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PARACHUTE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
GOLD CANYON, AZ · EIN 311052827 · Form 990 · FY2021 · Small ($100K-$1M) · www.pia.com
revenue
$279K
expenses
$123K
net assets
$852K
employees
0
mission · from form 990

TO IMPROVE THE SAFETY AND TECHNICAL ISSUES OF THIS SEGMENT OF AVIATION THROUGH THE USE OF BROCHURES, POSTERS, INTERNET, AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Parachute Industry Association (PIA) is a global trade association for the parachute industry. It serves as a central resource for manufacturers, riggers, instructors, and other professionals involved in parachute design, production, and use. PIA facilitates networking, promotes safety standards, and represents the interests of its members worldwide.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2021

what they reported doing

Program narrative the organization filed with the IRS. Ordered by program spending.

  1. #1 primary $0
    THE PIA SUPPORTS MEMBERS SHARING INDUSTRY INFORMATION WITH BIANNUAL MEETINGS, INCLUDING BREAKOUT COMMITTEE SESSIONS AS WELL AS MEETINGS WITH THE ENTIRE MEMBERSHIP. THE MISSION OF MANY OF THE PIA COMMITTEES (TECHNICAL, RIGGING, ETHICS, RISK MANAGEMENT, ETC.) IS TO ENHANCE THE SAFETY OF EQUIPMENT AND JUMPERS.
  2. #2 $0
    EVERY OTHER YEAR, PIA PRESENTS A 5-DAY SYMPOSIUM WITH AN EXHIBIT HALL AND SEMINARS ON VARIOUS TOPICS OF INTEREST TO SKYDIVERS, RIGGERS, MANUFACTURERS, ETC.
named programs · 1 · from sources

what they call their work

PIA Members
A directory of member companies and individuals involved in the parachute industry, categorized by country.
activities · 8 groups

what they do

  • Parachute Safety Standards Development & Advocacy 12 activities
    • Advocacy and Government Relations
      The organization represents the parachute industry and facilitates interaction with government agencies, including submitting petitions to modify regulations.
    • Advocacy and Government Relations
      The organization represents the parachute industry and facilitates interaction with government agencies, including submitting petitions to modify regulations.
    • Advocate for industry regulatory changes
      Represents the parachute industry in interactions with government agencies, including submitting joint petitions to modify regulations—such as FAA rules for foreign skydivers—and facilitating ongoing dialogue through the Government Systems Committee.
    • Advocates for regulatory changes in parachute industry policies
      Engages in advocacy by submitting joint petitions to federal agencies, such as the FAA, to modify rules affecting foreign skydivers using personal equipment in the United States.
    • Advocates for the parachute industry with government agencies
      Represents the parachute industry in interactions with government bodies such as the FAA, including submitting joint petitions to modify rules for foreign skydivers using personal equipment in the U.S. Facilitated by the Government Systems Committee.
    • Develop technical standards and specifications
      Reviews and develops non-government standards and specifications for parachutes and components through the Specifications Committee and the Parachute Certification Standards Committee, with the goal of global adoption by government bodies.
    • Developing and Maintaining Industry Standards
      The organization reviews military and industry specifications, develops non-government standards, and creates and maintains parachute certification standards intended for worldwide government bodies.
    • Developing and Maintaining Industry Standards
      The organization reviews military and industry specifications, develops non-government standards, and creates and maintains parachute certification standards intended for worldwide government bodies.
    • Develops technical standards and specifications for parachutes
      Reviews and develops non-government standards and specifications for parachutes and components through its Specifications Committee. Creates and maintains certification standards intended for adoption by global government bodies via the Parachute Certification Standards Committee.
    • Member Services and Representation
      The organization promotes membership, presents applicants, represents and serves the needs of riggers and dropzone operators, and provides methods for managing liability and risk to its members.
    • Member Services and Representation
      The organization promotes membership, presents applicants, represents and serves the needs of riggers, and maintains a committee to represent commercial and non-profit parachuting operators.
    • Supports riggers and dropzone operators through specialized committees
      Represents and serves the needs of parachute riggers by promoting and coordinating rigging-related programs through the Rigging Committee. Also supports commercial and non-profit dropzone operators via the ad-hoc Dropzone Operator’s (DZO) Committee.
  • Member Recognition Awards 5 activities
    • Administer awards and recognition programs
      Accepts nominations, reviews candidates, and presents awards such as the Don Beck Memorial Award through its Awards Committee to recognize enduring achievements in the parachute industry.
    • Administers awards and recognition programs
      Accepts nominations, reviews eligibility, and recommends recipients for industry awards, including the Don Beck Memorial Award, which recognizes enduring achievements in the field.
    • Awards and Recognition
      The organization accepts nominations, recommends, and reviews awards for eligible recipients, including presenting the Don Beck Memorial Award for long-standing achievements.
    • Awards and Recognition
      The organization accepts nominations, recommends, and reviews awards for eligible recipients, including presenting the Don Beck Memorial Award for long-standing achievements.
    • Presents industry recognition awards
      Recognizes long-standing achievements in the parachute industry through awards such as the Don Beck Memorial Award.
  • Member Networking & Communication Services 4 activities
    • Communications and Marketing
      The organization consolidates and coordinates all information and communication products, services, and tasks, and promotes itself through advertising, merchandising, and special event promotion.
    • Communications and Marketing
      The organization consolidates and coordinates all information and communication products and services, and promotes itself through advertising, merchandising, and special event promotion.
    • Conducts marketing and promotional activities
      Promotes the organization and its events through advertising, merchandising, and special event promotion, including organizing a Riverboat Dinner Cruise for attendees during meetings, managed by the Marketing Committee.
    • Coordinate communications and marketing
      Consolidates and manages all organizational communication products and services through the Communications Services Committee, and promotes the association through advertising, merchandising, and special event promotion via the Marketing Committee.
  • Technical Safety Guide Development 4 activities
    • Produce technical safety and procedural guidance
      Drafts technical documents, recommended procedures, and safety bulletins, coordinates technical investigations with external groups, and disseminates findings to the parachuting and aviation communities via the Technical Committee.
    • Produces technical safety documentation and investigations
      Drafts technical documents, recommended procedures, and safety bulletins for membership approval. Coordinates technical investigations with external groups and disseminates findings to the parachuting and aviation communities through the Technical Committee.
    • Technical Document Development and Investigations
      The organization drafts technical documents, recommended procedures, and safety bulletins, coordinates investigations with outside technical groups, and releases findings to the public and relevant communities.
    • Technical Document Development and Investigations
      The organization drafts technical documents, recommended procedures, and safety bulletins, coordinates investigations with outside technical groups, and releases findings to the public and relevant communities.
  • Professional Association Conferences & Events 3 activities
    • Host and coordinate regular meetings and symposia
      Organizes and runs biennial symposia and regular meetings for the parachute industry, including logistics, venue coordination, and attendee events such as the Riverboat Dinner Cruise. Recent events include the 2025 PIA Symposium in Daytona and the 2025 First Regular Meeting in Portsmouth, VA.
    • Hosts regular meetings and symposia for industry members
      Organizes and hosts official gatherings for the parachute industry, including the annual PIA Symposium and regular meetings such as the 2025 First Regular Meeting in Portsmouth, VA, and the 2026 2nd regular meeting held August 20–22.
    • Hosts regular meetings and symposia for the parachute industry
      Organizes and runs biennial symposia and regular meetings for industry stakeholders, including the 2025 PIA Symposium at the Hilton Daytona and the 2025 First Regular Meeting in Portsmouth, VA. Coordinates logistics and locations through its Meeting Logistics Committee.
  • Bylaws and Governance Documentation 2 activities
    • By-Laws Management
      The organization maintains an ad-hoc By-Laws Committee to address issues or changes to its By-Laws as needed.
    • By-Laws Management
      The organization maintains an ad-hoc By-Laws Committee to address issues or changes to its By-Laws as needed.
  • Member-Focused Social Events 1 activity
    • Organizes networking and social events for meeting attendees
      Facilitates social engagement among members during official gatherings, such as organizing a Riverboat Dinner Cruise for attendees on August 21st.
  • Uncategorized 7 activities
    • Manage membership and internal committees
      Oversees membership applications, promotes membership growth, and maintains ad-hoc and standing committees—including the By-Laws Committee and the Dropzone Operator’s (DZO) Committee—to serve the needs of riggers, operators, and other stakeholders.
    • Manages membership and organizational governance
      Processes membership applications, promotes membership growth, and presents applicants to the organization through the Membership Committee. Maintains governance through ad-hoc committees including the By-Laws Committee and the Dropzone Operator’s (DZO) Committee to address structural and operational needs.
    • Organizing Meetings and Symposia
      The organization plans and hosts regular meetings and a biennial symposium for its members, including logistics and special events like dinner cruises.
    • Organizing Meetings and Symposia
      The organization plans and hosts regular meetings and a biennial symposium for its members, including logistics and special events like dinner cruises.
    • Provide risk management resources
      Supports members in managing liability and other risks through the Risk Management Committee, which provides methods and guidance on risk mitigation.
    • Provides risk management and communication services to members
      Offers members guidance and tools for managing liability and other risk-related issues through the Risk Management Committee. Consolidates and coordinates all organizational communication products, services, and tasks via the Communications Services Committee.
    • Risk Management Guidance
      The organization provides members with methods for managing liability and other risk management issues.
financials · form 990 · fy2021
revenue
Total revenue$279K
Contributions & grants$61K22%
Program service revenue$218K78%
Investment income$7710%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$123K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$857K
Cash$547K
Investments$310K
Liabilities$6K
Net assets$852K
Liquid reserves83.8 mo
2 years on record · 2020–2021 · YoY revenue +79.5%
relationships · 39

who they work with

  • Aerostar International, Inc. Partner — Aerostar International, Inc. is a member of the Government Systems Committee.
  • Airborne Systems Partner — Airborne Systems is a member of the Government Systems Committee.
  • Australian Parachute Federation Partner — Member organization supporting parachuting activities in Australia
  • Bae Systems Partner — Bae Systems is a member of the Government Systems Committee.
  • Ballenger International LLC Partner — Chris Christenson, Chair of the Symposium Committee, is from Ballenger International LLC.
  • Bally Ribbon Mills Partner — Bally Ribbon Mills is a member of the Government Systems Committee.
  • Belton Industries Partner — Belton Industries is a member of the Government Systems Committee.
  • Butler Parachute Systems Partner — Butler Parachute Systems is a member of the Government Systems Committee.
  • Canadian Sport Parachuting Association Partner — Jointly submitted a petition to the FAA with PIA to modify rules for foreign skydivers.
  • Capewell Aerial Systems Partner — Capewell Aerial Systems is a member of the Government Systems Committee.
  • Complete Parachute Solutions Partner — T.K. Donle, Chair of the Technical Committee, is from Complete Parachute Solutions.
  • Complete Parachute Solutions, Inc. Partner — Complete Parachute Solutions, Inc. is a member of the Government Systems Committee.
  • DJ Associates, Inc. Partner — Mike Beck, Chair of the Awards Committee, is from DJ Associates, Inc.
  • DZONE® Franchising Corporation Partner — Abbie Mashaal, Chair of the Dropzone Operator’s (DZO) Committee, is from DZONE® Franchising Corporation.
  • Ejj Publishing & Literary Services Partner — Ejj Publishing & Literary Services is a member of the Government Systems Committee.
  • FXC/Guardian Parachute Partner — FXC/Guardian Parachute is a member of the Government Systems Committee.
  • Federal Aviation Administration Government — Regulatory body with which PIA submitted a petition for rule changes affecting foreign skydivers.
  • HLC Industries, Inc. Partner — HLC Industries, Inc. is a member of the Government Systems Committee.
  • Hilton Memphis Partner — Hosted the 2nd regular meeting in Memphis, TN.
  • Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) Partner — Works together on industry standards and practices
  • International Skydiving Instructors Association (ISIA) Partner — Collaborates on standards and training for skydiving instructors
  • International Skydiving Museum And Hall Of Fame Partner — Supports the preservation and promotion of skydiving history
  • Law Offices Of Robert L. Feldman Partner — Robert Feldman, Chair of the Risk Management Committee, is from Law Offices Of Robert L. Feldman.
  • Milliken & Co. Partner — Milliken & Co. is a member of the Government Systems Committee.
  • Mills Manufacturing Partner — Mills Manufacturing is a member of the Government Systems Committee.
  • Narricot Industries Partner — Narricot Industries is a member of the Government Systems Committee.
  • Para Concepts Partner — Kirk Smith, Chair of the Rigging Committee, is from Para Concepts.
  • Paradigm Parachute & Defense Partner — Eric Blissmer, Chair of the Government Systems Committee, is from Paradigm Parachute & Defense.
  • Paradigm Parachute & Defense Inc. Partner — Heather Rinaldi, Chair of the Membership Committee, is from Paradigm Parachute & Defense Inc.
  • Paranetics Technology, Inc. Partner — Paranetics Technology, Inc. is a member of the Government Systems Committee.
+ 9 more