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whydowebother · 2nd July 2009, 22:30

Hi everyone - well here goes my first ever post, although I have followed Prune for many years without registering. Please go easy on me, I did my homework but couldn't find an answer to my specific question so would really appreciate some help...

I am considering undertaking some aerial survey work which has an 'environmental' focus; specifically the task is to count seabird populations over open water and coastal areas. This is not new stuff, but I can't ask the people who already do it as they might break my legs.

I have a current ATPL and medical etc (I fly for a UK airline), and my mate is a biologist who is qualified to do all the bird-spotting. The work would be done for a third party who would pay us for the scientific report. I assume that if I get some sort of rating I could hire an aircraft from somewhere.

Having read other threads and been very lost on the CAA website, I still don't understand how this activity would be defined: I guess it would be 'aerial work' (is my ATPL OK for this?), but opinion seems to differ as to whether such flying would require an AOC. I hope not, but wonder whether my buddy would be classified as a passenger? He would be responsible for a lot of the navigation so perhaps he is a crewmember as you could argue he would be in an operating capacity?

What about aircraft insurance and CofA - does anyone know the requirements? I have no intention of being economical with the truth regarding the real use of the aircraft.

Very grateful if anyone can help clarify a very confusing area - I'd really like to have some understanding of the rules before I go any further. Do you think I should speak to the CAA?

Thanks in advance!

2nd July 2009, 22:30	#1 (permalink)
whydowebother Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: uk Posts: 6	Aerial survey work Hi everyone - well here goes my first ever post, although I have followed Prune for many years without registering. Please go easy on me, I did my homework but couldn't find an answer to my specific question so would really appreciate some help... I am considering undertaking some aerial survey work which has an 'environmental' focus; specifically the task is to count seabird populations over open water and coastal areas. This is not new stuff, but I can't ask the people who already do it as they might break my legs. I have a current ATPL and medical etc (I fly for a UK airline), and my mate is a biologist who is qualified to do all the bird-spotting. The work would be done for a third party who would pay us for the scientific report. I assume that if I get some sort of rating I could hire an aircraft from somewhere. Having read other threads and been very lost on the CAA website, I still don't understand how this activity would be defined: I guess it would be 'aerial work' (is my ATPL OK for this?), but opinion seems to differ as to whether such flying would require an AOC. I hope not, but wonder whether my buddy would be classified as a passenger? He would be responsible for a lot of the navigation so perhaps he is a crewmember as you could argue he would be in an operating capacity? What about aircraft insurance and CofA - does anyone know the requirements? I have no intention of being economical with the truth regarding the real use of the aircraft. Very grateful if anyone can help clarify a very confusing area - I'd really like to have some understanding of the rules before I go any further. Do you think I should speak to the CAA? Thanks in advance!