At the STC meeting of 14 November 2024 the following amendments were made to the British Skydiving Operations Manual: The new changes are highlighted in yellow. By clicking on the link, you can gain access to the updated Operations Manual
Changes have been made to Section 9, Flying.
The changes now include the Accelerated Free Fall Instructor rating, for any member who wishes to obtain a Pilot Examiner rating, as per the requirements laid out below:
SECTION 9 (Flying), paragraph 1, Pilots, sub para, 1.14 a & e, changes to read:
1.1.4. Training.
a. Has flown at least four lifts accompanied and supervised by a British Skydiving Pilot Examiner (PE) or Chief Pilot (CP) as PIC (under supervision) on the type (*NB.1, below) of aircraft to be used. The lifts are to be live drops of one or more Licenced Skydivers under the supervision of at least a Category System Instructor (CSI), Accelerated Free Fall Instructor (AFFI) or Team Leader.
e. In the case of service pilots or commercial pilots (operating under the terms of an AOC) flying in the course of their service duty or commercial duty, this briefing may be given by a British Skydiving CSI, AFFI or Team Leader.
SECTION 9 (Flying), paragraph 1, Pilots, sub para, 1.14 a & e, changes to read:
1.1.5. Tests.
Has flown a flight test conducted by a British Skydiving Pilot Examiner as PIC on the type (*N.B.1, below) of aircraft to be used. The test will be conducted according to the Flight Test Proforma (Form 108C) and will be a live drop of one or more Licenced Skydivers under the supervision of at least a CSI, AFFI or Team Leader. Any flight test on multi engine aircraft may only be conducted by a CP or PE who holds a current multi engine rating.
or
In the case of aircraft whose seating capacity or configuration only permits the use of one pilot’s seat for skydiving to be safely conducted, have flown at least three flights with a British Skydiving Pilot Examiner and performed at least two lifts involving a live drop with a CSI, AFFI or Team Leader and under the ground supervision of a British Skydiving Pilot Examiner.
SECTION 9 (Flying), paragraph 1.4, Pilot Examiner, sub para, 1.1.4, changes to read:
1.4.4 Have 500 hours’ skydiver flying, or, 250 hours’ skydiver flying and a CSI or AFFI rating.