Para dropping NPPL?

[Trevor KC]

Hi All

Just a question I've been asked by a friend. Can you do para dropping with a NPPL?

Thanks a lot

Trevor kc

[julian_storey]

Your main issue is that most of the aircraft used for para dropping, fall outside the definition of the SSEA class rating that you would have on an NPPL.

[S-Works]

No. Schedule 8 of the ANO articles 27,28,29,30 and 31 only allow the holder of a PPL (aeroplanes) not an NPPL to drop parachutists.

Parachute dropping is a sophisticated operation these days and most operate type rated aircraft which as Julian points out are not possible to fly on a NPPL.

You will also find that most operations want commercial pilots with Instrument ratings.

[Whopity]

Interestingly Schedule 8 permits the holder of a UK PPL to conduct aerial work including the dropping of parachutists, but there is no mention of such a privilege for the holder of a JAA PPL (Aerial Work not being defined by the JAA).

Does that mean that a JAA PPL holder cannot drop parachutists either?

[Mike Cross]

Haarrrumph!

The ANO is an order made under the Civil Aviation Act and is therefore part of UK Law.

The JAA is an organisation based in the Netherlands.

The Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) is an associated body of the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) representing the civil aviation regulatory authorities of a number of European States who have agreed to co-operate in developing and implementing common safety regulatory standards and procedures. This co-operation is intended to provide high and consistent standards of safety and a "level playing field" for competition in Europe. Much emphasis is also placed on harmonising the JAA regulations with those of the USA.

(Aerial Work not being defined by the JAA)

Please join us in our parallel Universe.
From JAR-1

Aerial Work’ means an aircraft operation in which an aircraft is used for specialised services such as
agriculture, construction, photography, surveying, observation and patrol, search and rescue, aerial
advertisement, etc.

[J.A.F.O.]

If nothing else an NPPL holder is limited to 3 passengers - admittedly it doesn't say they have to stay for the entire flight - but that might be a somewhat limiting factor.

[hightower1986]

is it possible to do the meat bombing thing in the UK on a ICAO ppl licence or would it need converting!?

[Whopity]

The ANO is an order made under the Civil Aviation Act and is therefore part of UK Law.

Therefore as it does not grant the privilege of parachute dropping to the holder of a UK issued JAA Licence, they cannot do it!

Please join us in our parallel Universe.
From JAR-1

But no mention in JAR-FCL or JAR-OPS! I see no parallel! But JAR-1 was written long after the others!

[S-Works]

is it possible to do the meat bombing thing in the UK on a ICAO ppl licence or would it need converting!?

Read the ANO section I quoted.

As a point referring to parachutists as 'meat bombs' is not an ideal way to endear yourself to parachute dropping clubs if you are looking for work. In addition to the experience mentioned above most clubs require the pilots to be parachutists so they understand the spot and the things that effect the run in.

Parachute dropping is a true commercial process and how the pilot operates effects directly the operating costs.

If you take a twin turbine aircraft that is using 100l per side per lift based on a 20 minute cycle to 15,000ft, 4 minutes extra per lift over a 5 lift cycle will cost the equivalent of giving away a lift every cycle. Over a 5 cycle day that is a whole cycle lost which would equate to around 75 lost jumps and the aircraft cost as well.

Parachute pilots need to be 100% accurate on every drop, need perfect situational awareness and exceptional aircraft handling skills. Imagine flying a multi engine aircraft that weighs several thousand pounds on the edge of the stall asymmetric with half a dozen people clinging to the outside............