The Air Navigation Order 2016

Flying displays

86.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (15), (16) and (18), no person may act as the organiser of a flying display (in this article referred to as “ the flying display director”) without first applying for and obtaining the permission of the CAA for that flying display.

(2) Subject to paragraphs (16) and (18), the pilot in command of an aircraft who is intending to participate in a flying display must take all reasonable steps to be satisfied, before participating, that—

(a) the flying display director has been granted an appropriate permission under paragraph (6);

(b) the intended flight can comply with any relevant conditions subject to which that permission may have been granted; and

(c) the pilot has been granted an appropriate pilot display authorisation.

(3) Subject to paragraphs (16) and (18), the pilot in command of an aircraft who is participating in a flying display for which a permission has been granted must comply with any conditions subject to which that permission may have been granted.

(4) Subject to paragraphs (16) and (18), a person acting as pilot of an aircraft participating in a flying display must hold an appropriate pilot display authorisation and comply with any conditions subject to which the authorisation may have been given.

(5) Subject to paragraphs (16) and (18), the flying display director must not permit any person to act as pilot of an aircraft which participates in a flying display unless such person holds an appropriate pilot display authorisation.

(6) The CAA must grant a permission required by paragraph (1) if it is satisfied that the flying display director is fit and competent to safely organise the proposed flying display, having regard in particular to the flying display director’s—

(a) previous conduct and experience; and

(b) organisation, staffing and other arrangements.

(7) The CAA may grant such a permission subject to such conditions, which may include conditions concerning military aircraft, as the CAA thinks fit.

(8) The CAA must, for the purposes of this article, grant a pilot display authorisation authorising the holder to act as pilot of an aircraft taking part in a flying display if it is satisfied that the applicant is—

(a) a fit person to hold the authorisation; and

(b) is qualified by having the knowledge, experience, competence, skill, and physical and mental fitness to fly in accordance with the authorisation.

(9) For the purposes of paragraph (8) the applicant must supply such evidence and undergo such examinations and tests as the CAA may require.

(10) The CAA may authorise a person to conduct such examinations or tests for the purposes of this article as it may specify.

(11) Subject to article 253, a pilot display authorisation granted in accordance with this article remains in force for the period indicated in the authorisation.

(12) Subject to paragraph (13), for the purposes of this article, an appropriate pilot display authorisation means an authorisation which is valid and appropriate to the intended flight and which has been—

(a) granted by the CAA under paragraph (8); or

(b) granted by the competent authority of a JAA Full Member State.

(13) A pilot display authorisation granted by the competent authority of a JAA Full Member State is not an appropriate pilot display authorisation for the purposes of this article if the CAA has given a direction to that effect.

(14) A direction may be issued under paragraph (13) either for a particular authorisation, a specified category of authorisations or generally.

(15) Paragraph (1) does not apply to—

(a) a flying display which takes place at an aerodrome in the occupation of the Ministry of Defence or of any visiting force or any other premises in the occupation or under the control of the Ministry of Defence; or

(b) a flying display at which the only participating aircraft are military aircraft.

(16) Paragraphs (1) to (5) do not apply to a flying display at which the only participating aircraft are balloons.

(17) Subject to paragraph (18), the flying display director must not permit any military aircraft to participate in a flying display unless the director complies with any conditions concerning military aircraft subject to which the permission for the flying display may have been granted.

(18) Nothing in this article applies to an aircraft race or contest or to an aircraft taking part in such a race or contest or to the pilot in command or pilot whether or not such race or contest is held in association with a flying display.

(19) No person may be carried during flights for the purpose of flying displays or demonstration flying (except for the minimum required flight crew), unless the prior permission of the CAA has been obtained.