Questions must also be raised over parachute aircraft operations in the UK.
Ibbotson was clearly getting material benefits from his parachute flying in acquiring flying hours
Is skydiver dropping in the UK regarded as commercial work? Here it can be legally done on a PPL, even for tandem drops, as all participants, tandem pax included, are required to be signed up financial members of the local parachute federation, pilot included, hence considered to be members of the club. Has always been the case. Still have my letter of authorisation from the sixties.
5.1.1 Aircraft Pilot Requirements for Parachuting Operations
An aircraft Pilot (other than for a balloon, recreation, sports aviation or warbird) engaged in the dropping of parachutists must hold:
(a) a valid commercial pilot licence (CPL); or
(b) a valid private pilot licence (PPL) and have 200 hours total aeronautical experience, of which at 100 hours must be as pilot in command; or
(c) an APF Certificate Class D and a valid private pilot licence and have 120 hours total aeronautical experience of which 70 hours must be as pilot in command; and must have:
(d) 10 hours experience on the particular aircraft type or an aircraft type of similar performance, weight and operational complexity.