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