INSTRUMENT NUMBER:  CASA 263/02

CIVIL AVIATION REGULATIONS 1988

PARACHUTE DESCENTS

AUTHORISATION AND SPECIFICATION

AUSTRALIAN SKYDIVING ASSOCIATION

I, WILLIAM JOHN McINTYRE, Executive Manager, Aviation Safety Standards, a delegate of CASA, under regulation 152 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988:

 (a) revoke instrument CASA 206/98;  and

 (b) authorise members of the Australian Skydiving Association to make parachute descents if, and only if, the descents are conducted in accordance with the specifications set out in Schedules 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Words and expressions used in this instrument are defined in Schedule 9.

SCHEDULE 1

SPECIFICATIONS IN RELATION TO PILOT QUALIFICATIONS

1.1 An ASA member must not make a parachute descent unless the descent is conducted from an aircraft in which the pilot in command:

 (a) subject to paragraph (c), is the holder of at least a private pilot licence, valid for that type of aircraft, which is not endorsed with any condition limiting him or her to flying within a specified distance from an aerodrome;  and

 (b) if the pilot in command is the holder of a parachutist certificate “D” or higher — he or she has not less than 120 hours total aeronautical experience, of which not less than 70 hours must be as pilot in command;  and

 (c) if the pilot in command is not the holder of a parachutist certificate “D” or higher — he or she has not less than 200 hours total aeronautical experience, of which not less than 100 hours must be as pilot in command or is the holder of at least a commercial pilot licence valid for that category of aircraft;  and

 (d) has not less than 10 hours aeronautical experience as pilot in command of the aircraft type from which the descent is made.  For high-wing Cessna aeroplanes, time accrued on the more complex types may be credited for the less complex types in accordance with Schedule 6;  and

 (e) if the descent is made from a balloon — is the holder of at least a commercial pilot (balloon) licence or a Private Pilot (Balloon) Certificate issued by the Australian Ballooning Federation, and has not less than 75 hours aeronautical experience as pilot in command of balloons.

SCHEDULE 2

SPECIFICATIONS IN RELATION TO AIRCRAFT OPERATION

2.1 An ASA member must not make a parachute descent from an aircraft unless:

 (a) the descent is conducted from an aircraft:

 (i) which does not carry any persons (other than the crew members of the aircraft) who do not hold an ASA Student Parachutist Licence or an ASA Parachutist Certificate;  or

 (ii) that is a balloon;  or

 (iii) that is engaged in a commercial operation authorised by an Air Operator Certificate in respect of which there is an operational specification for carriage of passengers in parachuting operations;  and

 (b) the pilot in command of the aircraft from which the parachute descent is to be made, and the member, take all necessary steps to ensure that:

 (i) there is no risk of any part of the aircraft becoming fouled by the parachutists or their equipment;  and

 (ii) the operation will not impose any adverse stress on any part of the aircraft structure;  and

 (iii) no loose objects are carried in the aircraft which if dropped would constitute a danger to persons or property on the ground;  and

 (c) if the parachute descent involves the opening in flight, or removal prior to flight, of a door in the aircraft — the aircraft’s flight manual makes provision for operation of the aircraft with the door open or removed;  and

 (d) all persons in the aircraft (other than in the case of a balloon):

 (i) are provided with an approved seat belt, safety harness or single point restraint for their use during take-off, landing or flight below 1000 feet above ground level;  and

 (ii) have been instructed in the use of such restraints before flight;  and

 (iii) use such restraints in accordance with the instructions;  and

 (e) the descent is conducted from an aircraft in which supplemental oxygen is provided to flight crew:

 (i) where the aircraft operates above flight level 120;  or

 (ii) where the aircraft operates above 10,000 feet above mean sea level for a period greater than 15 minutes during any one sortie;  or

 (iii) where the aircraft operates above 10,000 feet above mean sea level at night;  or

 (iv) during flight above 10,000 feet above mean sea level in instrument meteorological conditions;  or

 (v) whenever required by the flight crew;  and

 (f) the descent is conducted from an aircraft in which supplemental oxygen is provided for parachutists during any period the aircraft is above flight level 140.

SCHEDULE 3

SPECIFICATION OF GENERAL CONDITIONS APPLYING TO PARACHUTING

3.1 An ASA member must not make a descent from an aircraft unless the member:

 (a) holds a valid ASA Student Parachutist Licence;  and

 (b) subject to 3.2 and 3.3 — is 16 years of age or older.

3.2 An ASA member who is under the age of 16 years but over the age of 14 years, must not make a parachute descent except as a student on a tandem descent.

3.3 An ASA member who is under the legal age of consent in the State or Territory where the descent is to be made must not make a parachute descent without the written permission of the member’s parent or legal guardian.

3.4 An ASA member must not make a parachute descent unless the member complies with all provisions of the parachute manufacturer’s instructions or directives in relation to the use of the parachute which are mandatory in nature, and also takes account of the parachute manufacturer’s recommendations.

SCHEDULE 4

SPECIFICATION OF SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

PART 1 — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

4.1 In this Schedule, unless the contrary intention appears, “approved” means approved by an ASO or a Chief Instructor.

4.1.1 An ASA member must not make a parachute descent unless:

 (a) he or she wears an approved harness with at least two parachutes, each of which is capable of sustaining a rate of descent of not more than 21 feet per second in the last 1000 feet above the DZ.  Components of this equipment must have been manufactured to the standards required by CAO 103.18;  and

 (b) when conducting the descent, he or she does not carry any object which, if dropped, would constitute a danger to property or persons on the ground during a descent unless that object is secured to their person;  and

 (c) he or she wears such clothing, footwear and helmet that has been approved or he or she has been approved to conduct the descent without such clothing, footwear or helmet;  and

 (d) the member wears a rigid helmet with a hard shell during the descent if he or she:

 (i) is required to do so by a DZSO;  or

 (ii) does not hold at least a Certificate “C”;  and

 (e) he or she wears approved flotation equipment if the target is within 300 metres of an open body of water having a horizontal dimension of more than 100 metres and a depth of more than one metre;  and

  (Note: See also 5.7 for student operations.)

 (f) when conducting the descent, he or she does not use during free fall any wings, cloth extensions or other form of control surfaces which could interfere with the operation of the parachutes;  and

 (g) he or she wears an approved altimeter or warning device set to indicate height above the DZ on all free fall descents of more than 10 seconds and the altimeter is securely mounted so that the member can observe it without difficulty throughout the descent;  and

 (h) if the member proposes to make a static line descent — a sharp knife is readily available to the jumpmaster in the aircraft;  and

 (i) if the member is a student parachutist and there is an instructor in the aircraft from which the descent is to be made to directly supervise the member — the instructor wears a parachute;  and

 (j) he or she does not occupy a control seat in the aircraft from which the descent is made or a position in the aircraft which would have been occupied by a control seat if the seat had not been removed;  and

 (k) if the member operates a camera during the descent — he or she is the holder of at least a Certificate “C” and has the approval of the DZSO;  and

 (l) if the member does not hold at least a Certificate “D” — he or she does not act as a camera operator on an accelerated freefall training descent;  and

 (m) if the member does not hold a Certificate “E” — he or she uses equipment that is fitted with a functional reserve static line or an operational automatic activation device or the DZSO, in writing, permits the person to conduct the descent without such equipment.

PART 2 — OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

4.2 An ASA member must not make a parachute descent unless the descent is conducted in accordance with the following requirements.

4.2.1 The descent must be made under the direct supervision of a DZSO.

4.2.2 Except as permitted by 4.7.13, the main parachute must be open at a minimum height of 1800 feet AGL or if the person making the descent is a student parachutist who has not completed Stage 7 of the Student Training Descent Table (Static-Line Table) set out in Schedule 7, the main parachute must be open at a minimum height of 2200 feet AGL.

 (Note: This requirement refers to the height at which the parachute canopy is open, not the activation height.)

4.2.3 Other than as an emergency procedure, a cutaway descent may be made only if the descent and the equipment to be used has been approved by a DZSO and a second reserve is worn.

4.2.4 Unless in accordance with written specifications of CASA, the descent must be made in meteorological conditions where the target is clearly visible and the parachutist does not enter cloud.  It is the responsibility of the parachutist, the pilot and the organiser to ensure that this requirement is enforced.

4.2.5 The descent must not be made from a height above FL 140 unless the person making the descent:

 (a) has completed an approved course of instruction covering all aspects of descents from above FL 140;  and

 (b) wears at all times while above 10,000 feet an oxygen mask of a kind that is capable of remaining firmly fitted and able to supply oxygen throughout the descent.

4.2.6 A device which indicates wind speed and direction must be in use on the DZ immediately before a descent is commenced.

4.2.7 The descent must not be made when the wind speed exceeds the following limits:

 (a) in the case of student parachutists — 15 knots;

 (b) in the case of other parachutists — 20 knots.

  (See also 4.7.9, Display Descents.)

 Note:  Wind speed should be measured at a height of 30 feet above the DZ.  If measured at eye level, add 25% to the reading.  Wind speed should be below the above limits for at least 10 minutes before commencing or resuming operations.

4.2.8 An ASA member must not make a parachute descent unless, prior to commencing operations and at such other times as directed by the DZSO, the member uses an approved means of calculating the correct parachute opening point in relation to the target.

4.2.9 Where the reserve parachute is fitted with a pilot chute, an ASA member must not make a parachute descent unless the member is certified by a Chief Instructor to be competent in emergency cutaway procedures.

4.2.10 An ASA member must not make a parachute descent unless all persons who will be on board the aircraft at the time of the descent engage in a pre-flight briefing and the pilot and parachutists agree upon all operational aspects of the flight.

4.2.11 No alcoholic beverages are to be in evidence or consumed in the operations, emplaning or packing areas while parachuting is in progress.

4.2.12 An ASA member must not make a parachute descent if the member is affected by drugs, alcohol or fatigue or if the member has consumed alcohol in the period of eight hours before the proposed descent.

4.2.13 An ASA member must not commence a parachute descent unless both the pilot in command of the aircraft from which the descent is to be made and the ASA member making or supervising the parachute descent, have both ascertained to the best of their ability that the airspace below the parachute aircraft is clear of all aircraft that could come into conflict with the descending parachutist.

4.2.14 An ASA member must not make a parachute descent in controlled airspace unless:

 (a) the pilot in command of the aircraft has advised ATC of the proposed descent and the proposed altitude for the parachute drop;  and

 (b) ATC has issued a clearance for the descent to take place in controlled airspace.

4.2.15 (a) An ASA member must not make a parachute descent in airspace commonly referred to as Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) or Mandatory Broadcast Zone (MBZ) airspace unless the pilot in command of the aircraft from which the descent is to be made broadcasts the location and altitude of the descent on the relevant frequency not less than two minutes (in the case of a CTAF) or four minutes (in the case of an MBZ) before the member leaves the aircraft, advising of the location and altitude, and the member must not commence the descent until other traffic is clear.

 (b) If an ASA member will enter CTAF or MBZ airspace on descent, the member must not make a descent unless the pilot in command of the aircraft from which the descent is to be made, in addition to the call on the CTAF or MBZ referred to in 4.2.15 (a), first makes a call on the relevant area VHF and/or ATC frequency providing the information required under 4.2.15 (a) and the member must not exit the aircraft until other traffic is clear.

 (c) Where other aircraft are, or are reasonably expected to be, in a CTAF or MBZ area, an ASA member must not make a parachute descent in the area unless the pilot in command of the aircraft from which the descent is to be made makes a broadcast on the relevant CTAF or MBZ when the member exits the aircraft advising the other aircraft of the number of parachute canopies to be expected so as to assist the pilots of those other aircraft to see and avoid the drop aircraft and parachutists.

4.2.16 An ASA member must not make a parachute descent onto a licensed aerodrome without the approval of the relevant District Office of CASA unless:

 (a) the aerodrome operator has approved parachute descents onto the aerodrome and other locally based or regular users of the aerodrome airspace are advised of the intended parachuting operations;  and

 (b) the parachute descent does not conflict with the active side of the circuit in use at the aerodrome or expected to be in use in the prevailing conditions;  and

 (c) the target is located clear of the aerodrome movement areas (runways, taxiways and aprons) by the distance prescribed by 4.3.1.

4.2.17 An ASA member must not make a parachute descent unless a DZSO has been appointed in accordance with the ASA Operational Regulations before the member carries out any parachute descent and unless the name of the DZSO is recorded on the master log before the start of the parachute descent.

PART 3 — DROP ZONE REQUIREMENTS

4.3 An ASA member must not make a parachute descent unless the descent is conducted in accordance with the following requirements.

4.3.1 The DZ and surrounding terrain must be free of obstructions likely to interfere with the safety of a parachute descent and the minimum distance from the target to any landing hazard must be:

 (a) in the case of student parachutists — 300 metres;

 (b) in the case of holders of Certificate “A” — 150 metres;

 (c) in the case of holders of Certificate “B”— 125 metres;

 (d) in the case of holders of Certificate “C” — 100 metres;

 (e) in the case of holders of Certificate “D” — 75 metres;

 (f) in the case of holders of Certificate “E” — 50 metres;

 (g) in the case of holders of Certificate “F” — 25 metres.

 The minimum area for a drop zone for the various categories of parachutists must be the area of a circle with a radius equal to the respective prescribed minimum distance between the target and any landing hazard, as listed above.

4.3.2 If the drop zone target is closer than 1500 metres to a populous area — the member must wear steerable main and reserve parachutes.

4.3.3 An ASA member must not make a parachute descent unless one of the following communications systems is available as a ground-to-air communication for the TCO to communicate to the member making a descent and/or the pilot in command of the aircraft from which the descent is to be made:

 (a) radio communications;

 (b) coloured smoke flares;

 (c) coloured light flares;

 (d) DZ target panels.

4.3.4 DZ target panels must be visible from jump altitude and must measure at least 5 metres by 1 metre.  When such panels are used, the following configurations must be used:

Competition target

Field target

 Safe to jump Orbit aircraft; Experienced Unsafe to jump;

  Do not jump parachutists only Land aircraft

PART 4 — RELATIVE DESCENTS

4.4 An ASA member must not make a relative descent unless the descent is conducted in accordance with the following requirements.

4.4.1 An ASA member who is a student parachutist must not make a relative descent before the last descent of the ASA Student Training Descent Table (Static-Line Table) set out in Schedule 7 except under the provisions of a training descent table that has been approved by the Technical Officer and CASA has consented in writing to this approval.

4.4.2 An ASA member who has not qualified for Certificate “B” must not make a relative descent except under the direct supervision of an instructor.

4.4.3 An ASA member who has not qualified for Certificate ‘B” must not participate in a relative descent with more than one person without the written permission of an instructor.

4.4.4 An ASA member must not participate in a relative descent involving more than 10 persons unless the member is the holder of an APF Australian Star Crest Award or equivalent approved by the ASA Committee.

4.4.5 ASA members participating in relative descents must break off relative work and separate at least 1000 feet above the planned opening height.

4.4.6 An ASA member must not engage in contact relative work with a Tandem‑Master carrying a passenger unless the member is the holder of at least a Certificate “E”, and has made at least 200 RW descents in the previous two years, and has the authorisation of the DZSO and the Tandem-Master for that descent.

(Note: This requirement does not apply to camera operators not engaging in contact relative work.  See also 4.8.10.)

PART 5 — NIGHT DESCENTS

4.5 An ASA member must not make a parachute descent at night unless the descent is conducted in accordance with the following requirements.

4.5.1 An ASA member must not make a parachute descent at night unless:

 (a) the member is the holder of Certificate “C”;  or

 (b) the member is the holder of a Certificate “B” and has been authorised by a Chief Instructor or ASO to make such a descent and the authorisation is endorsed in the member’s log book.

4.5.2 An ASA member must not make a parachute descent at night unless:

 (a) the aircraft from which the descent is made is operated to Night VFR or IFR procedures;  and

 (b) the member wears an approved lighted or luminous altimeter;  and

 (c) an approved flashlight is carried attached to the member;  and

 (d) the member has completed a course of instruction covering all aspects of night descents and the member’s log has been endorsed to this effect by an instructor;  and

 (e) the target area is illuminated so that it is clearly visible throughout the descent;  and

 (f) ground wind speed is below 12 knots.

4.5.3 At least the first 3 night descents made by an ASA member must be carried out in accordance with the provisions of an approved Training Operations Manual and these descents must be certified in the member’s log book by a DZSO. 

(See also 5.18.)

4.5.4 An ASA member making a parachute descent at night must not use pyrotechnic flares during free fall.

4.5.5 An ASA member making a parachute descent at night must not wear tinted or coloured goggles during the descent.

4.5.6 An ASA member must not make a parachute descent at night from an aircraft unless ground to air communication exists with the aircraft by radio or by means approved by the DZSO.

PART 6 — WATER DESCENTS

4.6 An ASA member must not make a deliberate descent into water unless:

 (a) an Instructor “B” supervises and checks all arrangements for the descent;  and

 (b) the member is a proficient swimmer;  and

 (c) the member has completed a course of instruction covering all aspects of water descents and the member’s log has been endorsed to that effect by an instructor;  and

 (d) a sufficient number of suitable vessels are standing by to pick up the member making the descent.

PART 7 — DISPLAY DESCENTS

4.7 An ASA member must not make a parachute display descent unless the descent is conducted in accordance with the following requirements.

4.7.1 When making a display descent an ASA member must not pass over any spectators at the display or any other persons who are not participants in the display (irrespective of their location) at a height of less than 50 feet.

4.7.2 An ASA member must not make a display descent unless the descent is made in accordance with the requirements of the ASA Display Manual.

4.7.3 An ASA member must not make a display descent unless the descent is under the authority of a Licensed Display Organiser and the Organiser ensures that:

 (a) having regard to the nature of the events during the display, adequate protection is provided for the safety of members of the public;  and

 (b) each parachutist in the display is, having regard to the nature of the descents involved in any event in which he or she is to participate and the size of the DZ, the holder of a certificate authorising him or her to make that descent;  and

 (c) each parachutist in the display has made at least 3 descents within the last 90 days and holds the appropriate certificates and licences;  and

 (d) the TCO is the holder of at least a Certificate “A” or a person authorised by the Technical Officer.

4.7.4 An ASA member must not make a display descent unless the member is the holder of an ASA Display Licence.

4.7.5 An ASA member who is the holder of a Display Licence “D” must not make a display descent unless the minimum distance between spectators and the target is:

 (a) if the member is also the holder of a Certificate “B” — 125 metres;

 (b) if the member is also the holder of a Certificate “C” — 100 metres;

 (c) if the member is also the holder of a Certificate “D” — 75 metres;

 (d) if the member is also the holder of a Certificate “E” — 50 metres;

 (e) if the member is also the holder of a Certificate “F” — 25 metres.

4.7.6 An ASA member who is the holder of a Display Licence “C” must not make a display descent unless the minimum landing area clear of landing hazards and spectators is 7500 square metres, or the minimum area allowed by 4.3.1, whichever is smaller, with a minimum distance of 25 metres between the target and the spectators.

4.7.7 An ASA member who is the holder of a Display Licence “B” must not make a display descent unless the minimum landing area clear of landing hazards and spectators is 3000 square metres, or the minimum area allowed by 4.3.1, whichever is smaller, with a minimum distance of 15 metres between the target and the spectators.

4.7.8 An ASA member who is the holder of a Display Licence “A” must not make a display descent unless the minimum landing area clear of landing hazards and spectators is 500 square metres, or the minimum area allowed by 4.3.1, whichever is smaller, with a minimum of 5 metres between the target and the spectators.

4.7.9 An ASA member making a display descent must not plan to land closer than 50 metres to the spectators if the ground wind speed exceeds 15 knots.

4.7.10 An ASA member must not make a display descent unless the descent is made under the direction of the holder of at least a Certificate “D” who is in the aircraft from which the descent is to be made.

4.7.11 An ASA member who is a student parachutist must not make a parachute descent at a parachuting display except as a passenger in a tandem descent.

4.7.12 An ASA member must not make a canopy relative descent at a display unless the member and all other persons in the descent have successfully completed at least 5 practice descents, all of which comply with the following conditions:

 (a) the practice descents must include the same CRW actions as are to be performed at the display;

 (b) during the practice descents all participants must land within 25 metres of the target disc.

4.7.13 An ASA member who is the holder of a Display Licence “A” or “B” may conduct a display descent or a practice descent for a display in which the exit height is less than 1,800 feet but not less than 1,500 feet only if he or she exits the aircraft separately and immediately opens his or her parachute.

4.7.14 An ASA member must not make a display descent carrying a tandem passenger unless:

 (a) the member holds at least a Display Licence “B”;  and

 (b) the member has made at least 50 descents as a Tandem-Master and has documented evidence of such descents;  and

 (c) the descent is authorised by a Chief Instructor and the minimum landing area conforms to that specified in 4.7.6 for the holder of a Display Licence “C”.

4.7.15 Where the Tandem-Master is the holder of a Display Licence “A”, the minimum landing area specified in 4.7.14 must be the area specified in 4.7.7 for the holder of a Display Licence “B”.

4.7.16 An ASA member must not make a night tandem descent with a passenger who does not hold at least a Certificate “A” unless the descent is made as a display descent and:

 (a) the member is a Tandem-Master who has made at least 100 previous tandem descents as a Tandem-Master: and

 (b) the member holds at least a Display Licence“B”; and

 (c) the descent is authorised by a chief instructor and the minimum landing area conforms to that specified in 4.7.6 for the holder of a Display Licence “C”.

4.7.17 An ASA member must not make a display descent unless the member has notified the ASA prior to the display date and uses ram air main and reserve canopies or the Technical Officer has, in writing, approved the use of a different type of main and reserve canopy and notified CASA prior to the intended display.

PART 8 — TANDEM DESCENTS

4.8 An ASA member must not make a tandem descent unless the descent is conducted in accordance with the following requirements.

4.8.1 An ASA member must not make a tandem descent as Tandem-Master unless he or she holds a valid and current Instructor “T” (Tandem-Master) endorsement.

 (See also 4.8.6.)

4.8.2 An ASA member must not make a tandem descent as a passenger unless he or she holds at least a Student Parachutist Licence.

4.8.3 An ASA member making a tandem descent as Tandem-Master must ensure that the main parachute is open not lower than 4000 feet above ground level.

4.8.4 An ASA member must not make a tandem descent unless the passenger on the tandem descent is, at all times while aboard the aircraft, attached either to the Tandem-Master or to a CASA approved restraint.  If the aircraft does not have an in-flight door, an ASA member must not make a tandem descent unless the passenger is restrained in the aircraft in such a manner that he or she can be attached to the Tandem-Master before being detached from the restraint.  If the aircraft is fitted with an in-flight door, an ASA member must not make a tandem descent unless the passenger is attached to the Tandem-Master before the door is opened in flight.

4.8.5 An ASA member must not make a tandem descent unless the passenger is thoroughly briefed in accordance with an accepted Training Operations Manual prior to each descent.

4.8.6 Notwithstanding the provisions of 4.8.1, an ASA member who has applied for an Instructor “T” endorsement and whose application has been received and approved by the Technical Officer may act as a Tandem-Master in a tandem descent carrying the holder of an ASA Parachutist Certificate as passenger if the descent is conducted under the supervision of a Chief Instructor who has an accepted supplement for tandem descents in his or her Training Operations Manual.

4.8.7 The following requirements apply to the Tandem-Master but not to the passenger: 4.1.1 (d), 4.2.7, 4.5.1, 4.7.4, 4.7.5, 4.7.6, 4.7.7, 4.7.8, 5.6 and 5.7.  The minimum size landing area for a tandem descent is that applicable under 4.3.1 to a parachutist licence one grade below that held by the Tandem-Master, with a minimum size of 3000 square metres for the holder of an “F” licence or a Display Licence “A”.  All other requirements apply both to the Tandem‑Master and to the passenger.

4.8.8 An ASA member who is a Tandem-Master carrying out a tandem descent must not engage in canopy relative work.

4.8.9 An ASA member must not make a tandem descent unless the parachute equipment is checked immediately before emplaning by a person other than the person who packed the equipment.

4.8.10 An ASA member who is a Tandem-Master carrying out a tandem descent must not engage in contact relative work unless he or she has made at least 50 descents as a Tandem-Master since gaining his or her Tandem-Master endorsement.

 (See also 4.4.6.)

4.8.11 An ASA member must not make a tandem descent unless the equipment used is fitted with an operational automatic activation device.

PART 9 — FREESTYLE DESCENTS

4.9 An ASA member must not make a predetermined freestyle, sit-flying or skysurfing descent, unless the member is equipped with an operational audible altitude warning device.

PART 10 — RECENT EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

4.10 An ASA member must not make a parachute descent unless he or she meets the following recent experience requirements:

4.10.1 An ASA member who is the holder of an ASA Parachutist Certificate who has not made a parachute descent within the period six months immediately before a proposed descent may make a descent only under the direct supervision of an instructor “B” until assessed as proficient to exercise the privileges of his or her certificate.

4.10.2 An ASA member shall not make a display descent unless he or she has made at least three descents in the last 90 days.

4.10.3 An ASA member who is the holder of an ASA Instructor “T” endorsement who has made less than 50 descents as Tandem-Master and who has not carried out three tandem descents within the period of 90 days immediately before a proposed tandem descent or one tandem descent within the last 30 days immediately before a proposed tandem descent must perform a tandem descent with an experienced parachutist before making a tandem descent with a student parachutist.

4.10.4 An ASA member who is the holder of an ASA Instructor “T” endorsement who has made 50 or more descents as Tandem-Master and who has not carried out three tandem descents within the period of 90 days immediately before a proposed tandem descent must perform a tandem descent with an experienced parachutist before making a tandem descent with a student parachutist.

SCHEDULE 5

SPECIFICATIONS IN RELATION TO TRAINING DESCENTS

5.1 An ASA member must not make a training descent unless the member holds at least an ASA Student Parachutist Licence.

5.2 An ASA member must not make a training descent unless the descent is carried out under the supervision of a Chief Instructor and is conducted in accordance with a Training Operations Manual that has been approved, in writing, by CASA.

5.3 An ASA member must not make a student training descent unless the descent is made under the direct supervision of an Instructor “B”.

5.4 An ASA member must not make an AFF training descent unless the descent is made under the direct supervision of an Instructor “B” (AFF).

5.5 An ASA member must not make a training descent of a kind specified in the ASA Student Training Descent Table (Static-Line Table) set out in Schedule 7 unless the descent is made under the direct supervision of an Instructor “B” (SL).

5.6 An ASA member who is a student parachutist must not make a training descent unless there is an effective means of communication between the member and the TCO to enable the TCO to give canopy control directions to the member.

5.7 An ASA member who is a student parachutist must not make a descent within 1000 metres of an open body of water that is more than 100 metres wide and 1 metre deep unless the member wears flotation equipment.

5.8 An ASA member who is a student parachutist must not make a parachute descent unless the descent has been approved by the DZSO.

5.9 An ASA member who is a student parachutist must not make his or her first descent unless he or she has:

 (a) completed a course of ground training in accordance with a Training Operations Manual;  and

 (b) passed written and practical examinations, set and conducted under the supervision of a Chief Instructor, which test his or her knowledge of the subject matter of the first descent.  For the purposes of the written examination only, a tandem descent is not considered a first descent.

5.10 An ASA member who is a student parachutist and who has not completed all stages of the Student Training Descent Tables set out in Schedule 7 or Schedule 8, or a training table approved, in writing, by the Technical Officer, with the agreement of CASA, must not make a freefall descent (other than as part of a tandem descent) unless the member is equipped with an automatic activation device set to operate:

 (a) the main parachute;  or

 (b) with the written approval of the Technical Officer, the reserve parachute; 

 at a safe height.

5.11 An ASA member must not make a student training descent unless he or she uses parachute equipment of a kind described in an approved Training Operations Manual.

5.12 An ASA member who is a student parachutist must not make his or her first free fall descent unless he or she has first made 3 consecutive static line descents with successful dummy ripcord pull, the last of which must have been made within 48 hours of the proposed first free fall descent.

5.13 An ASA member who is a student parachutist must not make a parachute descent unless the member is accompanied in the aircraft by an instructor or the member has completed stage 6 of the Student Training Descent Table (Static‑Line Table) set out in Schedule 7 and the DZSO has, in writing, determined that the presence of an instructor is no longer necessary.

5.14 An ASA member who is a student parachutist must not make a parachute descent unless the member’s equipment has been checked by an instructor before the member boards the aircraft from which the descent is to be made.

5.15 RW TRAINING DESCENTS

 An ASA member must not make a RW training descent unless the descent is made under the supervision of a Chief Instructor.

5.16 CRW TRAINING DESCENTS

 An ASA member must not make a CRW training descent unless the descent is made under the supervision of a Chief Instructor.

5.17 An ASA member must not make a CRW training descent which involves a change in formation below a height of 2000 feet above the ground.

5.18 NIGHT TRAINING DESCENTS

 An ASA member must not make a night training descent unless the descent is made under the supervision of a Chief Instructor.

SCHEDULE 6

EQUIVALENCE OF HIGH-WING CESSNA SINGLE-ENGINE AEROPLANES

For the purposes of paragraph 1.1 (d) of Schedule 1, experience as pilot in command of aeroplanes of a type specified in column 1 of an item may be counted as experience as pilot in command of the type(s) specified in column 2 of that item.

SCHEDULE 7

STUDENT TRAINING DESCENT TABLE  (STATIC-LINE TABLE)

Refer to 4.2.2 and Schedule 5

Note:  The exit heights shown in this table are optimum heights assuming an opening planned for the minimum heights required by 4.2.2.

SCHEDULE 8

AFF STUDENT TRAINING DESCENT TABLE

Refer to Training Operations Manual for details

SCHEDULE 9

DEFINITIONS

In this instrument, unless the contrary intention appears:

AFF means accelerated free fall.

APF means the Australian Parachute Federation Incorporated.

ASA Display Manual means the manual issued by the ASA for the organisation of parachute displays and the licensing of display organisers.

ASA means the Australian Skydiving Association Incorporated.

ASA Committee means the Committee of Management of the ASA.

ASA member means a person who is a current member of the ASA.

ASO means an Area Safety Officer, being an experienced instructor appointed by the Executive Officer in accordance with the rules of the ASA to encourage safe parachuting and generally supervise safety in the geographical area to which his or her appointment relates.

CASA means the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

canopy relative descent means a descent in which the participants attempt to bring themselves together, or near to each other, after their parachutes are open.

CAO means a Civil Aviation Order.

CRW means Canopy Relative Work, being active participation in a canopy relative descent.

Certificate “A” means an ASA Parachutist Certificate Class “A”.

Certificate “B” means an ASA Parachutist Certificate Class “B”.

Certificate “C” means an ASA Parachutist Certificate Class “C”.

Certificate “D” means an ASA Parachutist Certificate Class “D”.

Certificate “E” means an ASA Parachutist Certificate Class “E”.

Certificate “F” means an ASA Parachutist Certificate Class “F”.

Chief Instructor means an Instructor “A” approved by the Executive Officer and CASA and appointed by the ASA Committee to supervise student training for a member organisation.

cutaway descent means a descent where the parachutist deliberately jettisons the first parachute and opens a second parachute.

descent means a parachute descent, and is the period commencing from the time the parachutist exits the aircraft until the parachutist lands.

direct supervision means the personal direction of a parachuting operation in which the supervisor is present throughout the entire operation, including at the DZ, packing area and in the loft.

display means a parachuting display.

DZ means a Drop Zone, being the terrain onto which parachute descents are made.

DZSO is the abbreviation for a Drop Zone Safety Officer, and means:

 (a) when student training descents are in progress, the Chief Instructor or the Instructor “B” whom he has appointed to supervise the training;  or

 (b) when student training descents are not in progress, the holder of at least a Certificate “D” appointed prior to the commencement of the operation.

Executive Officer means an experienced Senior Instructor “A” appointed in accordance with the rules of the ASA, who is responsible for:

 (a) maintaining safety and instructional standards;  and

 (b) co-ordinating the efforts of ASA instructor panels;  and

 (c) organising national instructor seminars, national safety seminars and conferences;  and

 (d) generally supervising parachuting training nationally;  and

 (e) suggesting and promoting improvements on all aspects of parachuting with regard to safety and the assessment of planned changes to the Parachute Instructors and Operations Manual, Operational Regulations and Display Manual;  and

 (f) fulfilling the duties of the job specification approved by the ASA Committee;  and

 (g) submitting applications for chief instructors to CASA for approval;  and

 (h) appointing the National Coach, the Technical Officer, the display organisers and the office secretary;  and

 (i) co-ordinating the efforts of ASOs;  and

 (j) generally supervising sport parachuting safety nationally;  and

 (k) liaising with CASA: and

 (l) preparing and submitting the annual report to CASA;  and

 (m) submitting accident reports and monthly incident reports to CASA;  and

 (n) ASA administration.

free fall means the period beginning when a parachutist leaves an aircraft on a descent and ending when the parachutist opens his or her parachute on other than a static line descent.

freestyle means a descent where the parachutist executes gymnastics whilst in free fall.

ground wind means the wind which affects the parachute upon landing.

Instructor means a holder of an ASA Instructor Rating, Class “A”, “B”, or “D”.

Instructor “A” means a holder of an ASA Instructor Rating, Class “A”.

Instructor “B” means a holder of an ASA Instructor Rating, Class “B”.

Instructor “P” means a holder of an ASA Packing Instructor Rating.

Instructor “T” means a holder of an ASA Tandem Instructor endorsement.

jumpmaster means an instructor who supervises student parachutists in an aircraft and throughout a descent.

landing hazard means an object or group of objects on the ground likely to cause injury to a parachutist when landing which cannot be avoided by steering the canopy away 100 feet above the object or group of objects.

Licensed Display Organiser means a holder of a Display Organiser’s Licence.  The responsibilities of the Licensed Display Organiser are described in the ASA Display Manual.

member means an ASA member.

opening height means the height at which a parachutist activates the main parachute.  (Not to be confused with the height at which the parachute canopy opens.)

Organiser, in relation to a parachuting display, means a Licensed Display Organiser who is organising a parachuting display in accordance with 4.7.3.

parachuting display means a descent made within 600 metres of a populous area or conducted at a public gathering.

parachutist means an ASA member who is the holder of an ASA Parachutist Certificate or an ASA Student Parachutist Licence or an equivalent as determined in accordance with the ASA Operational Regulations.

relative descent means a descent in which the participants attempt to bring themselves together, or near to each other, during free fall.

RW means Relative Work, being active participation in a relative descent.

sit-flying means a descent where the parachutist adopts a sitting position whilst in free fall.

skysurfing means a descent where the parachutist attempts to ride a surf board whilst in free fall.

static line descent means a descent in which the parachute is opened by means of an attachment to the aircraft.

student parachutist means a holder of an ASA Student Parachutist Licence but not an ASA Parachutist Certificate.

supervision means the periodic surveillance and assessment of operations and those conducting operations in order to maintain or improve established standards.

tandem descent means a descent in which 2 participants leave an aircraft linked to a common harness/parachute system with the object of landing under a single parachute.

target means the manner of visibly marking a parachutist’s predetermined landing point.

Technical Officer means a senior instructor appointed by and responsible to the Executive Officer for the following:

 (a) maintenance of instructional standards;  and

 (b) conduct of instructor courses;  and

 (c) conduct of instructor examinations;  and

 (d) preparation, marking and security of instructor examination papers.

TCO means a Target Control Officer, being:

 (a) when student training descents (other than tandem descents) are in progress — the holder of a TCO Authority issued by a Chief Instructor, or the holder of an instructor rating other than an Instructor “P” rating;  and

 (b) when display descents are in progress — the holder of at least a Certificate “A”.

  For exception see 4.7.3 (d);  and

 (c) in all other cases — a person with a thorough knowledge of ground to air communication, meteorological conditions, the specifications in this instrument and the ASA regulations.

training descent means:

 (a) a parachute descent made by a member who does not hold at least a Certificate “B”;  or

 (b) a descent made at night by a member who has not completed the ASA night training table;  or

 (c) a CRW descent made by a member who has not completed the ASA CRW training table.

Training Operations Manual means a parachute training manual submitted by a Chief Instructor and approved by the Executive Officer and by CASA.

[Signed Bill McIntyre]

Bill McIntyre

Executive Manager

Aviation Safety Standards

4 July 2002