Safety Regulation Group CAP 660 www.caa.co.uk
Safety Regulation Group CAP 660 July 2008
Civil Aviation Authority 2008 All rights reserved. Copies of this publication may be reproduced for personal use, or for use within a company or organisation, but may not otherwise be reproduced for publication. To use or reference CAA publications for any other purpose, for example within training material for students, please contact the CAA at the address below for formal agreement. ISBN 978 0 11792 060 6 First published February 1996 Second edition February 2000 Third edition March 2003 Fourth edition Fourth edition incorporating amendment 2007/01, dated October 2007 Fourth edition incorporating amendment 2008/01, dated July 2008 Enquiries regarding the content of this publication should be addressed to: Flight Operations Inspectorate (General Aviation), Safety Regulation Group, Civil Aviation Authority, Aviation House, Gatwick Airport South, West Sussex, RH6 0YR The latest version of this document is available in electronic format at www.caa.co.uk, where you may also register for e-mail notification of amendments. Published by TSO (The Stationery Office) on behalf of the UK Civil Aviation Authority. Printed copy available from: TSO, PO Box 29, Norwich NR3 1GN www.tso.co.uk/bookshop Telephone orders/general enquiries: 0870 600 5522 E-mail: book.orders@tso.co.uk Fax orders: 0870 600 5533 Textphone: 0870 240 3701
Amendment Record Amendment Number Amendment Date Incorporated by Incorporated on 2008/01 July 2008 CAA July 2008
Amendment Number Amendment Date Incorporated by Incorporated on
List of Effective Pages Chapter Page Date Chapter Page Date iii July 2008 Contents 1 Contents 2 Revision History 1 July 2008 Chapter 1 1 Chapter 1 2 Chapter 2 1 Chapter 2 2 Chapter 2 3 Chapter 3 1 Chapter 3 2 Chapter 3 3 Chapter 3 4 Chapter 3 5 Chapter 3 6 Chapter 3 7 July 2008 Chapter 3 8 July 2008 Chapter 3 9 July 2008 Chapter 3 10 July 2008 Chapter 3 11 July 2008 Chapter 3 12 July 2008 Chapter 3 13 July 2008 Chapter 3 14 July 2008 Chapter 3 15 July 2008 Chapter 3 16 July 2008 Chapter 3 17 July 2008 Chapter 3 18 July 2008 Chapter 3 19 July 2008 Chapter 3 20 July 2008 Chapter 3 21 July 2008 Chapter 4 1 Chapter 4 2 Chapter 4 3 Chapter 4 4 Chapter 5 1 Chapter 6 1 Chapter 6 2 Chapter 6 3 Chapter 6 4 Chapter 6 5 Chapter 6 6 Chapter 6 7 Appendix A 1 Appendix A 2 Appendix A 3 Appendix A 4 Appendix A 5 Appendix A 6 Appendix A 7 Appendix B 1 Appendix B 2 Appendix C 1 Appendix D 1 Appendix E 1 Appendix E 2 Appendix E 3 Appendix E 4 Appendix E 5 Appendix E 6 July 2008 Page iii
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Contents List of Effective Pages iii Revision History Chapter 1 Introduction Purpose and Scope 1 Applicability 1 Status of CAP 660 2 Chapter 2 Legal Requirements Air Navigation Order 1 Charges 1 Permissions and/or Exemptions 2 Operations Manual 3 Chapter 3 Operations Operator s Responsibility 1 Airspace Notification 2 Pilots 3 Aircraft 4 Aircraft Maintenance 6 Flying Operations 6 Records To Be Kept 10 Minimum Age For 11 Medical 11 Qualifications 11 Training And Supervision 12 Equipment 13 Parachute Packing 14 Parachute Landing Areas (PLAs) 15 Weather 15 Ground Control Organisation 16 Aeronautical Radio Stations 16 Safety In The Aircraft 17 Safety During Parachute Descents 17 Maximum Altitude 18 Unusual Activity 18 Incident and Accident Reporting and Investigation 19 Contents Page 1
Chapter 4 Displays Legal Requirements 1 Team Leader 2 Team Members 2 Display Landing Areas 2 Main Parachute Canopy 3 Reserve Parachute Canopy 3 Canopy Formation 3 Ancillary Equipment 3 Liaison and Reconnaissance 3 The Display 4 Incident Reports 4 Chapter 5 Monitoring and Audit Monitoring 1 Approval of Persons to Furnish Reports 1 Audit 1 Records 1 Chapter 6 Safety Management Systems and Risk Assessments What are RA? 1 Core definitions for RA 1 Why must RA be carried out? 1 How do I carry out RA? 2 Safety Management Systems (SMS) 2 Summary 7 Appendix A Guidance on compilation of a Operations Manual Purpose 1 Format 1 BPA Operations Manual 1 Local Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) 4 Appendix B Appendix C Appendix D Form SRG 1313 - Application for Grant or Renewal of Permission Procedure for notification of unusual parachuting activity, displays and night jumps Relevant Legislation The Air Navigation Order 2005 1 Appendix E Glossary Contents Page 2
Revision History Third edition March 2003 1 References in this third edition of CAP 660 are to the Air Navigation Order 2000. 2 The majority of changes made in preparing this edition are editorial in nature. These have been made where it was considered that the meaning of the text could be clarified. In addition, amendments have been made to enable recognition of the new FAI International Parachutist Certificate of Proficiency. Although this has necessitated changes to the way the qualification requirements for parachuting displays are stated in Chapter 4, the substance of those requirements has not been altered. 3 In Chapter 3, a new paragraph 20.2 has been added in relation to jumps from maximum altitude. This explains the underlying rationale and makes explicit the actions that must be taken if the ascent is prolonged, or delays at altitude expose parachutists to risk of hypoxia beyond the specified limits. 4 Significant amendments have been indicated by the use of a vertical line in the margin, as demonstrated to the left of this paragraph. Fourth edition March 2007 1 References in this fourth edition of CAP 660 are to the Air Navigation Order 2005. 2 All amendments are hi-lighted by vertical lines in the page margins. 3 A new chapter, Chapter 6, has been added, giving guidance on Safety Management Systems and Risk Assessment. Fourth edition, amendment 1/2007 October 2007 Chapter 3, paragraph 18 has been amended to add the latest guidance on seating and emergency procedures for parachutists. Fourth edition, amendment 1/2008 July 2008 Chapter 3 has been amended as follows: a) The "Maximum Altitude" limitations in the old paragraph 20 have been moved to paragraph 6.6 which is now entitled "Maximum Altitude and Flight Crew Oxygen Requirements". Paragraph 6.6 reflects the conditions of the Exemption for carriage and use of oxygen issued to all BPA Clubs and Teams. b) A new paragraph, paragraph 22, contains guidance on obstacle and runway marking. July 2008 Revision History Page 1
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Chapter 1 Introduction 1 Purpose and Scope 1.1 The purpose of CAP 660 is to set out minimum standards which the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will require to be satisfied prior to the grant or renewal of parachuting Permissions and any related Exemptions; and to indicate the CAA s requirements for the conduct of parachuting operations. 1.2 Further to the requirements, guidance directed primarily towards the conduct of sport parachuting indicates standards which are acceptable to the CAA. 1.3 The British Parachute Association (BPA) Operations Manual, as amended, represents the accepted standard for sport parachuting in the United Kingdom (UK) and BPA clubs, centres and display teams may achieve an acceptable operating standard by adherence to the provisions of that manual. 1.4 The CAA recognises that in some areas the BPA, the operator and/or local circumstances will require more comprehensive or stringent standards to be adopted. NOTE 1: References in this publication to the ANO and Regulations are to the 2005 Order and Regulations. NOTE 2: In this publication the word operator is used to denote the Permission holder, who is the person having overall control of the parachuting operation. The Permission holder may be a registered corporate body or a named individual or individuals with or without a trading name. The Permission holder will usually be the person who at the relevant time has the management of the aircraft and will therefore be the operator as defined in Article 155 of the ANO, but who must in any event ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place to ensure that any aircraft utilised in support of their parachuting activities are operated legally and with due regard to safety. NOTE 3: For the purpose of this publication the use of the pronoun he shall imply she if appropriate. 2 Applicability 2.1 CAP 660 is applicable to all operations conducted pursuant to parachuting Permissions and any related Exemptions granted under Articles 66, 67 and 153, of the ANO. This includes: clubs, centres, schools and teams; special parachuting events; companies engaged in the development and manufacture of parachute equipment; military personnel using civil registered aircraft. 2.2 CAP 660 does not apply to the descent of persons by parachute from an aircraft in an emergency. 2.3 In this publication the word 'shall' is sometimes used to reflect relevant aviation related legislation and regulations and indicates that non-compliance could involve penalties. The word 'must' is similarly imperative, indicating that the CAA expects the operator to respond and adhere closely to the defined requirement. 'Should' is used Chapter 1 Page 1
to indicate that the context is advisory and the degree of compliance may be adjusted, for example to take into account the nature of the operation or local circumstances. The use of 'should' must not, however, be taken to mean that nothing need be done. If the operator s response is deemed by the CAA to be inadequate, a specific requirement may be applied as a condition of the parachuting Permission. 3 Status of CAP 660 3.1 Permissions and any related Exemptions granted by the CAA may be granted subject to the condition that all operations are conducted in accordance with applicable requirements stated in CAP 660 (and subject also to such other conditions as the CAA thinks fit). 3.2 Operations conducted in disregard of the provisions of CAP 660 would in such cases be in breach of the law. 3.3 CAP 660 is intended to be a useful working document and therefore includes relevant summaries of some regulations and requirements that are enforceable in law. When parachute dropping is conducted from UK registered aircraft operating outside the UK, operators must observe all legal requirements applicable to the operation of the aircraft and should continue to adhere to the provisions of CAP 660 unless the laws and regulations of the country of operation demand otherwise. Chapter 1 Page 2
Chapter 2 Legal Requirements 1 Air Navigation Order 1.1 All parachute dropping from civil registered aircraft over the United Kingdom is regulated by the CAA and must be conducted in accordance with the requirements of Articles 66 and 67 of the ANO. Article 163 of the ANO states that when valuable consideration has been given or promised for the carriage of passengers and the flight is for the purpose of dropping persons by parachute, then it is deemed to be aerial work; and that positioning and return flights made in connection with such flights are subject to the same requirements. 1.2 Every person who is involved in a parachuting operation has, under Articles 67, 73 and 74 of the ANO, a statutory duty to ensure that they do not endanger other persons, property or aircraft. 1.3 Both the CAA and the operator have responsibility for achievement of acceptable standards of safety. The CAA fulfils its duty to regulate parachuting by: satisfying itself as to the suitability of applicants prior to grant or renewal of parachuting Permissions; stipulating certain requirements for the conduct of parachuting activity these requirements are set out in this publication; the addition to parachuting Permissions and/or Exemptions of such conditions as it may from time to time think fit; monitoring of parachuting operations as described in Chapter 5 of this publication. 1.4 In order to conduct parachute dropping operations, each operator must first obtain Permission from the CAA as required by Article 67 of the ANO. Application should be made on form SRG 1313 (Appendix B), available at www.caa.co.uk/srg1313. 1.5 Nothing in CAP 660 is intended to conflict with the ANO or other legislation, which in case of doubt must be regarded as overriding. 2 Charges 2.1 A charge is payable on initial application for, and on each renewal of, a parachuting Permission and any related Exemptions. However, no charge is payable in respect of such an application if it is supported by a recommendation by an approved person, unless it is an application relating to unusual parachuting activity. The BPA is currently the only body approved for this purpose within the UK. No action will be taken on applications until any appropriate charge has been paid. 2.2 Details of current charges may be found in the CAA Official Record, Series 5, available at www.caa.co.uk/ors5. Chapter 2 Page 1
3 Permissions and/or Exemptions 3.1 The CAA may grant a Permission required under Article 67 of the ANO once it is satisfied that the applicant is a fit and competent person, having regard in particular to his previous conduct and experience, his equipment, organisation, staffing and other arrangements, to safely organise the proposed parachuting operation. The Permission may be granted subject to such conditions as the CAA thinks fit and shall, subject to the provisions of Article 92 of the ANO, remain in force for the period specified in the Permission. 3.2 The granting of such Permission signifies only that the Permission holder is considered to have met the minimum standards necessary prior to undertaking the proposed parachuting operation. 3.3 The CAA may also, under Article 153, grant Exemptions from other provisions of the ANO. For example, parachute manufacturers may be granted Exemption from Article 66 to enable them to drop dummies and stores. 3.4 Exemptions, Permissions and Approvals relating to the ANO are usually valid for a finite period and have a notified expiry date. The holder is responsible for ensuring that appropriate Exemptions, Permissions and Approvals remain valid and should apply for renewal well before time expiry. 3.5 Operations conducted in disregard of the conditions stated on a Permission or Exemption, or under the terms of a Permission or Exemption that has lapsed, would be in breach of the law. 3.6 The CAA parachuting Permission will normally be granted for a period of 1 year and may be renewed subject to satisfactory assessment of achieved operating and safety standards. If a holder elects to cease or applies to vary parachuting operations for which a Permission has previously been granted, or if the document is revoked, it should be returned at once to the office of issue. Where the CAA refuses the grant or renewal of a Permission or proposes to vary, suspend or revoke an existing one, the applicant or holder will be informed of the reasons for the CAA 's decision or proposal and of the process for seeking a review of that decision. 3.7 Prior to submitting an application for the grant of a parachuting Permission, applicants are advised to consider the following factors which may influence the proposed operation: Planning consent if necessary. Potential problems and difficulties with the use of the airspace within or close to the proposed parachute Dropping Zone (DZ). Integration and de-confliction arrangements with other aviation activities at or near the proposed DZ. The certification, suitability and CAA clearance of any aircraft intended for use in the parachute dropping role. 3.8 Applicants for initial grant of a Permission (club, centre, school or other organisation) will need to provide the following before the Permission may be issued: a) The signed permission of the landowner(s) of the parachute landing area (PLA). b) If the proposed parachuting operation is to be based at an aerodrome, a copy of the relevant sections of the operational instructions applicable to that aerodrome (at a licensed aerodrome, the Aerodrome Manual) showing the procedures to ensure de-confliction of aircraft and parachutists in the air and on the ground; and Chapter 2 Page 2
procedures for aircraft landing, taking off or manoeuvring within or close to the designated DZ or the PLA. c) A copy of the operator s local Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). (In the case of an operation based at an aerodrome it is essential that these instructions are compatible with the instructions mentioned in paragraph 3.8 (b) above; and at a licensed aerodrome, these procedures and the instructions in the Aerodrome Manual and the Manual of Air Traffic Services (MATS) Part 2 must be in accord.) d) A copy of any agreements which have been made with other users of the site or in connection with the use of airspace (e.g. Air Traffic Services Unit (ATSU)). e) Any other information requested in order to satisfy the requirements described in paragraph 3.1 above. f) Completed application form SRG 1313 (Appendix B). NOTE: Notwithstanding any review of the above items by the CAA, operators remain responsible for ensuring the ongoing validity of their landowner permission, other agreements, and instructions to their operating staff, including pilots, and to parachutists. 3.9 Applicants for a Display Team Permission should also use form SRG 1313. 3.10 Permissions are not transferable, therefore change of ownership of a club or team will mean that a new application must be submitted. 4 Operations Manual 4.1 Every applicant for and every holder of a Permission shall make available to the CAA, if requested to do so, a parachuting manual and shall make such amendments or additions to such manual as the CAA may require. 4.2 The holder of a Permission shall make available to every employee or person who is or may engage in parachuting activities conducted by him the manual which shall contain all such information and instructions as may be necessary to enable such employees or persons to perform their duties. 4.3 A guide to the compilation of a Operations Manual, including local SOPs, is given in Appendix A. Chapter 2 Page 3
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Chapter 3 Operations NOTE: The requirements and procedures relating to aircraft certification and maintenance, pilot qualifications, aircraft documentation, and aviation operating standards are prescribed in the Air Navigation Order, British Civil Airworthiness Requirements (BCARs) and other regulations enabled under the Civil Aviation Act 1982, Joint Aviation Requirements (JARs) or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) EU OPs as appropriate. For the convenience of operators, some of these requirements are summarised in this chapter. Additional requirements, which may in some cases be more stringent, are made in relation to parachuting operations. 1 Operator s Responsibility 1.1 Operators are reminded of their direct responsibility for the overall control of all aspects of their parachuting activities and their related aircraft operation. 1.2 A sound and effective management structure, appropriate to the scale of operation, is essential. The duties and responsibilities of all those involved in the management of the operation must be clearly defined in writing and the chain of responsibility firmly established. Key personnel must be nominated (see form SRG 1313 Appendix B) and their duties and responsibilities stated. The CAA must be informed of the names of the holders of all these posts and notified in writing, not less than 7 days in advance of any intended change in the person holding the post or in his duties; or of the intended abolition of the post. 1.3 The CAA must be informed of the name and qualifications of the Club Chief Instructor (CCI) or Team Leader and any change must be notified, in accordance with paragraph 1.2 above. 1.4 The operator must ensure that aircraft used in support of their parachuting activities are maintained in an airworthy condition and this responsibility cannot be assumed to fall to the maintenance organisation. In the event that aircraft are intended to be hired or chartered, the Permission holder still has a responsibility to ensure that such aircraft have been properly maintained and are operated legally. In all cases a person should be nominated to discharge this responsibility. 1.5 To a large extent the statutory requirements relating to parachuting and the operation of aircraft are written in general terms. This facilitates the development of operating standards and techniques best suited to particular circumstances and local conditions. 1.6 Adequate procedures for operational control must be specified. Each club, school, centre or organisation is required to operate in accordance with a Operations Manual which shall be made available to the CAA when requested and which shall contain all such information, procedures and instructions as may be necessary to enable all those involved in the operation to perform their duties. A guide to the compilation of an Operations Manual, including local SOPs, is given at Appendix A. Guidance on Risk Assessments (RA) and Safety Management Systems (SMS) is given in Chapter 6. 1.7 It is most important for operators to appreciate that it is their responsibility to provide adequate instructions and accurate information to their operating staff, including pilots, and to parachutists. The primary purpose of requesting an Operations Manual to be made available to the CAA, would be to provide an opportunity to verify the adequacy of the operator's procedures for: a) keeping instructions and information under review; and b) making amendments as necessary. Chapter 3 Page 1
A CAA Flight Standards Officer (FSO) may suggest amendments where they appear to be necessary but the CAA is not responsible for the detailed information provided in manuals. It is the operator's responsibility to ensure that the manual is correct. A suitably qualified person should be designated to ensure that operations manuals (including local SOPs) are properly maintained and up to date. 1.8 The requirement for aircraft insurance cover is contained within Articles 6 & 7 of Regulation (EC) No. 785/2004 at: http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2004/i_138/i_13820040430en00010006.pdf. 1.9 The operator is responsible for complying with the requirements of applicable health and safety and other legislation. The CAA makes no safety inspections of fan trainers, suspended harnesses or other apparatus or facilities used in connection with parachute training or parachuting activities. 2 Airspace Notification 2.1 DZs intended for regular parachuting use must be notified to the CAA. The list of notified DZs is in the En-Route (ENR) section of the UK Aeronautical Information Package (AIP). The purpose of this measure is to enhance the safety of all users of airspace and such listing does not imply permission for the use of a particular site. 2.2 Application for a DZ to be notified should be made, giving as much notice as possible to: Flight Operations Inspectorate (General Aviation) Civil Aviation Authority 1W Aviation House Gatwick Airport South West Sussex RH6 0YR Tel: 01293 573528 Fax: 01293 573973 Information as described in Chapter 2, paragraph 3.8 may be required before action is taken to promulgate the DZ. 2.3 Operators are required to notify the start and finish of operations to appropriate Air Traffic Service Units (ATSUs) as listed in the UK AIP ENR section 5.5. Attention is drawn to the need to notify Area Control Centres (ACC) outside the operating hours of some ATSUs. The operator should maintain a record of the times when the DZ has been notified as active and inactive on BPA Form 193 available at www.bpa.org.uk/ forms.htm 2.4 Any changes to the normal activity times, or changes of operator/user telephone number must be notified to the CAA at the address in paragraph 2.2 above. It is also important that the CAA is informed when a site ceases to be in regular use, so that it may be deleted from the list of notified DZs. 2.5 Unusual parachuting activity, displays and night jumps must be notified to the CAA in accordance with the procedure described in Appendix C. (See also paragraphs 21.1 to 21.9.) 2.6 It is the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to take appropriate Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) action when military parachuting is to be conducted using civil registered aircraft. Chapter 3 Page 2
3 Pilots NOTE: Where reference is made in the following text to the BPA, the operator may report direct to the CAA if appropriate. BPA form numbers are quoted in brackets and are available from www.bpa.org.uk/forms.htm. 3.1 Chief Pilot The operator must appoint a Chief Pilot who will be responsible to him for flying operations. 3.2 Pilot Qualifications aircraft other than balloons. A pilot shall not act as Pilot in Command (PIC) of an aircraft on a flight during which parachutists are to be dropped unless he meets the following minimum requirements: a) Licence. He holds a valid pilot's licence for the class or type of aircraft to be flown including any ratings necessary for the flight to be undertaken, e.g. Instrument Rating (IR), Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) Rating, Night Rating, Radio Telephony (RT) licence. (ANO Schedule 8 describes the various flight crew licence privileges and ratings.) A military pilot may fly UK registered civil aircraft without being the holder of an appropriate licence, if he is acting in the course of his duty as a member of Her Majesty's naval, army or air forces. b) Experience. He has at least 100 hours as PIC of aeroplanes if aeroplanes are to be flown, or 100 hours as PIC of helicopters if helicopters are to be flown; except in the case of parachutists holding FAI 'C' Certificate or equivalent, where the requirement is 75 hours PIC in each case. The following is also required: Less than 150 hours PIC 10 hours on type (*) 150 250 hours PIC 5 hours on type (*) Over 250 hours PIC flight test or check on type (*) (in accordance with paragraph 3.2 d) below). c) Training. He has received differences training appropriate to the type (*) or variant, as required under JAR FCL 1.235 or 2.235, as appropriate. In addition: ground instruction on parachute dropping techniques and procedures, sufficient to enable him to perform his duties, given by a Instructor, Team Leader or BPA Pilot Examiner. This must include the procedures to be followed in the event of emergencies. d) Tests. He has: i) Flown a satisfactory flight test or check on the type (*) of aircraft to be flown, conducted by an authorised Type Rating Examiner (TRE) or Class Rating Examiner (CRE) in accordance the appropriate Licencing Skill Test//Licencing Proficiency Check (LST/LPC) (forms available at: www.caa.co.uk/srg1157); or by a BPA Pilot Examiner in accordance with BPA requirements. Chapter 3 Page 3
ii) Flown as PIC of an aircraft from which a live drop of one or more Experienced Parachutists has been made under the supervision of a Instructor or Team Leader. iii) The provisions of i) and ii) above shall not apply to the pilot of a foreign registered aircraft who is qualified and experienced in the country of registration to drop parachutists; nor to any pilot if the CAA has agreed in writing that such provisions are not required, subject to such conditions as the CAA may specify. e) Recency The pilot shall not act as PIC of an aircraft carrying passengers, including parachutists, unless within the preceding 90 days he has made three take-offs and three landings as the sole manipulator of the controls in an aircraft of the same type or class. f) Documentation. Having satisfied a) to e) above, the BPA should be informed in order that details of the pilot may be recorded. NOTE: (*) in the text above means a type where a type rating is appropriate, or else a specific type within a class. 3.3 Balloon Pilots. A balloon pilot shall not act as PIC of a balloon for a flight during which parachutists are to be dropped unless he meets the following minimum requirements: a) Licence. He holds valid a pilot s licence for the balloon to be flown on the intended flight. b) Experience. He has at least 60 hours PIC of balloons. c) Training. He has received ground instruction on parachute dropping techniques and procedures, sufficient to enable him to perform his duties, given by a Instructor or Team Leader who has made a minimum of one parachute jump from a balloon or by a balloon pilot who has already dropped two or more parachutists. This must include the procedures to be followed in the event of emergencies. He should also have read the 'Guidelines for Skydiving from Hot Air Balloons' (BPA Form F109b) available at: www.bpa.org.uk/forms.htm d) Recency. For any parachute dropping flight, log book evidence is required of flight within the 90 days preceding the date of the intended flight as PIC of the Class of balloon to be used. For the privileges of a professional pilot s licence to be exercised on a parachute dropping flight, a Certificate of Test is also required which is valid for 13 months. e) Documentation. Having satisfied a) to d) above, the BPA should be informed in order that details of the pilot may be recorded. 4 Aircraft 4.1 a) Other than in accordance with the additional requirements listed in paragraph 4.1b) below, the Maximum Total Weight Authorised (MTWA) of aircraft used for parachute dropping shall not exceed 5,700 kg. b) Aircraft with MTWA in excess of 5,700 kg may be used subject to the following conditions: i) The aircraft is registered in the UK. Chapter 3 Page 4
ii) The aircraft is flown only by pilots holding valid professional pilot licences which include a valid type rating for that aircraft. iii) The aircraft is operated for parachuting from a licensed or Government aerodrome. 4.2 Aircraft Clearance and Documentation An aircraft shall not be used for the purpose of dropping persons unless the Certificate of Airworthiness (C of A) issued or rendered valid in respect of that aircraft under the law of the country in which the aircraft is registered includes an express provision that it may be used for that purpose and the aircraft is operated in accordance with a written Permission granted by the CAA. a) UK Registered Aircraft. Aircraft must have a valid C of A, be maintained to a standard appropriate to aerial work operations and must be approved by the CAA for the purpose of parachute dropping. Any aircraft modifications required for parachute dropping, for example the installation of parachutist restraints (if necessary) or static line modifications must be CAA approved. Any structural or performance limitations applicable to parachuting operations, must be stated in the aircraft Flight Manual, or in a CAA approved supplement, which must be included in the Flight Manual for the individual aircraft. The aircraft must be operated in accordance with the individual aircraft Flight Manual and applicable Flight Manual Supplements. b) Foreign Registered Aircraft. An operating permit, required under Article 140 of the ANO, must be obtained from the (UK) Department for Transport (DfT) before a foreign registered aircraft is used for any aerial work. The aircraft must have a valid C of A from the country of registration in the category appropriate to the type of operation and must be operated in accordance with the aircraft Flight Manual with respect to flight with the door removed or for parachuting operations. The DfT consults with the CAA prior to granting any such permit. Application for use of foreign registered aircraft should be made to: International Aviation Negotiations 2 Department for Transport Zone 1/25 Great Minster House 76 Marsham Street London SW1P 4DR Tel: 0207 944 5847 Fax: 0207 944 2194 c) Documents. The following documents must be available to the Pilot and CCI or Team Leader before a flight is made for the purpose of parachute dropping: i) The approved Flight Manual/owner s manual/pilot s operating handbook, as applicable to the aircraft. ii) The C of A. iii) A weight and Centre of Gravity (C of G) schedule. iv) Documents recording the maintenance and serviceability of the aircraft (see paragraphs 6.1 to 6.3 below). v) CAP 660 vi) The appropriate Operations Manual (including Minimum Equipment Lists (MELs), if required, and local SOPs). Chapter 3 Page 5
vii)any Permissions or Exemptions issued by the CAA relevant to the intended flight. 4.3 Aircraft First Aid Packs First aid packs appropriate to the number of people on board shall be carried. 4.4 Fire Extinguishers Fire extinguishers shall be carried as specified in any appropriate MELs and always to a scale not less than one fire extinguisher for each enclosed passenger and crew compartment, so installed that at least one extinguisher shall be conveniently located for use by a member of the flight crew. 4.5 Aircraft Checklist An aircraft checklist/flight reference card (FRC) must be carried on all flights. 5 Aircraft Maintenance Aircraft operated in the parachuting role shall be maintained in accordance with the requirements of the National Aviation Authority (NAA) appropriate to the country of registration. For aircraft registered in the United Kingdom these are as follows: a) Aircraft with a MTWA not exceeding 2730 kg - to the Light Aircraft Maintenance Schedule (LAMS) or an alternative CAA approved maintenance schedule. b) Aircraft with a MTWA exceeding 2730 kg - to a CAA approved maintenance schedule. c) All maintenance work and modifications must be certified by an appropriately type rated licensed aircraft maintenance engineer, or an authorised person employed by an approved aircraft maintenance organisation. 6 Flying Operations 6.1 Authorisation of Flights All flights made for the purpose of parachute dropping must be authorised in writing. The operator must maintain a list of those persons entitled to authorise flights for this purpose. A person thus entitled must be satisfied before authorising such flights that: a) The aircraft to be used has a valid Certificate of Maintenance Review (CMR) and/ or Certificate of Release to Service (CRS), or there is evidence in the aircraft log book or Technical Log that the requirements of the maintenance schedule have been met. b) The serviceability state of the aircraft has been properly recorded in accordance with paragraph 6.3 below and that the aircraft is serviceable for the intended flight. c) The pilot of the aircraft is appropriately qualified for the intended flight. NOTE: A CMR and a Technical Log are required, in accordance with ANO Articles 14 and 15, for public transport aircraft and aerial work aircraft. 6.2 Recording of Pre and Post Flight Details, Pilot's Fuel Log / Flight Log 6.2.1 The pilot must have available to him in the aircraft, a record of fuel and oil uplifts made, and the quantity of fuel on board prior to each flight or series of flights, to enable remaining endurance and fuel reserves to be readily calculated. Chapter 3 Page 6
6.2.2 The following pre and post flight details for each flight or series of flights must be recorded. A series of flights means any number of consecutive flights made for the same purpose, taking off and landing at the same airfield with the same PIC. The record must include at least: a) Pre Flight The date, the aircraft registration, the destination or DZ, departure fuel and the signature or initials of the PIC certifying that he has accepted the conditions under which the flight shall be made. b) Post Flight The take off and landing times of each flight, the number of landings and the signature or initials of the PIC certifying the serviceability of the aircraft. 6.3 Recording of Aircraft Serviceability If the keeping of a Technical Log is not a requirement the flight authorisation sheet may be used for recording aircraft serviceability, provided that details of not more than one aircraft are kept on one sheet. The record is to include a statement of the serviceability of the aircraft, the action taken to clear any defects (supported by the signature of an appropriately licensed or approved aircraft maintenance engineer) and in the case of an acceptable defect a statement by the pilot of the operational limitations applicable to further flights. 6.4 Aircraft Performance Take off, climb and landing data in the approved Flight Manual/owner s manual/pilot s operating handbook must be observed and any guidance contained in relevant Aeronautical Information Circulars (AICs) should be followed. 6.5 Aircraft Limitations Weight and balance limitations are to be observed throughout all phases of flight. Pilots are required to advise CCIs/Team Leaders of any performance or structural limitations of the aircraft they are commanding, that may affect safety during flight and in particular during exit. CCIs/Team Leaders must ensure that parachutists are aware of such limitations. 6.6 Maximum Altitude and Flight Crew Oxygen Requirements The CAA, in exercise of its powers under Article 153 of the Air Navigation Order 2005 (the Order) exempts the commander of any aircraft operated by a current BPA Club or Team from the requirements in article 54A(2)(a) and (b) of the Order; and from the requirement at Article 19 and paragraph 5(2)(a)(iv) of Schedule 4 of the Order that an aircraft flying at a height of 13,000 ft or more above mean sea level be equipped in accordance with Scale L1 or L2. The exemptions are granted subject to the following conditions: a) an aircraft must only rely on these exemptions on a flight for the purpose of dropping parachutists; b) an aircraft flying pursuant to these exemptions must not fly above Flight Level 150; c) any flight pursuant to these exemptions must be conducted in accordance with the applicable requirements of CAP 660; d) all flights pursuant to these exemptions must be conducted in accordance with the relevant provisions of the British Parachute Association Operations Manual for the time being in force and which has been submitted to the CAA; e) the flight crew and passengers of any aircraft flying in accordance with these exemptions are made aware of their terms and conditions; July 2008 Chapter 3 Page 7
f) on any flight pursuant to these exemptions parachutists must not be above Flight Level 100 for more than 30 minutes before leaving the aircraft; g) on any flight pursuant to these exemptions parachutists must not be above Flight Level 120 for more than six minutes before leaving the aircraft. NOTES: 1 Flight Crew Requirements: There is no exemption from Article 54A(2)(c) or (d) which means that: a) during any period when the aircraft is flying above Flight Level 100 up to and including Flight Level 130 oxygen must be used by all flight crew for that part of the flight at those altitudes that is more than 30 minutes duration; b) during any period when the aircraft is flying above Flight Level 130 all flight crew of the aircraft must use oxygen. 2 Guidance for commander: a) The aircraft commander will need to monitor the Flight Levels and time limits specified in the exemption as it is his legal obligation to ensure the conditions are complied with; b) If the Flight Level or time limits are exceeded the commander should abort the drop and all parachutists should land with the aircraft. 6.7 Carriage of Passengers No passengers shall be carried on a flight made for the purpose of parachute dropping except parachutists who are equipped for and intending to make a descent by parachute during the flight or those carried solely for the purpose of acting as jumpmaster or parachute instructor during the flight; except the following: a) When pilots are under training or checking, a suitably qualified person may be carried as a passenger for the purposes of that duty. b) At the discretion of the operator a passenger may occupy a co-pilot s seat in multiengine aircraft provided that: i) this is in compliance with the requirements and limitations stated in the aircraft Flight Manual and applicable Flight Manual Supplements, taking into account the purpose of the flight as deemed by the ANO; ii) the seat is fitted with an approved safety belt or harness; iii) the seat is not adjacent to a door that will be removed or opened in flight; iv) no valuable consideration is given or promised for the carriage of the passenger; v) the passenger is formally informed that the flight is not being conducted in accordance with the requirements of a flight for the purpose of Public Transport. c) At the discretion of the operator, passengers other than parachutists may be carried in balloons provided that: i) this is in compliance with the requirements and limitations stated in the aircraft Flight Manual and applicable Flight Manual Supplements, taking into account the purpose of the flight as deemed by the ANO; ii) no valuable consideration is given or promised for the carriage of those passengers; July 2008 Chapter 3 Page 8
iii) the passengers are formally informed that the flight is not being conducted in accordance with the requirements of a flight for the purpose of Public Transport. NOTE: Application for variation of a parachuting Permission and/or Exemption (e.g. to enable carriage of camera crew) should be made to the CAA Flight Operations Inspectorate (General Aviation) section, giving as much notice as possible and preferably not less than 10 working days before the operator wishes the variation to become effective. 6.8 Aerial Work Aircraft - Legislation The following ANO references apply to aerial work aircraft: Article 11 Prohibitions on the use of Permit aircraft. Article 14 Requirement for a CMR. Article 15 Requirements for a Technical Log. Article 26 Prohibition of student pilots. Article 81(3)(a)(i) Definition of Flight Time. Article 84 Flight Time Limitations (FTL). Article 88(2)(d) Requirement for carriage of documents. Article 140 Requirement for DfT Permit for foreign registered aircraft. Schedule 4 Requirement for carriage of equipment. Schedule 8 Licence privileges. 6.9 Pilot Fatigue The FTL prescribed in Article 84 of the ANO are applicable: 100 hours in any 28 day period and 900 hours in any one year. In addition, a pilot who is engaged on parachuting operations should not fly more than four hours without a thirty minute break away from the aircraft and should not fly more than eight hours in any one day. Air Operators Certificate (AOC) holders should normally continue to apply the flight duty and rest period limitations associated with their AOC operation. 6.10 Aeronautical Information Up to date aeronautical information is published in the UK AIP, NOTAMs and AICs. These documents must be readily accessible to the pilot. 6.11 Air Traffic Control Clearance Where it is intended to make flights for the purpose of dropping parachutists in notified areas of Controlled Airspace (CA), the notification procedures published in the UK AIP for Non-Standard Flights (NSF) must be complied with. (Procedures described in Appendix C will fulfil this requirement.) For parachuting operations in aerodrome traffic zones (ATZ), the prior permission of the person having management of the aerodrome or of the appropriate Air Traffic Control (ATC) unit must be obtained. 6.12 Transponder In the UK, unless a discrete code has already been assigned, pilots of transponder equipped aircraft should squawk 0033 with Mode C (altitude reporting) from five minutes before the drop commences until the parachutists are estimated to be on the ground. A serviceable transponder with Mode A and Mode C (altitude reporting) is required for flight above Flight Level (FL)100 and normally for NSF in notified areas of CA. July 2008 Chapter 3 Page 9
6.13 Crash Rescue Procedures and Equipment Operators must specify crash rescue procedures appropriate to their operation. A notice should be displayed at the DZ control position (and/or other suitable location) giving instructions for summoning the local Police, Fire, Ambulance, and (where applicable), Coastguard services in the event of emergencies. Fire-fighting release and rescue equipment should be available whilst parachuting is taking place to a scale appropriate to the aircraft types to be used, and should never be less than a vehicle carrying: a) one foam fire extinguisher of appropriate size; b) one axe; c) one bolt cropper - 61cm; d) one crowbar - 1m; e) one fire resisting blanket; f) two pairs fire resistant gloves; g) one medical first aid pack; h) one stretcher with blankets. NOTE 1: Holding of this equipment at a forward site at which a Display Team may emplane is not mandatory. It should nevertheless be provided at such sites whenever it is practicable to do so. NOTE 2: For aircraft operations at a location other than a licensed or Government Aerodrome further guidance is to be found in CAP 428 'Safety Standards at Unlicensed Aerodromes (including Helicopter Landing Sites)' available at www.caa.co.uk/ CAP428. 6.14 Parachute Dropping Flights In Controlled Airspace a) In order to fly in controlled airspace the following must be met: i) the requirements of Articles 59 and 60 of the ANO for the carriage and operation of area navigation equipment; ii) the requirements of Article 20(2) and of paragraph 2(1)(a) of Schedule 5 of the Order for the aircraft to be equipped with route navigation equipment specified at Scale F in paragraph 4 of Schedule 5; iii) any requirement in the privileges of the pilot s licence held by the commander set out in Section 1 and 2 of Part A of Schedule 8 of the Order for an instrument rating to be included in the pilot's licence for flight in Class A airspace in circumstances which require compliance with the Instrument Flight Rules (IFR); b) Upon application the CAA, in exercise of its powers under Article 153 of the ANO, may exempt any aeroplane operated by or on behalf of a parachute club, school or centre together with the operator and the commander thereof, from the above requirements. Flights pursuant to this exemption shall be conducted only: i) for the purpose of aerial work consisting of the dropping of persons by parachute under and in accordance with the terms of a written permission granted by the CAA pursuant to Article 67 of the ANO; ii) using aircraft with navigation equipment sufficient to enable the flights to be conducted safely and in conformity with the requirements of ATC; July 2008 Chapter 3 Page 10
iii) in accordance with the terms of any procedures set in place between the Club and the appropriate ATC unit regarding parachute dropping activity in the relevant airspace or DZ; iv) on any flight pursuant to this Exemption when flying under the privileges of a United Kingdom Private Pilot's Licence (Aeroplanes), Basic Commercial Pilot's Licence (Aeroplanes) or JAR-FCL Private Pilot Licence (Aeroplane) the pilot in command shall have included in that licence a valid Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) rating; Exemptions have effect from the date of issue until and including 31 March of each year unless revoked, suspended or varied; Exemptions apply only to parachute dropping flights. They do not apply to flights made to position the aircraft for such a flight or returning after such a flight; Flight in Class A airspace is subject to the requirements of Rule 18 of the Rules of the Air Regulations 2007. 7 Records to be Kept 7.1 Part 7 of the ANO prescribes the regulations for the maintenance and production of aircraft documents and records. 7.2 In addition, proper records must be maintained of parachute training, equipment, modifications, inspection, servicing, repairs and maintenance (including Automatic Activation Devices (AADs)). Packing of main and reserve parachutes must be recorded, with the exception that Intermediate Parachutists and Experienced Parachutists are not required to record the packing, for their own use, of personally owned main parachutes. 7.3 Records must be kept of all incidents, parachute deployment problems, malfunctions and accidents. 7.4 DZ activity notifications should be recorded as described in Chapter 3, paragraph 2.3. 7.5 In order to facilitate monitoring, as outlined in Chapter 5, all records must be preserved for at least 2 years from the date of the last entry, or longer if required by Article 91 of the ANO. 8 Minimum Age for Persons under the age of 16 years should not be permitted to make a parachute descent for sport, training or display purposes. Persons of 16 years or more but less than 18 years of age, should be permitted to make a descent only with the written permission of their parent or guardian. In addition, operators should ensure that only those persons capable of giving appropriate consent are allowed to participate in Tandem. 9 Medical 9.1 All parachutists must be in possession of a completed medical declaration or doctor s certificate, certifying their fitness to undertake the planned descents. 9.2 For Tandem Instructors a doctor s certificate is required, to be issued only by a medical practitioner who also holds appropriate qualifications in aviation medicine; with the exception that it may be issued by a medical practitioner who is also a Instructor. July 2008 Chapter 3 Page 11
10 Qualifications 10.1 When the training of parachutists (including Tandem Parachutists) is to be undertaken, all personnel involved must be appropriately qualified to perform their duties. 10.2 The CAA accepts Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) Parachutist Certificates for the purposes described in this publication. 10.3 The CAA recognises BPA qualifications. Equivalent qualifications issued or accepted by the representative or governing bodies of parachuting in other countries may also be recognised. A lapsed qualification may only be recognised if it can be shown that the necessary experience requirements for revalidation of that qualification have been met. The CAA reserves the right to judge whether other qualifications are considered to be equivalent to BPA qualifications. 10.4 The minimum qualification and experience requirements acceptable to the CAA, for any type of Parachute Instructor qualification, are not less than those stated in the BPA Operations Manual, as amended. This need not apply to a member of Her Majesty s naval, army or air forces acting in the course of his duty and in accordance with MoD procedures. 10.5 Tandem Instructors For tandem descents, other than evaluation/renewal descents, a Tandem Instructor must hold a valid rating for the type of tandem parachute equipment to be used and must have made at least one tandem descent in the 90 days immediately preceding the date of the intended descent. (Only parachutists holding FAI C Certificate, or equivalent, may be carried on evaluation/renewal descents.) In addition either: a) a satisfactory evaluation on the type of tandem equipment, in accordance with the requirements of paragraphs 10.1, 10.3 and 10.4 above, within the 6 months preceding the date of the intended descent; or, b) a Certificate of Experience (C of E) certifying not less than 20 tandem descents (not including descents as passenger) within the 12 months preceding the date of the new C of E, of which not less than 10 descents must be on the type of tandem equipment to be used. The C of E should be endorsed in the parachutist s log book by a CCI or authorised representative of a parachuting association recognised by the CAA. The period of validity of a Tandem Instructor C of E is 12 months; is required. 11 Training and Supervision 11.1 Direct responsibility for training and for the safe conduct and control of parachute descents is held by the managers and instructors of any parachute club, school or centre. 11.2 Managers, instructors, Team Leaders and jumpmasters are responsible for the training and supervision of all parachutists participating in activities under their control. 11.3 All parachutists must receive training and briefings appropriate to the planned descent, taking into account their experience and the equipment to be used. This requirement is to be particularly borne in mind in relation to those who have experienced a lay-off from parachuting and can no longer be considered to be in current practice and those who have recently graduated from formal training. July 2008 Chapter 3 Page 12