23/04/2026
There’s some misconception that Skydiving equipment rules in Australia are fundamentally different from the rest of the world.
In short, they are not.
Aviation, including parachuting, operates within a global framework led by organisations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization(ICAO). National regulators like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), European Union Aviation Safety Agency(EASA), and Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) apply these principles locally.
Australia is part of that system — not separate from it.
From a practical perspective, the core principles are consistent worldwide:
- Certification is one method of demonstrating airworthiness — not a universal requirement
- Aviation authorities (not manufacturers) define what is acceptable or approved
- Legally binding requirements come from regulations and Airworthiness Directives
- Manufacturer manuals and service bulletins are guidance unless formally incorporated into regulation
- Responsibility for equipment safety ultimately rests with qualified riggers and operators
Certification and airworthiness authority reside with the aviation authority.
It is also important to understand that the International Civil Aviation Organisation framework does not mandate certification of parachutes. This is reflected in different regulatory approaches:
- The Federal Aviation Administration uses TSO systems for some parachutes (e.g. reserves, harness/containers)
- European Union Aviation Safety Agency has moved away from requiring certification in the same way
- Civil Aviation Safety Authority has not imposed a universal certification requirement
Where some of the confusion may come from — and how it is managed in practice
Some uncertainty appears to arise from how different types of information are presented and interpreted. For example- the distinction between regulatory requirements and manufacturer guidance is not always clear. Terms like “approved” and “compliant” are sometimes used loosely rather than in their strict regulatory meaning. Advisory material (manuals, service bulletins) can be interpreted as mandatory without a formal basis. Local procedures or internal policies may be seen as equivalent to aviation regulations.
These overlaps are understandable. However, where requirements are not explicitly mandated, aviation still operates under established principles of airworthiness and professional judgement.
In this context, guidance from the Federal Aviation Administration(FAA) is helpful. In general terms, equipment is considered airworthy when it:
- Conforms to its original approved design (where applicable), and
- Is in a condition for safe operation
This same approach is reflected within the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) framework, including guidance such as AC 21-2, which distinguishes between approved and acceptable data and allows the use of manufacturer information where consistent with the approved design.
In practice, this means:
- Where formal requirements exist, they must be followed
- Where they do not, decisions rely on accepted practices, manufacturer guidance, and professional judgement
- The objective remains the same: ensuring equipment is safe and fit for use
To keep it simple:
- Reserve parachutes may be produced under certification systems (e.g. TSO), depending on the framework
- Main parachutesare generally not certified and are managed through rigger judgement and safe practice
- Service bulletinsare advisory unless formally adopted into regulation
These principles are consistent across the global aviation environment.
In Australia, parachuting operates under CASR Part 105, with delegated administration through organisations such as the Australian Parachute Federation. These systems are intended to apply and support established aviation principles — not replace or redefine them.
We are part of a broader aviation system with well-established principles and responsibilities — even where implementation may differ.
Keeping alignment with those principles helps maintain clarity, consistency, and ultimately, safety.
