terms & conditions

THE ARMY PARACHUTE ASSOCIATION – TERMS AND CONDITIONS

(February 2026) (Home of Army Parachuting)

Membership

1. British Skydiving (BS) and Army Parachute Association (APA). It is mandatory for all parachutists at Netheravon to be members of both BS and the 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 – must 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 the 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 rescheduling 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. This activity has priority over the use of the Drop Zone, and APA activity is coordinated 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 Instructor’s office.
6. Military Membership. Military membership of the APA is available to the following categories:
   a. Regular serving personnel in the Army, 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 have contributed sufficient service to receive an annual bounty. If less than one year has been served, a letter from the Commanding Officer stating that the individual is suitable for military status within the APA is required.
   d. Any veteran who has completed a minimum of three years’ regular service or a minimum of five years’ 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 who are not serving military personnel. Full APA membership is included for personnel who pay for the full AFF Course and for all Static Line students.
8. First Jump Students. First Jump Students (including Static Line, Accelerated Freefall and Tandem descents) will be issued with P6 membership of 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 APA but are visiting from foreign countries or other UK drop zones and 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, 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 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 BS Third-Party Insurance policy. The validity of the tandem jump expires one year after initial training has taken place. Vouchers are non-refundable but may be transferred if the recipient is unable to carry out their skydive or course.
12. Refresher Training Availability. Refresher training is free of charge when conducted within the stipulated three-month period from the date of the last jump. It is only guaranteed to be available during APA operating days (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). On weekends, a Duty Instructor is employed to carry out refresher and development training. The refresher takes place at 0830 on weekends.
13. Deposits. The APA charges a non-refundable deposit of £50 for all Tandem and Static Line bookings and £100 for all AFF Level 1 bookings made directly with the APA. The balance of the skydive is payable on arrival. The deposit secures the customer a place for the type of parachute jump requested on the chosen date (weather permitting). The APA makes no charge for subsequently altering the proposed date, provided sufficient notice is given. If a customer completes 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 rebooking. Although non-refundable, deposits may 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 that agency are not required to pay a deposit to the APA. They will pay the balance on arrival. If a customer wishes to change their skydive date prior to the jump, they should do so through their chosen agency. Customers are strongly advised to read and understand the agency’s Terms and Conditions.
15. Cancellations. Refunds may be made upon formal request to the APA. A £50 administration fee – which includes the £30 fee for the irrecoverable BS Third-Party Insurance policy – will be levied regardless of the reason for cancellation. If a customer cancels after undertaking initial training and requests a refund, a £50 administration fee will be levied.
16. Payment. The APA is a cashless organisation. Accepted payment methods include credit card, debit card and BACS transfer.
17. BS Third-Party Insurance. Any parachutist who jumps with the APA at Netheravon is required to be a member of BS and is therefore protected by the BS Third-Party Insurance policy to a maximum level of £10,000,000. The APA, its instructors and pilots are also members of this policy. Please visit www.britishskydiving.org to understand the content and limitations of the policy.
18. Personal Accident Insurance. There is no personal accident or medical insurance included within the BS policy. All parachutists are therefore strongly recommended to obtain personal accident insurance that covers skydiving. A link can be found at https://www.netheravon.com/tandem/faqs/
19. Media Package. A media package of your skydive experience may be purchased. This service is available for Tandem Skydives and AFF jumps only. Booking and payment may be made on arrival at the Drop Zone or in advance. You should receive your fully edited film by email and/or WhatsApp on the day of your jump. By purchasing a media package, you grant the APA a royalty-free, non-exclusive licence to use any videos or images for marketing purposes.
20. Failure of Footage. Due to the complexities of production and atmospheric influences on camera equipment in freefall, the APA makes no guarantee that filming will be successful. While the intended quality is exceptionally high, adverse circumstances may affect the ability of the camera flyer or equipment to achieve the intended standard. Where there has been a complete failure to produce the product, the APA will offer a refund for the video purchase. However, the customer will not be entitled to a repeat skydive at no cost.
21. Partial Failure of Footage. Where there has been a partial failure, no refund will be available, as the APA and camera flyer have already incurred production costs. A partial failure is defined as a product where the student is visible for part of the skydive. No guarantee is made to capture the aircraft ride, exit or landing.
22. Still Photographs. In conjunction with the media package, still photographs are offered as a complimentary gift where possible. There is no charge for the photographs, and no refunds are available if 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 1200 and all weekends, including bank holiday Mondays. Opening times 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 and over) must show photographic identification. A passport or photo driving licence is ideal, but other reasonable identification combined with a utility bill detailing a home address may suffice. Visitors must also complete the Netheravon Spectator Form no later than the Thursday before their skydive. This form will be emailed during the week of the jump.
3. Spectators. For security reasons, the number of spectators may occasionally be limited. All spectators must be booked in prior to attendance.
4. Weight Limits. The maximum weight limit for Tandem Skydiving is 16 stone. The maximum weight for Static Line or AFF is 14 stone. The student’s weight-to-height ratio must fall within acceptable BMI limits.
5. Age Limits. Students aged 16–17 years may parachute only with signed parental or guardian consent (BS Form 106). Static Line and AFF courses may be started up to the age of 55 years. There is no upper age limit for Tandem Skydiving, provided Form 115(a) is signed or a doctor approves participation using Form 115(b).
6. Medical Declarations.
   Tandem parachutists must complete a medical self-declaration (BS Form 115(a)). If a pre-existing condition exists, Form 115(b) must be signed and stamped by a doctor. Forms must be brought to the Drop Zone on the day of the jump.
   Students aged 16–17 years must have a parent or guardian sign the form.
   AFF or Static Line students must complete Form 115(c). There is no longer a requirement for those aged 40+ to obtain a doctor’s certificate unless a pre-existing condition requires review. In that case, Form 115(d) must be signed and stamped by a doctor. Completed forms MUST NOT be posted to the APA. This is your personal possession, and you are required to bring it with you on the day of your jump.  Letters from doctors or alternative professional medicals (e.g. pilot medicals) are not acceptable substitutes for BS medical forms.
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 excessively the night before. The on-site bar is generally open on Friday and Saturday evenings. As it is located on a military site, appropriate behaviour is required.
9. Chief Instructor Discretion. The decision as to whether you are permitted to jump rests with the Chief Instructor or their nominated deputy. If, in their opinion, you are not physically suited, unable to understand ground training, have behaved inappropriately, appear intoxicated, or pose a danger to yourself or others for any reason, you will not be permitted to jump. Partial refunds may be considered at the discretion of the APA COO.
10. Disclaimer. Parachuting and skydiving are adventurous sports carrying a risk of serious injury or death. Every precaution is taken to minimise risk, but the possibility remains. If you cannot accept these risks, you should not skydive. You will be asked to sign the following declaration at your initial training:
11. Tandem:I fully understand that there is a serious risk of injury or death regardless of 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 for at least 5 seconds when told to do so by my instructor. I fully understand that I am only covered by 3rd party insurance. Should I wish to purchase personal accident insurance I will arrange this myself.
12. 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.
13. Dogs. Dogs are not permitted on site.
14. Drugs. The APA adopts the MOD’s Zero Tolerance policy regarding drug misuse.