Everybody seems to be getting confused by this (from the Paranz letter):

my expectations are that parachutist certificates issued under my delegated authority are to be recognised across the parachuting sector by the various Part 149 Aviation Recreation Organisations.

and this (from the NZPF letter):

In effect the only way that a parachutist can comply with a 149 organisations exposition is to hold a certificate issued by that organisation.

There really is no conflict between these two letters. People are reading the “recognised” in the director’s letter and thinking “NZPIA must recognise my NZSA certificate and let me jump”. It doesn’t mean that at all. It just means that they can’t say “I don’t know what that is”. They must recognise that a person with an NZSA “A” certificate has completed the training NZSA says they have and they must accept it as evidence when processing applications to issue their own certificate. They still have to issue their own certificate.

Ivan

Important letter to ALL Part 149 organisations of the NZ parachuting community.
C-73845-01 (DW1188250-0)
18 September 2009,
To: PARANZ CEO,
Copies to: Mr Keith Gallaher
NZPIA CEO
Mr Gareth Jacobs
NZSA CEO

Parachutist Certificates

As a result of recent correspondence received by the CAA I have decided to write to all the parachuting sector Part 149 organisations’ CEOs to clarify my expectations with regard to the recognition of parachutist certificates issued by Part 149 Organisations other than their own.
Parachutist certificates are aviation documents issued under my delegated authority and in accordance with the organisations exposition. The organisations’ expositions have been accepted by the CAA and detail both the requirements and associated procedures for the issue of parachutist certificates.

Although I have delegated certain of my powers to you to issue parachutist certificates, the final responsibility for the issue of these certificates remains mine. It is on this basis that I must advise you that my expectations are that parachutist certificates issued under my delegated authority are to be recognised across the parachuting sector by the various Part 149 Aviation Recreation Organisations.

Parachute operators will, of course, have the option of conducting a competency assessment of new or unknown parachutists wishing to exercise the privileges of their certificate at any of your drop zones, in the same way that aero clubs or flight training organisations hiring an aircraft to a pilot licence holder may require a competency check for anyone who is new or unknown to the organisation.

It is also my expectation that senior persons, in particular the delegation holder, within a Part 149 Organisation conduct the business of the organisation in a harmonious and cooperative manner when dealing with clients including other Part 149 Organisations.

Yours faithfully,
Steve Douglas,
Director of Civil Aviation.