PART 5Operations
CHAPTER 3Specialised activities
Dropping of articles and animals89
1
Articles and animals (whether or not attached to a parachute) must not be dropped, or permitted to drop, from an aircraft in flight so as to endanger persons or property.
2
Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), articles and animals (whether or not attached to a parachute) must not be dropped, or permitted to drop, to the surface from an aircraft flying over the United Kingdom except—
a
under and in accordance with the terms of an aerial application certificate granted under article 91; or
b
with the permission of the CAA.
3
Paragraph (2) does not apply to the dropping of articles by, or with the authority of, the pilot in command of the aircraft in any of the following circumstances—
a
the dropping of articles for the purpose of saving life;
b
the jettisoning, in case of emergency, of fuel or other articles in the aircraft;
c
the dropping of ballast in the form of fine sand or water;
d
the dropping of articles solely for the purpose of navigating the aircraft in accordance with ordinary practice or with the provisions of this Order; or
e
the dropping at an aerodrome of tow ropes, banners, or similar articles towed by aircraft.
4
Paragraph (2) does not apply to the lowering of any article or animal from a helicopter to the surface, if—
a
there is a certificate of airworthiness issued or rendered valid for the helicopter under the law of the country in which it is registered; and
b
that certificate or the flight manual for the helicopter includes an express provision that it may be used for that purpose.
5
In this article, “dropping” includes projecting and lowering.