Flying for Skydive Operations - by FAA & USPA
"In the United States today, there are over 300 active skydiving centers and clubs. Throughout the US, these "drop zones" operate over 500 skydiving aircraft, referred to as jump planes. The Cessna 182 is the most common jump plane in use, so we will focus on this particular aircraft throughout the pamphlet.

Obviously, trained jump pilots are in high demand to help keep these aircraft flying. Although it is a rewarding and challenging opportunity, flying skydivers is unusually demanding on the pilot. Having actual skydiving experience can be helpful, but is not necessary. Training and preparation, however, are vital.

To help maintain high safety standard, the FAA and the US Parachute Association have collaborated to create this pamphlet and a video entitled Flying for Skydive Operations. The intent of this pamphlet is to describe specific flight operations and safety considerations that are needed when flying skydivers."


Skydiving Aircraft Operations Manual - by USPA
"This manual fully recognizes and appreciates that skydivers and their aircraft must share the airspace and often airports with others in aviation. It facilitates that sharing by standardizing skydiving aircraft operations, which in turn enhances trust and confidence in skydiving by other aeronautical users. Locally developed additions and supplements to this document are encouraged."


Jump Pilot Training Syllabus - by Chris Schindler
"This sample syllabus should be incorporated into your pilot training, but your training program should not be limited solely to this list. Aircraft operators should implement effective initial and recurrent training and examination programs that will address, at minimum, operation- and aircraft-specific weight-and-balance calculations, preflight inspections, emergency procedures and parachutist egress procedures. The aircraft-specific subject of fuel management must also be stressed. Add topics and questions relevant to your operation as necessary."

Formation Flying for Jump Pilots - by Chris Schindler
"One word summarizes the basis for successfully flying aircraft formations: planning. Whether you’re flying two Cessna 182s or a 12-aircraft formation for a world record, the same rules apply."

Flight Operations Handbook by Ray Ferrell
The Flight Operations Handbook, originally by Ray Ferrell, is an in-depth template to be used to cover a variety of topics related to aircraft procedures and pilot training for skydiving operations. It includes sections on several popular skydiving aircraft, and pilot flight competency and proficiency checks. This Word document may also be edited to suit company needs.

Jump Pilot Manual by Australian Parachute Federation
This Jump Pilot Manual provides a platform for the Australian Parachute Federation (APF) to  implement aviation standards for parachuting operations and issue competent Pilots with Jump Pilot Authorisations (JPA).

Jump Pilots Manual by British Skydiving
The Jump Pilots’ Manual (‘Pilot Manual’) is updated periodically, and bears its date of publication. As British Skydiving’s rules are continually evolving, the British Skydiving’s primary operational document, the British Skydiving Operations Manual, is regularly updated at meetings of British Skydiving’s Safety & Training Committee which are held every two months. Therefore, in the case of any conflict between rules or requirements set out in the Operations Manual and any other British Skydiving manual, the provisions in the Operations Manual shall always have primacy as the definitive statement of the current position.

Below you will find an informative video produced by the FAA titled "Flying for Skydiving Operations". You will also find a list of helpful resources for Skydive Pilots.