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Air Activities

This rule applies to all forms of air experience flying and flying instruction undertaken by members of the movement, including hovercrafting.

9.10.1.1 Before any member of the movement proceeds on to any private, civil or Service airfield the permission of the controlling body of the airfield must be obtained.

9.10.1.2 Any individual or party must be briefed as detailed in Access to Airfields (FS120702).

9.10.1.3 The above rules do not apply when visits to civil airports are confined to the spectators' enclosure or to Service establishments and civil airfields on open days or at air shows when using public enclosures.

 

9.10.2 Public liability insurance and pilot and aircraft requirements

9.10.2.1 The pilot must comply with these, supplementing or replacing them for licensing, medical and class/type ratings:

  1. the Air Navigation Order
  2. Rules of the Air
  3. Joint Aviation Requirements – Operations
  4. any Civil Aviation Authority regulations
  5. any International Civil Aviation Organization regulations.

9.10.2.2 The aircraft must comply with these, supplementing or replacing them for registration and maintenance:

  1. the Air Navigation Order
  2. joint Aviation Requirements – Operations
  3. any Civil Aviation Authority regulations
  4. any International Civil Aviation Organization regulations
  5. requirements of the Light Aircraft Association, where they have delegated authority
  6. requirements of British Gliding Association, where they have delegated authority
  7. requirements of British Microlight Aircraft Association, where they have delegated authority.

9.10.2.3 The aircraft operator must hold insurance as per one of (a) or (b):

  1. an Aviation Liability Insurance policy with a Combined Single Limit in respect of Third Party and Passenger Liability complying with the requirements of The Civil Aviation (Insurance) Regulations 2005 or any amendment or replacement thereof,
  2. an Aviation Liability Insurance policy with a Split Liability complying with the requirements of The Civil Aviation (Insurance) Regulations 2005 or any amendment or replacement thereof in respect to Third Party Liability and having a minimum in respect of Passenger Liability of one million pounds.

In either case where the aircraft is a helicopter the Passenger Liability limit must be to a minimum Level of five million pounds.

Suggested Endorsement: “It is hereby noted that this policy includes the interest of The Scout Association as an additional insured in respect of flights involving members of the Scout movement.”

Where this endorsement is not in place an indemnity to Principal Clause should be contained within their policy documentation. Further support regarding this may be obtained from Unity Insurance.

9.10.2.4  All members undertaking Air Activities (including hovercrafting) are required to notify the Scout Support Centre using the Air Notifications form before or immediately after the activity.

9.10.3 Flight briefings

9.10.3.1 Any member of the movement engaged in any flying activity must be given prior instruction in:

  1. the use of the aircraft safety harness and other safety equipment
  2. the purpose of the flight, the sensations likely to be experienced and the method of clearing the ears on ascent and descent
  3. the emergency evacuation procedures including the use of an emergency parachute where appropriate.

9.10.4 Ballooning

9.10.4.1 Where payment is involved, the flight must be under the provision of an Air Operators Certificate (Balloon) holder.

9.10.4.2 Where payment is not involved the pilot must hold a UK Private Pilot’s Licence (Balloons and Airships) and have at least 100 hours as pilot in charge of the type of balloon (hot air or gas) being used.

9.10.5 Hang Gliding, paragliding and parascending

9.10.5.1 Hang gliding, paragliding and parascending training must only be undertaken under the supervision of a person holding a British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association Senior Instructor Licence operating within a BHPA registered school.

9.10.5.2 Hang gliders, paragliders and parascending equipment purchased or used by members must comply with the British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association airworthiness requirements as set down in their Technical Manual.

9.10.5.3 Hang gliding, paragliding and parascending must be undertaken only at British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association approved sites.

9.10.5.4 Members must only undertake dual/tandem flights on hang gliders, paragliders or wing ascending canopies (this specifically excludes round canopies) with a pilot holding the appropriate British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association dual licence.

Members are not permitted to undertake dual/tandem flights using round canopies.

9.10.5.5 When overseas, professional instructors/pilots must hold the relevant national qualification or equivalent.

9.10.5.6 The flying of powered hang gliders and powered paragliders must fully comply with the appropriate rules above.

9.10.6 Hovercrafting

Hovercrafting delivered as Scout-led activity falls within the Adventurous Activity Permit Scheme, see rule 9.7. 

9.10.6.1 A helmet must be worn by anyone taking part in an organised Scout hovercraft activity, unless:

  1. a Sikh wearing a Turban chooses not to wear a helmet, and they ensure there is no loose fabric that could be drawn into the fan. This does not apply to a Sikh wearing a Top Knot
  2. a medical or additional need causes challenges with wearing a conventional outdoor activity helmet, see Activity Helmets (FS120430) for guidance.

9.10.6.2 Buoyancy aids must be worn at all times when on board a hovercraft. This applies to activities both on land and water, even when water is not in sight. 

9.10.6.3 A remote cut off device must be fitted to any craft being used for solo training.

9.10.6.4 Hovercrafting over water must only take place on inland waters of Class C, B1 or B2 waters (as defined in Rule 9.10.6.5).

9.10.7 Gliding

9.10.7.1 The flight must be under the supervision of a British Gliding Association Flying Instructor at a British Gliding Association registered club. Age, weight and maturity of the Scout member under training must be considered by the Chief Flying Instructor (or their delegated representative) of the club.

9.10.7.2 For motor / self-launching glider requirements see Rule 9.10.9.3 Powered Aircraft Flying.

9.10.8 Parachuting

9.10.8.1 Members must only undertake parachute training when supervised by a person holding an instructor rating of the British Parachute Association.

9.10.8.2 Members may undertake parachuting or skydiving through a recognised British Parachuting Association centre.

9.10.9 Powered aircraft flying

9.10.9.1 Powered Flying involving payment (in accordance with the current Air Navigation Order):

a. the flight must be provided by an Air Operators Certificate holder 

OR

b. if the flight is of an instructive nature, it must be under the supervision of a flying instructor holding a valid JAR – FCL Flight Instructor Rating (or Part-FCL equivalent) or a Civil Aviation Authority registered training facility or International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) equivalent.

The age, weight and maturity of the Scout member under training must be considered by the Chief Flying Instructor (or their delegated representative) of the facility providing the instruction.

Any Scout members who are observers in passenger seats must not pay anything.

9.10.9.2 Powered Flying where no payment is involved.

The requirement for pilot experience level is at least 200 hours total of which 100 hours are as pilot in command of an aircraft including both of these conditions:

  1. at least 20 hours as pilot in command of an aircraft of the same type as that being used to carry Scout members of which at least 3 hours must have been within the preceding 90 days
  2. at least 3 take offs and 3 landings as the sole manipulator of the controls of an aeroplane of the same type as that being used to carry Scout members within the preceding 30 days.

9.10.9.3 Motor / Self launching glider flights must be under the supervision of a flying instructor holding a British Gliding Association Motor Gliding Instructor Rating or a Flight Instructor (SLMG) Rating at a British Gliding Association registered club. Age, weight and maturity of the Scout member under training must be considered by the Chief Flying Instructor (or their delegated representative) of the club.

9.10.9.4  Microlighting must be under the supervision of a holder of the National Private Pilot’s Licence (Microlight and Powered Parachute) or a UK PPL or JAR –FCL PPL with microlight class rating and following the guidance set out by the British Microlight Aircraft Association.

9.10.10 Uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) and drones

These are defined as aircraft without pilots on board and fall within two categories based on the way they are controlled:

UAVs are flown using a remote control and are limited by the range of the transmitter, this includes all remote-controlled aerial devices such as model aeroplanes and helicopters, including devices commonly referred to as drones but operating under remote control. These devices may be electric or petrol powered.

Drones are devices which are programmable and/or automated using an on-board computer system.

9.10.10.1 All activities involving UAVs and drones must follow the regulations set out by the Civil Aviation Authority.

  1. Scout led use of drones is not permitted and is not insured by The Scout Association. Members must only take part in activities using drones if this activity is operated by an external provider with appropriate aviation insurance cover
  2. Members may use UAVs which are operated using a remote control
  3. When operating UAVs, members must ensure that the site chosen for this activity is appropriate. Consideration must be made to proximity to airfields and other similar environments as well as overhead power lines, nature reserves and/or private property
  4. Permission must be granted from the owner of the land and/or property that will be under the planned flightpath of the UAV, especially where images are being captured.

9.10.10.2 If uncertain about the insurance requirements when operating using UAVs or drones, contact must be made with Unity (Scout Insurance Services).