Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 4
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance
Airspace Structure; Human Factors; Procedure
Company X is a [skydiving] operations company that wants to operate at 13500 [feet]. We have attempted to have a signed LOA to attempt to standardize operations due to the close proximity to the LGA Arrivals. This has not happened as of date. The company has visited the facility and seen the operations and impact. We discussed points for the proposed LOA with the facilities and users involved. However no reply has been given on moving forward. This area is not the best area to conduct this type of operation; however ZNY has attempted to work with the users in a professional manner to resolve the safety issues at hand. The jump [activity] takes place directly over the arrival stream of the LGA arrivals. Have the company relocate to a better suited area. Just 5 miles north or south would increase the safety margin greatly; in addition a signed LOA would give outlines to responsibilities and expectations.
This skydiving operation has been going on for about 5 years. The reporter said that the FAA has attempted to get an LOA signed; but the owner of the company does not want to sign a binding contract. The reporter stated the area the jumpers are released is Class Echo airspace and the aircraft has every right to be there; but is putting a lot of things in jeopardy by doing so.
ZNY ARTCC Front Line Manager reports of a skydiving operation that is not signatory to a LOA with the FAA. The operation has skydivers dropping through an LGA arrival route.