The following is a draft of proposed new regs, might give some idea
Revocation
1 Instrument CASA 278/97 is revoked.
Application
2 This instrument applies to aircraft engaged in parachute training operations.
Direction
3 Aircraft engaged in parachute training operations must comply with the conditions set out in section 6.
Commencement
4.1 Subject to subsections 6.2 and 6.3, this instrument comes into effect on the day after registration.
4.2 Subsection 6.1 comes into effect 90 days after the registration of this instrument.
4.3 Subsections 6.2 and 6.3 come into effect on 1 March 2010.
Definitions
5 In this instrument:
APF means the Australian Parachuting Federation Inc.
APF Jump Pilot’s Handbook means a handbook issued by the APF, as approved by CASA from time to time, setting out rules and procedures for carrying out parachuting operations.
APF Jump Pilot’s rating means a certificate issued by the APF to certify that a pilot is trained and competent to carry out parachuting operations.
ATC means air traffic control.
ATC frequency means a radio frequency used by air traffic control.
controlled airspace(CTA) means airspace that is Class A, C, D, or E airspace or a GAAP Control Zone.
Chief Instructor means an instructor “A” approved by the APF in accordance with the APF Operations Regulations to supervise parachute training operations for a training organisation .
CTAF means a common traffic advisory frequency.
CTAF(R) area means an area within which radio carriage and use are required and in which aircraft use a CTAF.
drop aircraft means any aircraft engaged in the dropping of parachutists in parachute training operations.
drop zone means the area within which parachutists taking part in a parachute training operation are required to land.
training organisation means an APF member organisation authorised by the APF to conduct parachute training operations, including
student and novice training descents and tandem jumps.
General Conditions
6.1 A drop aircraft when dropping parachutists must be operated in accordance with the APF Jump Pilot’s Handbook.
6.2 A pilot in command of a drop aircraft must hold an APF Jump Pilot’s Certificate.
6.3 A drop aircraft that is not a Class A aircraft must be maintained as if it were a Class B charter aircraft and must have a current maintenance release issued in that category.
6.4 Applications for exemptions to carry fire extinguishes may be made for certain type aircraft i.e. C172, C182, C206
6.5 Any alteration of the APF Jump Pilot’s Handbook must be notified to CASA for acceptance.
6.6 If CASA does not accept the alteration, it must notify the APF.
[6.5 is necessary if CASA is to consider whether to accept or not.]
Supervision of parachute training operations
7.1 Parachute training operations must be conducted under the supervision of a Chief Instructor.
Supervision by Chief Instructor
O.R. 13.1.3 All training Descents must be made under the supervision of a Chief Instructor and conducted in accordance with an Approved Training Operations Manual.
Safe conduct of parachute operations
8.1 The pilot in command of a drop aircraft must take all reasonable measures to ensure that:
(a) parachutists exit the aircraft only if there is no risk of any part of the aircraft being fouled by parachutists or their equipment when they exit; and
(b) the operation does not impose any adverse stress on any part of the aircraft structure; and
(c) loose objects that if dropped could create a hazard to persons or property on ground or water are not carried by parachutists exiting the aircraft.
8.2 Except in accordance with a specification issued by CASA, the person in charge of the parachuting operation, the parachutist and the pilot in command of the aircraft must ensure that:
(a) a parachute descent is made in meteorological conditions in which the target is clearly visible; and
(b) that the parachutist does not enter cloud.
Equipment
9.1 A drop aircraft must be equipped with:
(a) 2 VHF radio transceivers.; or
(b) if operating in Class G airspace, 1 VHF radio transceiver.
9.2 The radio transceivers or transceiver must be used to make broadcasts in accordance with this approval.
Radio procedures
10.1 Subject to subsection 10.4, a broadcast advising the intention to drop parachutists must be made from the drop aircraft not less than 2 minutes before the parachutists exit the aircraft.
10.2 A broadcast under subsection 10.1 must be made on all relevant frequencies for the airspace through which the parachutists descend and in which the drop aircraft operates.
10.3 A broadcast made under subsection 10.1 must give notice of:
(a) the location of the drop zone;
(b) the altitude at which the parachutists will exit the aircraft.
10.4 The relevant frequencies include:
(a) any ATC frequency for airspace used by the drop aircraft;
(b) any other frequency used in airspace through which the parachutists may descend after exiting the aircraft;
(c) where the landing area for the parachutists is located in the vicinity of an aerodrome where an air traffic control service is not provided—the CTAF for the surrounding airspace.
10.5 A broadcast made by ATC on an ATC frequency advising that parachutists will be dropped at a time stated in the broadcast is taken to be a broadcast on that frequency under subsection 10.1, subject to meeting the requirements of subsections 10.3 and 10.4.
Additional requirements in controlled airspace
11.1 The pilot in command must not allow parachutists to exit a drop aircraft in controlled airspace until he or she has received from ATC the clearance “[Aircraft call-sign] clear to drop”.
11.2 A drop aircraft must use its VHF radio transceivers to communicate with ATC and to monitor and advise air traffic outside the controlled airspace.
11.3 If parachutists will not be dropped within 3 nautical miles radius of the centre of the drop zone, the pilot in command must advise ATC of the direction and extent of any extension required to the drop zone.
Additional requirements at aerodromes requiring radio carriage and use
12.1 A drop aircraft must not engage in an operation involving parachute descents at, or in the vicinity of, an aerodrome in a CTAF(R) area, unless the pilot in command uses its VHF radio transceivers to monitor and advise air traffic in the vicinity of the aerodrome and the surrounding areas, using the relevant CTAF(R) and any other relevant frequencies.
12.2 In addition to the broadcast required under subsection 10.1, a broadcast advising the intention to drop parachutists at the location specified in the broadcast must be made from the drop aircraft on the relevant frequencies not less than 4 minutes before the parachutists exit the aircraft.
12.3 A broadcast under subsection 12.2 must be made on the relevant frequencies specified in subsection 10.4.
12.4 The pilot in command must ensure that parachutists do not exit a drop aircraft at, in the vicinity of, an aerodrome in a CTAF(R) area, if the descent would take place 15 minutes or less before the estimated time of arrival of an aircraft engaged in regular public transport operations (an RPT aircraft).
12.5 Subsection 12.4 does not apply if:
(a) the 2 aircraft are in direct radiocommunication with each other; and
(b) all parachutists are able to exit the aircraft and land before the RPT aircraft arrives within the circuit area of the aerodrome.
12.6 After an RPT aircraft arrives at an aerodrome in a CTAF(R) area, the pilot in command of a drop aircraft must ensure that parachutists do not exit the aircraft at, or in the vicinity of, the aerodrome until the RPT aircraft has landed and taxied clear of the runway.
12.7 After an RPT aircraft has broadcast that it is taxiing for departure from an aerodrome where radio carriage and use is required, the pilot in command of a drop aircraft must ensure that parachutists do not exit the aircraft at, in the vicinity of, the aerodrome until the RPT aircraft is clear of the circuit area of the aerodrome.
Additional requirements at certified or registered aerodromes
13.1 The pilot in command must ensure that parachutists do not exit a drop aircraft at a certified or registered aerodrome, unless:
(a) the aerodrome operator has approved parachute descents at the aerodrome; and
(b) regular and local users of the aerodrome have been given timely
notice of the intended descents;
(c) the target set out for the parachutists is separated from the movement area by a distance equal to the applicable minimum drop zone radius; and
(d) the descents do not conflict with any aircraft that are:
(i) on the live side of any circuit that is in use, or that could reasonably be expected to be used, by known traffic in prevailing conditions; or
(ii) using any runway, taxiway or apron.
13.2 Subsection 13.1 does not apply to an operation involving parachute descents at a certified or registered aerodrome if written specifications issued under regulation 152 of CAR 1988 require or allow those descents to be conducted differently.
13.3 The pilot in command must ensure that parachutists do not exit a drop aircraft at a certified or registered aerodrome if the pilot in command of another aircraft:
(a) is carrying out an instrument approach procedure at the aerodrome; or
(b) is expected to commence an instrument approach procedure within the next 5 minutes.
Additional requirements for operations more than 10 0000 feet above mean sea level (amsl)
14.1 A flight crew member who is on duty in an unpressurised drop aircraft must be provided with, and continuously use, supplemental oxygen:
(a) if the aircraft is above flight level 120; or
(b) if the aircraft operates above 10 000 feet amsl:
(i) for more than 15 minutes during an operation involving parachute descents; or
(ii) at night; or
(iii) in IMC.
I didn't see anything in there about operators needing an AOC/chief pilot and pilots to have CPL'S, aircraft being maintained to charter standard etc...
I sincerely hope these changes are made.