skydiving pilot

[swooperdave]

is it legal to fly jumpers with a private licence? I realize if i'm compensated I need a commercial. But I do it for the enjoyment of flying. The fars seem vague to me on this and i've heard both angles.

[FlyingBuckner]

The biggest question is your insurance any good. I belong to a flying club. 18 pilots in a c172. One of our members wanted to fly jumpers at a local event, volunteer no pay no cost share. I contacted the insurance company and posed the question to them to make sure we would be covered if something happened. Your plane would need to be insured for commercial purposes, even without pay. If not they will cancel you if they ever found out you used it for that purpose.
Hold harmless signed by each jumper will not hold up in a court of law. More than likely the jumper will not being suing you, it will be their family.

[flyingtaran]

In Australia the Skydiving Operational Regulations states that it is legal to fly skydivers with a private pilot's licence, but you must have at least 200 hours flying experience with 100 hours as pilot in command. that drops down to 120 hours of flying experience and 70 as pilot in command if you hold a parachutist "D" Licence. The pilot also needs to have at least 10 hours as pilot in command on that aircraft type.

[flyingirish]

In the US it is legal for a Private pilot to drop skydivers.
However, if anyone is making money, e.g. operator, instructor, tandem instructor, etc., then a commercial license is required. The FAA is not interested in quibbling. Money changes hands, commercial required.

Blue Skies

[skydivewollong]

yes, it is illegal in any country if we dont have licence for what we are doing, I hope you collect it from your country.

[Denny of Oakland]

First I cannot give legal advice only a lawyer can do that. However I would highly recommend you read AC 105-2C available at:

AC 105-2C - Sport Parachute Jumping - Document Information

This AC provides suggestions to improve sport parachuting safety and disseminates information to assist all parties associated with sport parachuting in complying with FAR Part 105, Parachute Jumping. It also contains a list of aircraft which may be operated with one cabin door removed and includes procedures for obtaining FAA authorization for flight with door removal. I assume you will want to modify your aircraft like removing seats and taking off the door. I am an expert is aircraft modifications if you need help there.

Operational Requirements. The pilot in command is solely responsible for the operational requirementsof FAR Part 91 to include the special operating limitations and placards required for flight with the door open or removed. If you use your aircraft with the door removed you must contact the local FSDO. In addition you should look into placing your aircraft on an 100-hour insepction program.

The local FSDO will look up your ratings and when they see you don’t have a commercial it will raise all kinds of RED flags. Better to know up front than trying to prove something after the fact. As the FAA says "could of known or should of known".

I would contact your local FSDO and asked to speak with a Operations Inspector concerning your question before you operate using only a private certificate. In my opinion you are are taking a risk flying passengers without a commerical for sport jumping, but what do I know.

Just one man’s opinion.

[daisy45luther]

I think it varies from country to country.
But i guess it would be better to have a license while doing skydiving at-least for the sake of insurance.

[mugaliens]

I'd recommend you peruse your FARAIMs under "sport..."

[jahmed]

It is not legal to sky driving without the permission of Government sky driving authority. You have to communicate with sky driving training organization and get permission. If you want to kill yourself then you can enjoy with cool dead.

Thanks be safe...........................

[Instrumental]

Denny has given great information on this one.

To give a quick answer, "yes" you can do it on a private certificate BUT there have been many successful NTSB cases of revoking pilot privileges over the fine details of "shared expenses". In one case, the pilot was completely unaware that funds were being collected... and the fact hidden from him. More a victim than a culprit, he still received a suspension.

Take Care.

[Instrumental]

Did somebody actually respond to this thread calling it "skydriving"? LOL... oh well.

[jladell1]

I would ask the experts at barronaviation.com They have been extremely helpful in the past.