As we reflect on the APF Conference 2025, APF Technical Officer, Heath Baird, summarises the key messages, discussion points and lessons moving forwards.
Safety is Everyone's Responsibility
After a six-year hiatus, the Australian Parachute Federation made a long-awaited in-person return with its Annual Conference, reuniting the Australian and international skydiving community. Held against a backdrop of the beautiful Gold Coast, the conference drew strong attendance and overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees, and attracted manufacturers Cookie, United Parachute Technologies (UPT), Vigil and Cypres.
From tandem safety to sport jumper retention and canopy coaching evolution, the conference didn’t just reflect on where we’ve been, it focused on where we need to go. The APF extends its sincere thanks to everyone who attended, including the presenters, manufacturers and APF staff, for making the event such a success.
Here is a breakdown of what happened.
UPT Tandem Skydiving Seminar: Tandems to the Highest Standard
The tandem skydiving seminar was delivered by UPT’s Tandem Program Director, Neil Wilcox. The discussion focused on raising safety and training standards across all drop zones by aligning practices with the latest updates from UPT. Neil had the new Sigma 2 Tandem Container on display allowing attendees to wear the new system.
A primary focus was on the correct procedures regarding the reattachment of lower attachment points, following the recently updated UPT guidelines. Ensuring consistent application of these standards across all tandem instructors, DZSOs, and Chief Instructors will be a key step in improving safety nationwide. This was raised after the USPA issued a new basic safety regulation (BSR) requiring the reconnecting of the lower attachments, a decision made after the review of a recent serious incident in the United States.
Neil also introduced UPT’s revised emergency procedures and guidelines for canopy entanglements, which are expected to be adopted into APF’s instructor framework. Correct passenger harness adjustments and fitting was also discussed. Upcoming workshops led by Jules McConnel and Scott Hiscoe will give instructors more hands-on experience with correct fitting techniques to further educate tandem instructors.
Another big reminder was about gear: specifically, the Sigma Micro tandem system. It was built for use with 300+ square-foot canopies and using anything smaller can place additional stress on the system.
The seminar also revisited the ongoing debate around the use of Handcam, particularly the minimum experience levels required. Neil referenced a recent Handcam-related incident in the United States and encouraged performance-based assessment rather than relying solely on jump number thresholds. Discussions around a possible review of APF’s 100-jump minimum are ongoing, and APF is seeking further data to inform that decision.
Neil has been invited to return in early 2026 to deliver tandem examiner education, with a focus on standardisation and performance-based training.
AAD Manufacturers: Behind the Scenes
Representatives Karl Mayer from Vigil, and Carmen Hübner from CYPRES, offered a behind-the-scenes look at the latest automatic activation device technology. Their presentations covered current R&D work, new app features, information on arming and activation settings and a series of real-life save videos that underscored the life-saving role these devices can play.
One key message stood out: an AAD doesn’t deploy your reserve, it simply cuts the closing loop. What happens next depends entirely on how the reserve is packed and how well the system performs. A properly packed reserve is critical to ensuring the device can do its job effectively.
While AADs are an invaluable backup, they’re no substitute for responsible skydiving practices, sound decision-making and properly maintained gear. They’re the last line of defence.
Member Retention: A Call for Connection
APF Operations Manager, Wade Challenor, tackled one of the tougher truths; APF’s membership has been stuck around 3,200 for the past seven years. New jumpers often drop off soon after getting their Certificate A, and even Certificate B jumpers aren’t sticking around as much.
The reasons are familiar: financial pressure, unclear progression pathways and a lack of connection to the wider community. To turn that around, the APF is investing in structured mentorship programs, clearer development paths and more accessible coaching. There’s also talk about introducing gear rental support or financial help to keep promising skydivers from walking away simply because they can’t afford the next step.
Retention is a challenge that also extends to instructors. Since 2018, instructor numbers have slowly declined, driven by burnout and the demands of teaching without enough personal development. Wade shared ideas to change that; structured development plans, community-building events and creating more chances for instructors to get back to fun jumping to stay motivated.
Movement Jumps: Leading Development
Scott Hiscoe’s session focused on how movement flying has evolved and how much it has developed, with increased difficulty and consequences. What used to be simple tracking is now a complex mix of head-up, dynamic and multi-directional flying, which come with the need for clearer guidelines.
Scott introduced his draft of a national syllabus created with experienced skydivers from around the country in collaboration with the Burn Perspective crew. It’s designed to give flyers at all levels a safer and more structured pathway. His suggestion was a push to expand the Train the Trainer program, so that drop zones can ensure consistent, high-quality coaching when it comes to angle and dynamic jumps.
Discussions also highlighted the need for enhanced training of high-level leaders to manage group size, maintain quality, clearly define break-off procedures and establish minimum experience levels for participants in movement jumps. Many attendees agreed that newer skydivers are often joining these jumps prematurely, sometimes before fully mastering basic belly flying skills. There was broad support suggested for a proposal to raise the minimum entry requirement to a Certificate C level.
Canopy Coaching: Training Progression
Jules McConnel brought the focus back to the ground – literally - with a session on canopy coaching. While a national canopy progression syllabus is already in place, discussions at the conference highlighted that it is not always effective at drop zones. This lack of consistency is leading to varied training experiences for students across the country.
To address this, a new national Train the Trainer program will be launched in 2025 and 2026, led by Jules McConnel and Miles Cottman. The program will be delivered to all full-service training drop zones and is designed to support coaches and instructors in delivering a higher quality, more consistent canopy coaching. Each workshop will include drop zone specific incident reviews for both students and licensed sport jumpers, along with a detailed look at the strengths and weaknesses of current training practices. Participants will work together to develop practical solutions to improve their programs.
The workshops will also provide hands-on support for briefing and debriefing students, offering students technical assistance and conducting canopy coach jumps. In addition, the program will outline clear development pathways for both basic and high-performance canopy coaches, helping instructors advance their skills in a structured way.
Jules also noted that the current APF downsizing recommendations may need to be reviewed to better align with international standards. This could include introducing a defined canopy size range for downsizing and offering tiered recommendations based on the experience and skill level of the jumper.
This initiative reinforces the idea that safe and successful skydiving begins long before freefall, with the quality of instruction, the consistency of training and the strength of support provided on the ground.
Skydiver Sport Development: More Than Just a Jump
Panel discussion with Wade Challenor, Jeremy Bourne, Paul Smith, Valérie Schmidt and Heath Baird.
A recurring theme throughout the 2025 APF Conference was the importance of the human connection in skydiving. While structured training and certification pathways are essential, the panel highlighted that social connection, mentorship and a sense of belonging are vital to retaining skydivers at all levels.
There were several standout dropzones that were spotlighted as examples of strong community culture, an element directly linked to higher retention rates and long-term engagement. These drop zones demonstrate that fostering an inclusive environment and supporting progression beyond the first few jumps can make all the difference.
The panel explored several strategies to promote this culture nationwide. There was also strong support for celebrating milestones publicly using social media to share student achievements, recognise instructor contributions and share positive community stories. This ideology was seen as a simple but powerful way to boost morale and create a sense of belonging.
Pairing newly certified Certificate A holders with local mentors was another important suggestion. This approach would provide guidance and support during the often-challenging transition from structured student programs into the broader skydiving community, without relying solely on instructors to carry that load.
Ultimately, the panel underscored that technical progression must go hand in hand with personal connection.
Evolving the B-Rel: Improving the Training Journey
This workshop, facilitated by Jules McConnel, brought together instructors and coaches to explore how student training can better reflect how people learn, focusing on making skydiving progression safer, more practical and more intuitive. The group discussed introducing more gradual steps, low-pressure group jumps, as confidence builders before progressing to more advanced skills. These "stepping stones" could help bridge the gap between what’s being taught and what students are truly ready for.
To address this, early stages of the B-Rel program are being reviewed. There was a focus on the learning goals, not just teaching students how to fly near others, but a clarification on helping them understand how to dock safely and intentionally. It’s a subtle but meaningful shift that builds a stronger foundation for formation skydiving.
Movement and tracking were also hot topics. The concept was proposed to offer these as early, optional experiences, free from the pressure of formal progression dives. It would give students the chance to explore new skills in a low-stakes environment.
Canopy control was addressed as an area clearly needing more attention. Suggestions included optional canopy-focused jumps and more one-on-one coaching early in training. The goal: better feedback, stronger fundamentals and more confident students under canopy.
Instructor development was also part of the discussion. Participants agreed that instructors need more support, especially when it comes to teaching canopy skills effectively. A small team is already working behind the scenes to keep things moving, bringing together a broad mix of coaching and operational experience.
Tandem Safety: Progress with Results
Facilitated by Jules McConnel and Scott Hiscoe, tandem workshops have recently been rolled out again, reaching around 40 drop zones nationwide and the impact is measurable. Tandem landing injuries have seen a clear decline since the program began in 2018, highlighting how focused training and honest conversations can lead to real change.
These workshops are built around practical, on-the-ground learning. Instructors are observed during their normal day-to-day operations, with tandem landings quietly filmed to capture authentic behaviour. The footage is then reviewed as a group, opening the door to constructive feedback and learning. It's not about catching people out, it’s about creating space for open dialogue, shared experience and improvement.
Each session goes into detail, covering key areas like canopy control, human factors, emergency procedures, common injuries, correct harnessing, student handling, judging weather and improving landing techniques. The goal is to break down where things go wrong and help instructors build stronger, safer habits.
Looking ahead, future developments in the program aim to cover topics such as:
• Online safety seminars
• Hands-on drills focusing on harnessing and emergency responses
• Scenario-based training for in-aircraft emergencies.
More frequent regional workshops and structured incident debriefs are also on the table, which would help ensure broader access and continued growth.
There is also the need to educate instructors about the financial impacts of student injuries, using real case studies to show the wider consequences. This includes highlighting the high costs of litigation and the importance of consistency and following best practice and procedures on every jump.
The initiative is ongoing, and instructor feedback is playing a key role in shaping future content. The team is also working to identify drop zones that haven’t yet participated to ensure no one is left behind. In short, this program is not just reducing injury rates, it’s building a culture of safety, accountability and continuous improvement across the country.
Rethinking Downsizing: Time for a Culture Shift
JYRO's Chris Stewart presented data on one of the most persistent risks in skydiving: downsizing. Despite being a known factor in many injuries and fatalities, it still happens too often.
While the downsizing chart is due for a refresh, Chris pointed out that it’s not really about the numbers. It’s about culture. Too often, unsafe behaviour goes unchallenged. There’s also the trend of jumpers moving between drop zones to avoid scrutiny, while others stay quiet when they see something wrong. Accountability must be a shared responsibility across the entire community.
Chris called for a shift, away from relying solely on instructors or drop zones to enforce safety and toward a shared sense of responsibility. Tools like JYRO’s Wing Loading Calculator are great, but they only work if people use them honestly.
His message is clear: smarter downsizing starts with better tools, stronger education and a community-wide commitment to speaking up and looking out for one another.
Aircraft Safety: The Barwon Heads Incident
Presented by APF National Aviation Officer, Mark Edwards.
The engine failure of a C208 aircraft at Barwon Heads in 2024 was a stark reminder that aircraft safety isn't just a pilot’s responsibility, it involves everyone on board. While the pilot managed the situation professionally, the incident revealed critical gaps in jumper preparedness. Some weren’t familiar with emergency exits or brace positions and others had poorly fitted Single Point Restraints, increasing risk during the emergency landing.
In response, the APF, working closely with CASA and the ATSB have made a national commitment to implement annual aircraft emergency training for both jumpers and pilots. This training will cover everything from brace positions and emergency exit protocols to SPR placement, emergency communications and procedures for water landings or ditching.
On the technical side, a full review of the engine failure was provided by the NAO, along with targeted follow-up covering:
• Engineers receiving extra training on the specific engine type.
• An update to Pilot emergency procedures.
• Manufacturer checklists were revised, and CASA has been asked to monitor further improvements from Texas Turbines.
Lander and Rogers: Q&A
Q&A session with Amelia Lynch (Partner, Lander and Rogers) and Stephen Porter (APF CEO).
Members had the valuable opportunity to sit in on an informative legal Q&A session, that offered direct insights into risk mitigation strategies for the sport. The conversation highlighted the importance of strong administrative practices to support safety and legal compliance.
Amelia Lynch spoke candidly about the legal risks inherent in skydiving operations and the critical role of documentation in managing those risks. She expressed the importance of drop zones continuing to adopt proactive systems that anticipate legal needs before an incident occurs. Stephen Porter echoed this sentiment, underscoring that detailed and accurate record-keeping is not just best practice—it’s a legal requirement.
The speakers emphasised that drop zones must maintain up-to-date information on all aspects of their operations. This includes storing accurate records of jump logs, manifests, waiver forms, equipment maintenance dates and any interviews or witness statements collected, particularly following an incident. Secure documentation forms a key line of defence in the event of a claim.
The session served as a timely reminder that in a high-risk sport like skydiving, legal preparedness is as crucial as physical safety. For those who attended, it was a chance to reflect on current practices, ask pressing questions and come away with deeper understanding of risk management strategies.
Safety Overview & Fatalities: Insightful Overview and Analysis
Attendees were given a sobering yet insightful look into safety in Australian skydiving. APF Safety and Training Manager, Charl Rootman, delivered two highly informative sessions - one offering a broad safety overview and the second focusing on the fatalities that occurred in 2024.
In his first presentation, Charl explored skydiving raw data and safety statistics collected across Australia since the 1960s. This long-range view revealed how incident rates and types have evolved over the decades, shaped by changes in technology, training methods and culture within the sport.
Charl emphasised the relevance of Heinrich’s Triangle—a well-established safety model that highlights the link between minor incidents, near misses and serious accidents. His message: by reducing the volume of minor incidents, the industry can proportionally decrease the likelihood of severe outcomes. Prevention at the base of the triangle, he explained, is key to saving lives at the top.
The second session shifted focus to the fatalities that occurred in 2024. With a respectful and clinical approach, Charl presented a detailed breakdown of each incident, relying solely on verified data and avoiding speculation. The analysis was rooted in facts, offering attendees a clear and honest assessment of what occurred, what was known and where the learning opportunities lie.
It was a reminder of the responsibility shared by everyone in the skydiving community to remain vigilant, informed and committed to continuous improvement in safety practices.
For those who attended, Charl’s presentations weren’t just educational—they were a call to action.
Chief Instructor Meeting: Modernising the Backbone
At the Chief Instructor meeting, several updates were proposed to strengthen leadership and improve consistency across drop zones. The changes aim to improve and modernise instructor pathways, enhance communication and ensure certification levels reflect real-world experience.
One focus area is making it easier for overseas instructors to convert their ratings, while still maintaining high safety standards. A more flexible, skills-based approach is being considered, replacing rigid time-based requirements with practical assessments.
Certifications are also under review, with proposed changes to the jump numbers required for more experienced ratings. In parallel, there’s growing support for setting clearer prerequisites for dynamic movement jumps, ensuring jumpers have the experience needed before progressing into more complex disciplines.
A review on traditional revalidation processes is also underway. With a model focused on demonstrating current competence rather than just an online test. Supporting resources like practice exams and structured assessments will help ensure consistent standards across the board.
Other initiatives include improved education around logbook use, updates to safety protocols, improved tools for drop zone permissions and a renewed focus on emergency training days. Together, these updates represent a practical, forward-thinking attitude toward a stronger, safer instructional framework.
Not Operating Under CASA: Trusted by CASA
One of the standout presentations at this year’s conference came from Stephen Fickling, a representative of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), who gave attendees a clear and refreshing insight into the evolving partnership between CASA and the Australian Parachute Federation.
Speaking to a room of drop zone operators, instructors and skydiving enthusiasts, Stephen reaffirmed the regulator’s confidence in the APF’s role as a delegated authority under CASR Part 149. He described the relationship not just as a regulatory arrangement, but as a collaborative alliance that has matured over decades. Highlighting how the APF’s internal governance, training standards and safety audits form the backbone of one of the world’s most respected sport parachuting administering bodies.
The session left members with a renewed appreciation for the mutual trust and shared responsibility that underpin skydiving operations in Australia. It was a timely reminder that while the sport continues to evolve, the strong relationship between CASA and the APF ensures it will do so safely and sustainably.
Behind the Seams: Brett Newman's Gear & Packing Demo
A hands-on highlight of the conference was the live gear and packing demonstration by Brett Newman, the APF’s National Rigging Officer and owner of Downward Trend Rigging Loft. Equal parts educator and entertainer, Brett brought his decades of rigging experience to the conference floor with a session that was as informative as it was engaging.
Brett walked attendees through best practices for packing and equipment inspection techniques that every skydiver - from student to tandem master - should be across. He didn’t just explain how things work—he showed it in real time, sharing tips you won’t find in a manual and answering rapid-fire questions from the audience with clarity.
For newer jumpers, it was a chance to see the inner workings of their gear up close. For instructors and DZOs, it was a valuable refresher - and a reminder of how evolving materials, equipment design and wear-and-tear factors demand constant vigilance.
Brett’s session embodied the APF’s commitment to gear knowledge and safety culture, reinforcing that rigging isn't just a technical skill - it's a cornerstone of trust in our sport.
Looking Forward
The APF Conference 2025 didn’t just reunite the Australian skydiving community - it was the catalyst for progress and change. The community is back together, enjoying personal connection, sharing knowledge, tackling challenges head-on and shaping a future where skydiving is safer, more inclusive and more fun for everyone.
Whether jumping with a tandem for the first time or coaching your hundredth student, it’s clear: we’re all part of this journey. Here’s to flying higher, safer, and stronger together.
Safety is everyone’s responsibility.
Written by Heath Baird, APF Technical Officer.
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[Photo Sources: APF]