting a jump with a camera.
T
There is a few DZ's you can go to that will allow you to jump with a camera much earlier. Some being as early as 30 jumps. Again, it is just a "recommendation" set in place by the USPA. But many large DZ's take it as a set rule because they have so much traffic that they wan't it to be as safe as possible.



Please cite a link to this recommendation. Thank you in advance.

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USPA SIM Section 6-8


"c. A USPA C license is recommended. " C-License = 200 jumps


Note that the USPA in this section seems to be referring to videoing others and states nothing about a solo jumper videoing for documentational purposes. I've already emailed the safety director at the USPA discussing this issue and have not heard back from him.


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Contents:
A. Introduction
B. Background
C. Purpose
D. Equipment
E. Procedures
F. Considerations for filming students

A. Introduction

1. Skydiving provides a wealth of visual stimulation that can be readily captured through still and video photography.

2. Smaller and lighter cameras have made it easier and less expensive to take cameras on a jump.

3. Jumpers need to exercise caution with respect to camera flying:

a. camera equipment and its interaction with the parachute system

b. activities on the jump

c. breakoff procedures

d. special emergency procedures for camera flyers

4. Once a camera flyer has become completely familiar with the equipment and procedures of the discipline, he or she will be able to experiment and perform creatively.

B. Background

1. In the early days:

a. Early pioneer camera flyers had to solve the obvious problems presented by big, cumbersome camera equipment and parachutes.

b. Only the most experienced jumpers and photographers would brave the activity of filming others.

2. More recently:

a. Miniature digital still and video cameras appear to present less of a challenge, encouraging more jumpers to use cameras on their jumps.

b. Skydivers have become less concerned about the skill of a camera flyer jumping with their group.

C. Purpose

1. Recommendations for flying cameras should educate potential camera flyers and those making jumps with them.

2. Jumpers should realize that flying a camera is a serious decision and that it requires additional effort and attention on each jump.

D. Equipment

1. A camera flyer should consult another experienced camera flyer and a rigger before using any new or modified piece of equipment on a camera jump:

a. helmet

b. parachute

c. deployment device modification

d. camera

e. camera mount

f. flash

g. switch and mounting

h. camera suit

i. other

(1) sky surfboard or skis

(2) tubes or other freefall toys

(3) wingsuit

2. Prior to filming other skydivers, each new or additional piece of equipment should be jumped until the camera flyer is completely familiar with it and has adjusted any procedures accordingly.

3. Camera equipment

a. Small cameras are not necessarily safer to jump than larger ones.

b. Regardless of location, any camera mount should be placed and rigged with respect to the deploying parachutes.

c. All edges and potential snag areas should be covered, taped, or otherwise protected.

(1) Necessary snag points on helmet-mounted cameras should at least face away from the deploying parachute.

(2) A pyramid shape of the entire camera mounting system may deflect lines better than an egg shape.

(3) Deflectors can help protect areas that can't be otherwise modified to reduce problems.

(4) All gaps between the helmet and equipment, including mounting plates, should be taped or filled (hot glue, etc.).

(5) Protrusions, such as camera sights, should be engineered to present the least potential for snags.

(6) Ground testing should include dragging a suspension line over the camera assembly to reveal snag points.

d. Sharp edges and protrusions can injure other jumpers in the event of a collision or emergency aircraft landing.

e. Cameras mounted on a jumper's extremities need to be kept clear during deployment.

f. Camera operation devices (switches, cables) need to be simple and secure.

g. Each added piece of equipment needs to be analyzed for its potential interaction with the overall camera system and the parachute.

4. Helmets and camera mounts

a. All camera platforms, whether custom or off the shelf, should be evaluated for safety and suitability to the camera flyer's purpose.

(1) by a rigger

(2) by an experienced camera flyer

b. The helmet should provide full visibility for the camera flyer:

(1) in freefall

(2) under canopy

(3) during emergency procedures

c. Empty camera mounts should be covered and taped to prevent snags.

5. Helmet releases

a. An emergency release is recommended for camera helmets in the event of an equipment entanglement.

b. Emergency helmet releases should be easy to operate with either hand.

c. Using a reliable helmet closure or clasp that can also be used as an emergency release promotes familiarity with the system.

6. Parachute

a. Camera flyers should use a reliable parachute that opens slowly and on heading.

b. The deployment system needs to be compatible with the camera suit, if used.

c. Camera suit wings and lower connections must not interfere with the camera flyer's parachute operation handles or main bridle routing in any freefall orientation.

d. The pilot chute and bridle length must be sufficient to overcome the additional burble created by a camera suit, if worn.

e. If the camera flyer generally opens higher than the other jumpers, a slower descending canopy may help reduce traffic conflicts.

f. The camera flyer should weigh the advantages against the disadvantages of a reserve static line in the event of a partial malfunction.

(1) Advantages: could assist after a low cutaway or when disoriented during cutaway procedures

(2) Disadvantages: could deploy the reserve during instability following a cutaway, increasing the chances for the reserve entangling with the camera system, especially a poorly designed one

g. As always, proper attention to packing and maintenance, especially line stowage, helps prevent hard openings and malfunctions.

7. Recommended accessory equipment

a. audible altimeter

b. visual altimeter that can be seen while photographing

c. hook knife

E. Procedures

1. General

a. Prior to jumping, a skydiver should have enough general jump experience to be able to handle any skydiving emergency or minor problem easily and without stress.

b. A camera flyer should possess freefall flying skills well above average and applicable to the planned jump.

(1) belly-to-earth

(2) freeflying (upright and head-down)

(3) canopy formation

(4) multiple (for skysurfing, filming student training jumps, etc.)

c. A USPA C license is recommended.

d. The jumper should have made at least 50 recent jumps on the same parachute equipment to be used for camera flying,

e. The camera flyer should know the experience and skills of all the jumpers in the group.

f. Deployment:

(1) The deployment altitude should allow time to deal with the additional equipment and its associated problems.

(2) The camera flyer must remain aware of other jumpers during deployment.

g. Each camera flyer should conduct a complete camera and parachute equipment check before rigging up, before boarding the plane, and again prior to exit.

h. Camera jumps should be approached procedurally, with the same routine followed on every jump.

i. The priorities on the jump should be the parachute equipment and procedures first, then the camera equipment and procedures.

j. Introduce only one new variable (procedure or equipment) at a time.

k. A camera jump requires additional planning and should never be considered just another skydive.

2. Aircraft

a. Cameras should be worn or secured during take off and landing to prevent them from becoming a projectile in the event of sudden movement.

b. A camera flyer needs to be aware of the additional space the camera requires:

(1) Use caution when the door is opening to prevent getting hit by door components.

(2) Practice climbout procedures in each aircraft to prevent injury resulting from catching the camera on the door or other part of the aircraft.

(3) To prevent injury and damage to the aircraft, the camera flyer should coordinate with the pilot before attempting any new climbout position.

3. Exit

a. Unless the plan calls for the camera flyer to be part of the exit, he or she should remain clear of the group, being mindful of the airspace opposite the exiting jumpers' relative wind.

b. A collision can be more serious with a jumper wearing a camera helmet.

c. Student jumpers can become disoriented if encountering a camera flyer unexpectedly.

d. A tandem parachutist in command requires clear airspace to deploy a drogue.

e. Skydivers occasionally experience inadvertent openings on exit.

4. Freefall

a. The jumpers should prepare a freefall plan with the camera flyer, to include:

(1) the camera flyer's position in relation to the group

(2) any planned camera flyer interaction with the group

b. The jumpers and the camera flyer should follow the plan.

5. Exit and breakoff

a. All jumpers on the load should understand the camera flyer's breakoff and deployment plan.

b. Two or more camera flyers must coordinate the breakoff and deployment more carefully than when only one camera flyer is involved.

c. Filming other jumpers through deployment should be planned in consideration of the opening altitudes of all the jumpers involved and with their cooperation.

d. The camera flyer should maintain awareness of his or her position over the ground and deploy high enough to reach a safe landing area.

6. Deployment

a. The camera flyer must exercise added caution during deployment:

(1) to prevent malfunctions

(2) to assure an on-heading deployment and reduce the likelihood of line twist

(3) to avoid neck injury

b. New camera flyers should consult with experienced camera flyers for specific techniques to prevent accidents during deployment and inflation.

c. Malfunction, serious injury, or death could occur if the lines of a deploying parachute become snagged on camera equipment.

7. Parachute emergencies

a. The additional equipment worn for filming can complicate emergency procedures.

b. Each camera flyer should regularly practice all parachute emergency procedures under canopy or in a training harness while fully rigged for a camera jump.

c. Emergency procedure practice should include removing the helmet with either hand in response to certain malfunctions.

d. Routine emergency procedures should be practiced during every jump.

e. When to release the helmet:

(1) equipment entanglements

(2) obstacle landings (water, trees, building, power lines)

(3) whenever a dangerous situation presents itself

F. Considerations for filming students

1. Refer to the USPA Instructional Rating Manual for additional guidelines on minimum experience and qualifications for flying camera for student training jumps.

a. A skydiver should have extensive camera flying experience with experienced jumpers prior to photographing or videoing student jumps.

(1) At least 300 group freefall skydives

(2) At least 50 jumps flying camera with experienced jumpers

b. The USPA Instructor supervising the jump should conduct a thorough briefing with the camera flyer prior to boarding.

c. All procedures and the camera plan should be shared among the USPA Coach or Instructor, the camera flyer, and the student making the jump.

2. The instructors' full attention is supposed to be on the student, and the student is incapable of considering the movements and needs of the camera flyer.

3. The camera flyer should avoid the area directly above or below a student or instructor(s).

a. Students may deploy without warning.

b. Disturbing the student's or instructors' air could compromise their performance and the safety of the jumpers.

4. Exit

a. The camera flyer should plan an exit position that avoids contact with the student or the instructor(s).

b. During the exit, students often give erratic exit counts, making exit timing difficult for the camera flyer.

(1) The camera flyer may leave slightly before the student exits if the count is reliable.

(2) The camera flyer should follow slightly after the student's exit whenever the student's exit timing is uncertain.

c. When filming tandem jumpers, the camera flyer must remain clear of the deploying drogue

5. The camera flyer needs to maintain independent altitude awareness and never rely on the student or instructor(s).

6. Opening

a. The camera flyer is responsible for opening separation from the student and the instructor(s).

b. While dramatic, aggressive filming of openings compromises the safety of the student, the instructor(s), and the camera flyer.

7. When using larger aircraft, student groups typically exit farther upwind, which may require a higher opening for the camera flyer to safely return to the landing area.

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USPS Recommends a minimum of 200 freefall skydives before jumping with a camera. It also states you should be current with your gear and know the gear very well before attempting a jump with a camera.

There is a few DZ's you can go to that will allow you to jump with a camera much earlier. Some being as early as 30 jumps. Again, it is just a "recommendation" set in place by the USPA. But many large DZ's take it as a set rule because they have so much traffic that they wan't it to be as safe as possible.


The FAA has nothing to do with having the ability to jump with a camera.



When did the Postal Service start doing skydiving recommendations?

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Thank you.

So, just so I'm clear:

There's no FAR.
There's no 200 jump rule.
It is ONLY a USPA recommendation class C license.



Yes, but good luck using it in an argument. Most people take it as a dead set rule and fighting it will result in a possible DZ ban :P


The DZO themselves can set rules for their DZ. It's their DZ, their rules. So even if it's a recommendation, it might be a rule at your DZ.

If you have proved yourself capable and like-minded, then you just might be able to jump with one at an early ## :P
My DZ is a strict 200 minimum but they will let you do it a little earlier if they are absolutely confident in you.

Smaller DZ's the staff might even do several jumps with you and see your capabilities and allow you to jump one much sooner.

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Short story is that the DZ owner tried to bullshit me today with the FAA required 200 jump rule because of my POV video goggles, that they caught the reason for my premature deployment a few weeks ago, and because I'm not yet trusted.




not EVERYthing is spelled out in the form of RULES...

but your DZO was Not Bullshitting you......whether it's a FAA rule or not, or a USPA " recommendation"...or not.... is just semantics...
200 jumps is the commonly accepted
level of experience required......Minimum !!!
Common sense factors in, as well..
and usually
in THIS sport/business.... The DZO may decide What does or doesn't happen on His/Her Dropzone....Surely you can appreciate that...

cool your jets. Learn how to skydive safely...( what's this about a premature opening???)
All things in good TIME!!!
only for YOU.......
NOT right NOW

you have to live with That.....

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So, just so I'm clear:



Just so you're clear, the rules are whatever the DZO says they are. It's his sandbox, and what he says, goes.

Along those same lines, I can only assume that you have not reached the 200 jump point, and with that in mind, you would be well served to listen to what your (or any) DZO has to say. You have less than 200 jumps, they own a DZ. Who would you guess would know better?

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Short story is that the DZ owner tried to bullshit me today with the FAA required 200 jump rule because of my POV video goggles, that they caught the reason for my premature deployment a few weeks ago, and because I'm not yet trusted.

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Here's an even shorter story~

DZO was probably telling you that to keep it on good terms & not waste a lotta time going into intricate detail.

I'd bet the DZO is pretty tired of having to be 'politically correct' with every 30 jump wonder who thinks they know more than the guy runnin' the place & try to play jail-house lawyer to over ride the directives they receive.:S





If it were MY dz I would have said...

"SIUCC - it's MY fuckin' DZ! ~ I just said you're not good enough yet.

Whine & bitch some more and your ass is TAILLIGHTS".






Why does everything have to be a debate with you guys?

Skydiving is a privilege not a right, you don't like the rules there, go someplace else or put down a million $ and open your own place...


Either way, you speak volumes regarding your priorities by coming here for ammo against the guy busting his ass to run a business & giving you advise to keep you & those like you from reaching room temperature.

Put your little video goggle toy back in the box, get some SKYDIVING EXPERIENCE...lose the immature 'it's all about ME' attitude, then buy the DZO a case of beer and apologize for being "That Guy".

He'll know what you're talking about...he had to deal with 'That Guy' many times before.



~~~That is IF you're really a jumper in the first place...ya smell like a bad-bait-fishin'-trip to me.


Registered a year ago ~ 6 posts...all in the past 2 hrs, all on THIS subject. :| Reeks.











~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

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There is no actual rule only a recommendation but a DZ can enforce the recommendation if they choose. Some do some dont. People are going to do what they want. I'm worried about the jackass jumping a canopy way beyond his ability than I am about someone with a camera.

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Blah blah blah. I knew the spammers and trolls would engage at some point. I just like to know the rules, and while the DZO is free to bullshit me and enforce any arbitrary recomendations he likes, I'm free to take my cash to another DZ. The sword cuts both ways ya'll. Let's quit bullshitting people and propogate knowledge ... And with it .... Trust.

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Let's quit bullshitting people and propogate knowledge



OK, I gave you some knowledge, and you replied this -
Quote

Blah blah blah. I knew the spammers and trolls would engage at some point



Pick your poison dickhead, you can have it the way you want, or you can have the truth. In this case, it seems, you cannot have both as they are not the same thing.

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I knew the spammers and trolls would engage at some point. I just like to know the rules,



First, Dave has more knowledge and experience than you will ever have, and he spends a fair amount of time dispensing that knowledge. You'd do well to pay attention to what he's saying.

Second, if you like to know what the rules are then you should probably try reading them. FAA and USPA rules, regs and recommendations are all available on the internet and are not hard to find. You never know what you might learn...
Do you want to have an ideagasm?

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Let's quit bullshitting people and propogate knowledge



OK, I gave you some knowledge, and you replied this -j
Quote

Blah blah blah. I knew the spammers and trolls would engage at some point



Pick your poison dickhead, you can have it the way you want, or you can have the truth. In this case, it seems, you cannot have both as they are not the same thing.



No need to be Uncivilized. Thank ya for the link brothah!

Chill yall! It's cool . We're on the same team. Not everyone who tries to learn the truth is your enemy.

My DZO is the best. I told him I wouldn't wear my video goggles anymore. I just wanted to know the truth. Since they won't tell me. Two weeks ago I could have died due to their negligence. And its a matter of video goggle history. Did I get a lawyer?

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