Part 105—Parachute Operations

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT § 105.3

PART 105—PARACHUTE (c) Sections 105.5, 105.9, 105.13, 105.15, OPERATIONS 105.17, 105.19 through 105.23, 105.25(a)(1) and 105.27 of this part do not apply to Subpart A—General a parachute operation conducted by a member of an Armed Force— Sec. (1) Over or within a restricted area 105.1 Applicability. when that area is under the control of 105.3 Definitions. an Armed Force. 105.5 General. 105.7 use of alcohol and drugs. (2) During military operations in un- 105.9 Inspections. controlled airspace.

Subpart B—Operating Rules § 105.3 Definitions. 105.13 Radio equipment and use require- For the purposes of this part— ments. Approved parachute means a para- 105.15 Information required and notice of chute manufactured under a type cer- cancellation or postponement of a para- tificate or a Technical Standard Order chute operation. (C–23 series), or a personnel-carrying 105.17 Flight visibility and clearance from U.S. military parachute (other than a cloud requirements. high altitude, high speed, or ejection 105.19 Parachute operations between sunset type) identified by a Navy Air Facility, and sunrise. 105.21 Parachute operations over or into a an Army Air Field, and Air Force-Navy congested area or an open-air assembly drawing number, an Army Air Field of persons. order number, or any other military 105.23 Parachute operations over or onto designation or specification number. airports. Automatic Activation Device means a 105.25 Parachute operations in designated self-contained mechanical or electro- airspace. mechanical device that is attached to the interior of the reserve parachute Subpart C—Parachute Equipment and container, which automatically initi- Packing ates parachute deployment of the re- 105.41 Applicability. serve parachute at a pre-set altitude, 105.43 Use of single-harness, dual-parachute time, percentage of terminal velocity, systems. or combination thereof. 105.45 Use of tandem parachute systems. Direct Supervision means that a cer- 105.47 Use of static lines. tificated rigger personally observes a 105.49 Foreign parachutists and equipment. non-certificated person packing a main AUTHORITY: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113–40114, parachute to the extent necessary to 44701–44702, 44721. ensure that it is being done properly, SOURCE: Doc. No. FAA–1999–5483, 66 FR and takes responsibility for that pack- 23553, May 9, 2001, unless otherwise noted. ing. Drop Zone means any pre-determined § 105.1 Applicability. area upon which parachutists or ob- (a) Except as provided in paragraphs jects land after making an intentional (b) and (c) of this section, this part pre- parachute jump or drop. The center- scribes rules governing parachute oper- point target of a drop zone is expressed ations conducted in the United States. in nautical miles from the nearest VOR (b) This part does not apply to a facility when 30 nautical miles or less; parachute operation conducted— or from the nearest airport, town, or (1) In response to an in-flight emer- city depicted on the appropriate Coast gency, or and Geodetic Survey World Aero- (2) To meet an emergency on the sur- nautical Chart or Sectional Aero- face when it is conducted at the direc- nautical Chart, when the nearest VOR tion or with the approval of an agency facility is more than 30 nautical miles of the United States, or of a State, from the drop zone. Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, Foreign parachutist means a para- or a possession of the United States, or chutist who is neither a U.S. citizen or an agency or political subdivision a resident alien and is participating in thereof. parachute operations within the United

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States using parachute equipment not ployment of a main or reserve para- manufctured in the United States. chute. Freefall means the portion of a para- Ram-air parachute means a parachute chute jump or drop between aircraft with a canopy consisting of an upper exit and parachute deployment in and lower surface that is inflated by which the parachute is activated ram air entering through specially de- manually by the parachutist at the signed openings in the front of the can- parachutist’s discretion or automati- opy to form a gliding airfoil. cally, or, in the case of an object, is ac- Reserve parachute means an approved tivated automatically. parachute worn for emergency use to Main parachute means a parachute be activated only upon failure of the worn as the primary parachute used or main parachute or in any other emer- intended to be used in conjunction with gency where use of the main parachute a reserve parachute. is impractical or use of the main para- Object means any item other than a chute would increase risk. person that descends to the surface Single-harness, dual parachute system: from an aircraft in flight when a para- means the combination of a main parachute is used or is intended to be used chute, approved reserve parachute, and during all or part of the descent. approved single person harness and Parachute drop means the descent of dual-parachute container. This para- an object to the surface from an air- chute system may have an operational craft in flight when a parachute is used automatic activation device installed. or intended to be used during all or Tandem parachute operation: means a part of that descent. parachute operation in which more Parachute jump means a parachute than one person simultaneously uses operation that involves the descent of the same tandem parachute system one or more persons to the surface while descending to the surface from from an aircraft in flight when an air- an aircraft in flight. craft is used or intended to be used dur- Tandem parachute system: means the ing all or part of that descent. combination of a main parachute, ap- Parachute operation means the per- proved reserve parachute, and approved formance of all activity for the purpose harness and dual parachute container, of, or in support of, a parachute jump and a separate approved forward har- or a parachute drop. This parachute op- ness for a passenger parachutist. This eration can involve, but is not limited parachute system must have an oper- to, the following persons: parachutist, ational automatic activation device in- parachutist in command and passenger stalled. in tandem parachute operations, drop zone or owner or operator, jump mas- § 105.5 General. ter, certificated parachute rigger, or pilot. No person may conduct a parachute Parachutist means a person who in- operation, and no pilot in command of tends to exit an aircraft while in flight an aircraft may allow a parachute op- using a single-harness, dual parachute eration to be conducted from an air- system to descend to the surface. craft, if that operation creates a hazard Parachutist in command means the to air traffic or to persons or property person responsible fro the operation on the surface. and safety of a tandem parachute oper- § 105.7 Use of alcohol and drugs. ation. Passenger parachutist means a person No person may conduct a parachute who boards an aircraft, acting as other operation, and no pilot in command of than the parachutist in command of a an aircraft may allow a person to con- tandem parachute operation, with the duct a parachute operation from that intent of exiting the aircraft while in- aircraft, if that person is or appears to flight using the forward harness of a be under the influence of— dual harness tandem parachute system (a) Alcohol, or to descend to the surface. (b) Any drug that affects that per- Pilot chute means a small parachute son’s faculties in any way contrary to used to initiate and/or accelerate de- safety.

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§ 105.9 Inspections. § 105.15 Information required and notice of cancellation or postpone- The Administrator may inspect any ment of a parachute operation. parachute operation to which this part applies (including inspections at the (a) Each person requesting an author- site where the parachute operation is ization under §§ 105.21(b) and 105.25(a)(2) being conducted) to determine compli- of this part and each person submitting ance with the regulations of this part. a notification under § 105.25(a)(3) of this part must provide the following information (on an individual or group Subpart B—Operating Rules basis): (1) The date and time the parachute § 105.13 Radio equipment and use requirements. operation will begin. (2) The radius of the drop zone (a) Except when otherwise authorized around the target expressed in nautical by air traffic control— miles. (1) No person may conduct a para- (3) The location of the center of the chute operation, and no pilot in com- drop zone in relation to— mand of an aircraft may allow a para- (i) The nearest VOR facility in terms chute operation to be conducted from of the VOR radial on which it is lo- that aircraft, in or into controlled air- cated and its distance in nautical miles space unless, during that flight— from the VOR facility when that facil- (i) The aircraft is equipped with a ity is 30 nautical miles or less from the functioning two-way radio communica- drop zone target; or tion system appropriate to the air traf- (ii) the nearest airport, town, or city fic control facilities being used; and depicted on the appropriate Coast and (ii) Radio communications have been Geodetic Survey World Aeronautical established between the aircraft and Chart or Sectional Aeronautical Chart, the air traffic control facility having when the nearest VOR facility is more jurisdiction over the affected airspace than 30 nautical miles from the drop of the first intended exit altitude at zone target. least 5 minutes before the parachute (4) Each altitude above mean sea operation begins. The pilot in com- level at which the aircraft will be oper- mand must establish radio communica- ated when parachutists or objects exist tions to receive information regarding the aircraft. air traffic activity in the vicinity of (5) The duration of the intended para- the parachute operation. chute operation. (2) The pilot in command of an air- (6) The name, address, and telephone craft used for any parachute operation number of the person who requests the in or into controlled airspace must, authorization or gives notice of the during each flight— parachute operation. (i) Continuously monitor the appro- (7) The registration number of the priate frequency of the aircraft’s radio aircraft to be used. communications system from the time (8) The name of the air traffic control radio communications are first estab- facility with jurisdiction of the air- lished between the aircraft and air space at the first intended exit altitude traffic control, until the pilot advises to be used for the parachute operation. air traffic control that the parachute (b) Each holder of a certificate of au- operation has ended for that flight. thorization issued under §§ 105.21(b) and (ii) Advise air traffic control when 105.25(b) of this part must present that the last parachutist or object leaves certificate for inspection upon the re- the aircraft. quest of the Administrator or any Fed- (b) Parachute operations must be eral, State, or local official. aborted if, prior to receipt of a required (c) Each person requesting an author- air traffic control authorization, or ization under §§ 105.21(b) and 105.25(a)(2) during any parachute operation in or of this part and each person submitting into controlled airspace, the required a notice under § 105.25(a)(3) of this part radio communications system is or be- must promptly notify the air traffic comes inoperative. control facility having jurisdiction

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over the affected airspace if the pro- under this section. However, a para- posed or scheduled parachute operation chutist may drift over a congested area is canceled or postponed. or an open-air assembly of persons with a fully deployed and properly func- § 105.17 Flight visibility and clearance tioning parachute if that parachutist is from cloud requirements. at a sufficient altitude to avoid cre- No person may conduct a parachute ating a hazard to persons or property operation, and no pilot in command of on the surface. an aircraft may allow a parachute op- (b) An application for a certificate of eration to be conducted from that air- authorization issued under this section craft— must— (a) Into or through a cloud, or (1) Be made in the form and manner (b) When the flight visibility or the prescribed by the Administrator, and distance from any cloud is less than (2) Contain the information required that prescribed in the following table: in § 105.15(a) of this part. (c) Each holder of, and each person Flight visibility named as a participant in a certificate Altitude (statute Distance from clouds of authorization issued under this sec- miles) tion must comply with all require- 1,200 feet or less 3 500 feet below, 1,000 ments contained in the certificate of above the surface re- feet above, 2,000 authorization. gardless of the MSL feet horizontal. (d) Each holder of a certificate of au- altitude. More than 1,200 feet 3 500 feet below, 1,000 thorization issued under this section above the surface feet above, 2,000 must present that certificate for in- but less than 10,000 feet horizontal. spection upon the request of the Ad- feet MSL. More than 1,200 feet 5 1,000 feet below, 1,000 ministrator, or any Federal, State, or above the surface feet above, 1 mile local official. and at or above horizontal. 10,000 feet MSL. § 105.23 Parachute operations over or onto airports. § 105.19 Parachute operations between No person may conduct a parachute sunset and sunrise. operation, and no pilot in command of (a) No person may conduct a para- an aircraft may allow a parachute op- chute operation, and no pilot in com- eration to be conducted from that air- mand of an aircraft may allow a person craft, over or onto any airport unless— to conduct a parachute operation from (a) For airports with an operating an aircraft between sunset and sunrise, control tower: unless the person or object descending (1) Prior approval has been obtained from the aircraft displays a light that from the management of the airport to is visible for at least 3 statute miles. conduct parachute operations over or (b) The light required by paragraph on that airport. (a) of this section must be displayed (2) Approval has been obtained from from the time that the person or object the control tower to conduct parachute is under a properly functioning open operations over or onto that airport. parachute until that person or object (3) Two-way radio communications reaches the surface. are maintained between the pilot of the aircraft involved in the parachute oper- § 105.21 Parachute operations over or ation and the control tower of the air- into a congested area or an open-air port over or onto which the parachute assembly of persons. operation is being conducted. (a) No person may conduct a para- (b) For airports without an operating chute operation, and no pilot in com- control tower, prior approval has been mand of an aircraft may allow a para- obtained from the management of the chute operation to be conducted from airport to conduct parachute oper- that aircraft, over or into a congested ations over or on that airport. area of a city, town, or settlement, or (c) A parachutist may drift over that an open-air assembly of persons unless airport with a fully deployed and prop- a certificate of authorization for that erly functioning parachute if the para- parachute operation has been issued chutist is at least 2,000 feet above that

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airport’s traffic pattern, and avoids (d) Paragraph (a)(3) of this section creating a hazard to air traffic or to does not apply to a parachute oper- persons and property on the ground. ation conducted by a member of an Armed Force within a restricted area § 105.25 Parachute operations in des- that extends upward from the surface ignated airspace. when that area is under the control of (a) No person may conduct a para- an Armed Force. chute operation, and no pilot in command of an aircraft may allow a para- Subpart C—Parachute Equipment chute operation to be conducted from and Packing that aircraft— (1) Over or within a restricted area or § 105.41 Applicability. prohibited area unless the controlling agency of the area concerned has au- This subpart prescribed rules gov- thorized that parachute operation; erning parachute equipment used in (2) Within or into a Class A, B, C, D civil parachute operations. airspace area without, or in violation § 105.43 Use of single-harness, dual- of the requirements of, an air traffic parachute systems. control authorization issued under this section; No person may conduct a parachute (3) Except as provided in paragraph operation using a single-harness, dual- (c) and (d) of this section, within or parachute system, and no pilot in com- into Class E or G airspace area unless mand of an aircraft may allow any per- the air traffic control facility having son to conduct a parachute operation jurisdiction over the airspace at the from that aircraft using a single-har- first intended exit altitude is notified ness, dual-parachute system, unless of the parachute operation no earlier that system has at least one main than 24 hours before or no later than 1 parachute, one approved reserve para- hour before the parachute operation chute, and one approved single person begins. harness and container that are packed (b) Each request for a parachute op- as follows: eration authorization or notification (a) The main parachute must have required under this section must be been packed within 180 days before the submitted to the air traffic control fa- date of its use by a certificated para- cility having jurisdiction over the air- chute rigger, the person making the space at the first intended exit altitude next jump with that parachute, or a and must include the information pre- non-certificated person under the di- scribed by § 105.15(a) of this part. rect supervision of a certificated para- (c) For the purposes of paragraph chute rigger. (a)(3) of this section, air traffic control (b) The reserve parachute must have facilities may accept a written notifi- been packed by a certificated para- cation from an organization that con- chute rigger— ducts parachute operations and lists (1) Within 180 days before the date of the scheduled series of parachute oper- its use, if its canopy, shroud, and har- ations to be conducted over a stated period of time not longer than 12 cal- ness are composed exclusively of nylon, endar months. The notification must rayon, or similar synthetic fiber or ma- contain the information prescribed by terial that is substantially resistant to § 105.15(a) of this part, identify the re- damage from mold, mildew, and other sponsible persons associated with that fungi, and other rotting agents propa- parachute operation, and be submitted gated in a moist environment; or at least 15 days, but not more than 30 (2) Within 60 days before the date of days, before the parachute operation its use, if it is composed of any amount begins. The FAA may revoke the ac- of silk, pongee, or other natural fiber, ceptance of the notification for any or material not specified in paragraph failure of the organization conducting (b)(1) of this section. the parachute operations to comply with its requirements.

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(c) If installed, the automatic activa- (b) No person may make a parachute tion device must be maintained in ac- jump with a tandem parachute system cordance with manufacturer instruc- unless— tions for that automatic activation de- (1) The main parachute has been vice. packed by a certificated parachute rigger, the parachutist in command mak- [Doc. No. FAA–1999–5483, 66 FR 23553, May 9, ing the next jump with that parachute, 2001, as amended by Amdt. 105–13, 73 FR 69531, Nov. 19, 2008] or a person under the direct supervision of a certificated parachute rig- § 105.45 Use of tandem parachute sys- ger. tems. (2) The reserve parachute has been packed by a certificated parachute rig- (a) No person may conduct a para- ger in accordance with § 105.43(b) of this chute operation using a tandem para- part. chute system, and no pilot in command (3) The tandem parachute system of an aircraft may allow any person to contains an operational automatic ac- conduct a parachute operation from tivation device for the reserve para- that aircraft using a tandem parachute chute, approved by the manufacturer of system, unless— that tandem parachute system. The de- (1) One of the parachutists using the vice must— tandem parachute system is the para- (i) Have been maintained in accord- chutist in command, and meets the fol- ance with manufacturer instructions, lowing requirements: and (i) Has a minimum of 3 years of expe- (ii) Be armed during each tandem rience in parachuting, and must pro- parachute operation. vide documentation that the para- (4) The passenger parachutist is pro- chutist— vided with a manual main parachute (ii) Has completed a minimum of 500 activation device and instructed on the freefall parachute jumps using a ram- use of that device, if required by the air parachute, and owner/operator. (iii) Holds a master parachute license (5) The main parachute is equipped issued by an organization recognized with a single-point release system. by the FAA, and (6) The reserve parachute meets (iv) Has successfully completed a Technical Standard Order C23 speci- tandem instructor course given by the fications. manufacturer of the tandem parachute system used in the parachute operation § 105.47 Use of static lines. or a course acceptable to the Adminis- (a) Except as provided in paragraph trator. (c) of this section, no person may con- (v) Has been certified by the appro- duct a parachute operation using a priate parachute manufacturer or tan- static line attached to the aircraft and dem course provider as being properly the main parachute unless an assist de- trained on the use of the specific tan- vice, described and attached as follows, dem parachute system to be used. is used to aid the pilot chute in per- (2) The person acting as parachutist forming its function, or, if no pilot in command: chute is used, to aid in the direct de- (i) Has briefed the passenger para- ployment of the main parachute can- chutist before boarding the aircraft. opy. The assist device must— The briefing must include the proce- (1) Be long enough to allow the main dures to be used in case of an emer- parachute container to open before a gency with the aircraft or after exiting load is placed on the device. the aircraft, while preparing to exit (2) Have a static load strength of— and exiting the aircraft, freefall, oper- (i) At least 28 pounds but not more ating the parachute after freefall, land- than 160 pounds if it is used to aid the ing approach, and landing. pilot chute in performing its function; (ii) Uses the harness position pre- or scribed by the manufacturer of the tan- (ii) At least 56 pounds but not more dem parachute equipment. than 320 pounds if it is used to aid in

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the direct deployment of the main (1) The parachute system is worn by parachute canopy; and a foreign parachutist who is the owner (3) Be attached as follows: of that system. (i) At one end, to the static line (2) The parachute system is of a sin- above the static-line pins or, if static- gle-harness dual parachute type. line pins are not used, above the static- (3) The parachute system meets the line ties to the parachute cone. civil aviation authority requirements (ii) At the other end, to the pilot of the foreign parachutist’s country. chute apex, bridle cord, or bridle loop, or, if no pilot chute is used, to the (4) All foreign non-approved para- main parachute canopy. chutes deployed by a foreign para- (b) No person may attach an assist chutist during a parachute operation device required by paragraph (a) of this conducted under this section shall be section to any main parachute unless packed as follows— that person is a certificated parachute (i) The main parachute must be rigger or that person makes the next packed by the foreign parachutist mak- parachute jump with that parachute. ing the next parachute jump with that (c) An assist device is not required parachute, a certificated parachute rig- for parachute operations using direct- ger, or any other person acceptable to deployed, ram-air parachutes. the Administrator. (ii) The reserve parachute must be § 105.49 Foreign parachutists and equipment. packed in accordance with the foreign parachutist’s civil aviation authority (a) No person may conduct a para- requirements, by a certificated parachute operation, and no pilot in com- chute rigger, or any other person ac- mand of an aircraft may allow a parachute operation to be conducted from ceptable to the Administrator. that aircraft with an unapproved foreign parachute system unless— PARTS 106–109 [RESERVED]

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