terms & conditions

THE ARMY PARACHUTE ASSOCIATION – TERMS AND CONDITIONS

(March 2024) (Home of Army Parachuting)

Membership

1. British Skydiving (BS) and Army Parachute Association (APA). It is mandatory for all parachutists at Netheravon to be a member of both the BS and APA. Membership for both can be applied for on arrival at Netheravon. In the case of first jump students (Tandem, Static Line or AFF), P6 membership (the minimum requirement) is included in the price of the course.
2. Rules. All parachutists, Student, Intermediate or Advanced are to abide by the (APA) Membership Rules whilst on the ground, or in the air at Netheravon. Membership Rules are printed on the reverse of the membership form, and can be downloaded from www.netheravon.com
3. Military Training. The Army Parachute Association is a tenant of the MOD at Airfield Camp, Netheravon. The camp is situated within Salisbury Plain Training Area. On occasions military training activity will impose limitations on the hours and days of operation of the APA, mainly due to airspace restrictions. This could be at short notice, and beyond the control of the APA. The APA therefore, accepts no responsibility for re-scheduling parachuting opportunities due to such activity.
4. Joint Services Adventure Training (JSAT). During most weekdays throughout the year, Netheravon drop zone will be conducting JSAT parachute training. That activity has priority over the use of the drop zone, and APA activity is co-ordinated around the requirements of JSAT. APA full and temporary members are to bear this in mind whilst on the drop zone mid-week.
5. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). All parachutists are encouraged to read the APA’s SOPs. Instructors and pilots are required to do so. The SOPs are available to view in the Chief Instructors office.
6. Military Membership. Military membership of the APA is available to the following categories:
   a. Regular Serving personnel in The Army or Royal Navy or RAF
   b. Dependents of category a. Dependents include spouses and children in full time education (including university). It does not include extended family.
   c. Reservists in the Services at Category A who are in possession of evidence that they contributed sufficient service to receive an annual bounty. In the event less than one year has been served, a letter from the Commanding Officer of the Unit stating the individual is suitable for military status within the APA is required.
   d. Any veteran who has completed a minimum of 3 years regular service or a minimum of 5 years of service with the reserves.
   e. Any personnel who have been medically discharged from the Armed Forces.
   f. Members of University Officer Training Corps (UOTC) and School CCF Units.
7. Civilian Membership. Civilian membership is available to members of the public, not included in paragraph 6. Please note that civilian membership is required for members of the Emergency Services, Civil Servants working for the Ministry of Defence, Defence Fire Services, and other support services to the MOD, but who are not serving military personnel. Full APA membership is included for personnel that pay for the full AFF Course and for all Static Line Students.
8. First Jump Students (to include Static Line, Accelerated Freefall and Tandem descents) will be issued with P6 membership of the BS (which covers one year of unlimited tandem skydiving, static-line parachuting, or Accelerated
   Freefall Level 1 jumps). To progress in the sport, the student will need to convert to full BS membership. Temporary membership is also available to parachutists who do not intend to be regular jumpers with the Army Parachute Association, but who are visiting from foreign countries, or other UK drop zones, but are attending an event hosted by the APA.
9. Non Jumping Membership. There is no specific membership provision for non-jumping personnel.
10. Membership Refusal. The Chairman of The APA may withhold APA approval, recognition, or membership from any person, subject to ratification by the APA Executive Committee and confirmation in writing to those concerned.
11. Vouchers. All vouchers, including Tandem Skydive, and Accelerated Freefall (AFF) and gift vouchers of other denominations, are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. They must be redeemed within the year, at which point the student is booked in for initial training. Once the initial training has taken place, a tandem student then has a further year in which to carry out their jump, during which period they are covered by the British Skydiving 3rd Party Insurance policy. The validity of the tandem jump will expire one year after initial training has taken place. Vouchers are non-refundable but may be transferred in the event of the recipient not being able to carry out their tandem skydive or course.
12. Refresher Training Availability. Refresher training is free of charge when conducted within the stipulated 3 month period, from the date of the last jump. It is only guaranteed to be available during APA operating days of Fri, Sat & Sun. On weekends, a Duty Instructor is employed to carry out refresher and development training. The refresh takes place at 0800 at a weekend.
13. Deposits. The APA charge a non-refundable deposit of £50 for all Tandem, Static Line and AFF Level 1 bookings, made directly with the APA. The balance of the skydive will be paid for on arrival at the APA. The deposit secures the customer a place for the type of parachute jump they wish to undertake, on the date they have requested. (weather permitting.) The APA makes no charge for subsequently altering the proposed date, as long as sufficient notice is given. In the event a customer carries out initial ground school training on the date of their jump, but is unable to carry out the jump due to poor weather, or any other factor, it is their responsibility to arrange a return date to complete the jump. No charge is made for this rebook. Although non-refundable, deposits can be transferred if you are unable to rebook.
14. Agency Customers. Customers who have booked their skydive through an external agency, and paid their deposit to the agency, are not required to pay a deposit to the APA. They will simply pay for the balance of their skydive on arrival. If the customer wishes to change the dates of their skydive prior to their jump, they should do so through their chosen agency. Customers are strongly advised to read and understand the Terms and Conditions of the Agency.
15. Cancellations. Refunds may be made upon a formal request to the APA. A £50 ‘administration fee’ which includes the £30 fee for the irrecoverable 3rd party British Skydiving insurance policy will be levied regardless of the reasons for cancellation. In the event a customer cancels their jump having undertaken initial training, and requests a refund, a £50 administration fee will be levied.
16. Payment. The APA is a cashless organisation. Methods of payment accepted at the APA include credit and debit card and BACS transfer.
17. BS 3rd Party Insurance. Any parachutist who jumps with the Army Parachute Association at Netheravon is required to be a member of British Skydiving (National Governing Body) and is therefore protected by the BS 3rd Party Insurance policy, to a maximum level of £10,000,000. The Army Parachute Association itself, as well as its instructors and pilots, are members of the same policy. Please visit www.britishskydiving.org to understand the content and limitations of the BS policy.
18. Personal Accident Insurance. There is no personal accident medical insurance cover included in the BS policy, and all parachutists are therefore, strongly recommended to take out personal accident insurance that covers skydiving. A link to this can be found on the web site https://www.netheravon.com/tandem/faqs/
19. Media Package. It is possible to purchase a media package of your skydive experience. This service is only available for Tandem Skydives and Accelerated Freefall jumps. Booking and payment for the service is made on arrival at the drop zone or in advance. You should receive your fully edited film via a downloadable ‘Wetransfer’ link by email, on the day of your jump. By purchasing a media package, you agree to grant the APA a royalty-free, non-exclusive licence to use any videos or other images for marketing purposes.
20. Failure of Footage. Due to the complexities of producing the product, and the influence of the atmosphere on camera equipment in freefall, the APA makes no guarantee that filming will be successful. The quality of the product is intended to be exceptionally high, but on occasions adverse circumstances will affect the ability of the cameraman, or equipment to reach the intended standard. Where there has been a complete failure to produce the product, the APA agrees to offer a refund on the video purchase. However, with such a misfortune, for whatever reason, whilst regrettable, the customer will not be entitled to a repeat skydive at zero cost.
21. Partial Failure of Footage. Where there has been a partial failure, no refund will be available, as the APA and cameraman have already incurred the costs of attempting to produce the product. A partial failure is defined as a product where it is possible to view the student for part of their skydive. No guarantee is made to capture the aircraft ride, the exit from the aeroplane, or landing of the parachute.
22. Still Photographs. In conjunction with the media package, still photographs of the skydive are offered as a free gift where possible. There is no charge for the photographs, and no refunds are available in the event they are not produced.
    

General

1. APA Operating Periods. The APA is usually open to military and civilian parachutists on Wednesday and Friday afternoons from 12pm and all weekends including bank holiday Mondays. All opening times mentioned above are subject to change without notice.
2. Access to Airfield Camp. Entrance to the camp is controlled by a military guardroom. All adults (16 years +) are required to show photograph identification. A passport or photo driving licence is ideal, but any other reasonable identification, combined with a utility bill detailing a home address should suffice. Visitors are also required to complete the Netheravon Guest Proforma and return to the Guard Room on the day of their visit. This form can be found within your information pack.
3. Spectators. For security reasons, there may be occasions where the number of spectators may be limited. All spectators must be booked in prior to the date of attendance.
4. Weight Limits. The maximum weight limit for tandem skydiving is 16 stone. The maximum weight for Static Line or AFF is 14st. The student’s weight and height ratio should be within the limits of an acceptable Body Mass Index (BMI) table.
5. Age limits. Students can undertake parachuting within the ages of 16-17yrs only with signed parental, or guardian consent. The necessary form (BS form 106) is available for download, or from the APA office. Static Line and AFF courses can be started up to the age of 55 yrs. There is no upper age limit for tandem skydiving, as long as a form 115a has been signed by the customer or the doctor has approved the student to be sufficiently fit for the activity as required.
6. Medical Declarations. All tandem parachutists are required to complete a medical self-declaration (BS form 115(a) unless there is a pre-existing condition, in which case they should take form 115(b) to their doctor and get the doctor to sign and stamp the form. These should be brought to the drop zone on the day of your jump.
   Students aged 16-17yrs are required to have their parent or guardian sign the form. This can happen at the drop zone, providing a parent is present.
   For parachutists on AFF or Static Line courses, all students should sign a medical form 115c. There is no longer a requirement for anyone aged 40+ to have a doctor’s certificate unless you have a pre-condition which needs to be checked over by a doctor. If this is necessary then BS form 115(d) will require a doctors’ signature. In this instance, DO NOT post the completed form to the APA. This is your personal possession, and you are required to bring it with you on the day of your jump. Please note, that letters from doctors are not acceptable as an alternative to the BS medical forms, as the correct forms provide the doctor with pertinent information about the physiological effects of skydiving. Equally, other professional medicals (such as pilot medicals) are not acceptable.
7. Lost Property. The APA accepts no responsibility for lost property.
8. Alcohol. You must not consume alcohol on the day of your jump (until it is completed), or to excess the night before. The APA has a bar on site, which is generally open on Friday and Saturday evenings. As the bar is located on a military site, suitable behaviour is required.
9. Chief Instructor Discretion. Ultimately, the decision as to whether or not you will be permitted to jump with the APA lies with the Chief Instructor, or their nominated deputy. If in their opinion you are not physically suited to conduct a parachute jump, or your ability to understand ground training is in question, or an action you have committed whilst on the ground, or in the air casts doubt over your suitability, or you appear to be intoxicated, or for any other reason the Chief Instructor considers you to be a potential danger to yourself or others, you will not be permitted to jump. Partial refunds for your costs will be considered at the discretion of the APA COO.
10. Disclaimer. Parachuting and Skydiving is considered to be an adventurous sport, where there is a risk of personal injury or death. Similar risks apply to many other adventurous sports, or activities. Every possible precaution is made at the Army Parachute Association to minimize the chances of personal injury, but the possibility still exists. If you cannot accept the possible consequences of personal injury, or death, then you should not skydive. You will be asked to sign the following declaration at your initial training:
    Tandem: I have received training and am prepared to carry out a tandem parachute jump. I fully understand that there is a serious risk of injury or death regardless of the standards of instruction, training and equipment used. I voluntarily accept all the risks associated with my participation in a tandem parachute jump. I accept that it is my responsibility to carry out the commands given to me by my instructor at all times. This includes instruction on the ground, in the aircraft and during the parachute descent. I accept that it is my responsibility to actively participate in the landing. I understand that this will involve lifting my legs and feet when told to do so by my instructor when coming into land.
    Static Line and Accelerated Freefall: I fully understand that there is a serious risk of injury or death regardless of the instruction, training and equipment used. I voluntarily accept all the risks associated with my participation in a parachute descent.
11. Dogs: Visiting dogs are not permitted on the site.
12. Drugs: The APA adopts the MOD’s ‘Zero Tolerance’ policy to the misuse of drugs