Code of Professional Responsibility
The Parachute Industry Association is dedicated to the promotion of the highest principles of honesty, integrity, fairness and professional behavior in all of our dealings with our customers, the public at large, and amongst ourselves. We are an organization based in the United States with an international membership contingent and scope. Our ethical solidarity is only as strong as the cumulative quality of our individual members. Our membership extends beyond the bounds of most federal, state, and local customs of acceptable behavior; there may be issues on which we, as individual members, will disagree. It is imperative that all of our disagreements, arguments, accusations and methods of resolution be kept within the bounds of our organization. It is essential that we approach the outside world with a clear, common, and unified voice.
The purpose and goal of the Parachute Industry Association's Ethics Committee is to compose and maintain a working Code of Professional Responsibility, provide guidance to our membership, and to provide a forum for membership to voice opinions of violation of our Code of Professional Responsibility.
Specifically, we pledge to respect and follow these guidelines:
Each of us must strive to achieve excellence in the products and services we offer. It is imperative that we take steps to understand and avoid any situations which would project our industry in a less than positive way to those with whom we deal.
We must respect and protect the integrity of the property rights of others, whether intellectual property, trademarks, patents or copyrights. It is difficult if not impossible to conduct our business without making public some of the things we have worked hard to individually develop and earn.
We must know, understand, respect and obey existing laws having jurisdiction over our business activities. This pledge of compliance applies to laws extending from the international level down to and including of our own Standard Operating Procedures.
We must maintain a strong commitment to service. Our professional responsibilities must be bound by our commitment to perform as we have agreed or contracted. The quality of our work is only as strong as our commitment to take personal responsibility for the work which we perform.
We will avoid any falsification of records, including parachute maintenance records, aircraft logbooks and maintenance records, certification records, component testing and laboratory reports, and any other document alteration intended to mislead or deceive.
We must refrain from stating, publishing, or otherwise posting product or services claims which are not consistent with accuracy, and cannot be substantiated, including advertisements, promotional efforts, performance specifications, compliance certification, or any other false claims which are perceived by our organization to be misleading and deceitful.
Member manufacturers of primary components must operate with a quality assurance system which has the capability to effectively handle recall of systems or components as necessary.
Use of parachute equipment will not be recommended outside of the manufacturer's published operational window. Parachute components will not be represented in any manner which is inconsistent with the manufacturer's intended purpose of that component.
We will refrain from providing a service or an opinion on matters which are outside the scope of our education, experience, or expertise.
For our students, we will follow a comprehensive course of instruction which is consistent with accepted common good and safe practice in the parachute community.
When providing equipment for use in parachute activities, we will provide proper, safe and airworthy equipment which is appropriate to the operation.
We will provide appropriate airlift which is maintained and operated in a safe and airworthy manner by authorized and appropriately rated personnel.
We will utilize only those modifications to aircraft intended to facilitate parachuting which have been done in accordance with accepted industry practice and which carry appropriate authorizations (i.e. inflight door, installation of steps, porches, handles and appendages.)
We will only introduce fuel into any aircraft if that fuel is intended and authorized for use into the powerplant of that particular aircraft. Only properly filtered fuel which is drawn from controlled and uncontaminated sources will be used.
We must recognize and avoid operational conflicts of interest which adversely effect our ability to conduct safe business practices.
A member of the Parachute Industry Association who is convicted, by a court or tribunal having jurisdiction, of conduct that is in conflict of this Code, may be subject to additional punishment from the PIA. This action could include actions available in accordance with the by-laws of the Parachute Industry Association and Roberts' Rules of Order.
Original Issue
PIA Ethics CommiteeFebruary 11, 1996
George Galloway, Chairman
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