How do I request a special flight number?
 

Hi,

The Lancashire based parachute centre where I skydive will be operating a fast climbing turbine aircraft (well it's fast for skydivers - 0'->15,000' in 12 minutes) later this year and wishes to apply for a special flight number with a view to requesting a higher operating altitude over our drop zone when ATC capacity and traffic levels allow.

Can anybody point me in the right direction to whom we should apply, the required notice period and the kind of details we need to provide etc.? Alternatively any web links to such info would be most appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers,

Matt – FreeFallFun!

The "appropriate addressee" for all non-standard flight requests is listed in the ENR section of the UK AIP.

www.ais.org.uk

Found it - Thanks.

Matt

A Special Flight number confers no status and is more or less a heads up to affected ATC units as well as providing contact numbers for the appropriate agencies to the operator. We normally see them issued for photo surveys and the like.

Parachute paperwork tends to be for individual displays in the form of a Display Authorisation rather than for a season of operation.

I would suggest if it is a regular operation that you get in touch with the controlling authority for the airspace and see if you can agree a permanent Letter of Agreement with them. This will provide both sides with the conditions and procedures to be followed. Quite a few para clubs have these already and maybe the BPA can suggest how you go about it and what kind of things are already in operation with other clubs.

Thanks PPRuNe Radar,

I appreciate that a special flight number doesn’t grant any particular status but as we could potentially be requesting to operate in a Class A airway over our DZ for a couple of minutes on every lift. I thought that this may be an appropriate way to give the controllers pre-warning of whom the aircraft is and what the PIC is likely to request?

As the parachute centre plans to operate the turbine aircraft every VMC day over a one month period would you consider it appropriate to request / seek a “letter of agreement” with the controlling authority? Is there such thing as a temporary letter of agreement?

I’ll also pass on your suggestion that they talk to the BPA for any advice to the DZ operator.

Appreciate your help.

Regards,

Matt

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