AC 91-45C

Historical

Advisory circular · Waivers: Aviation Events

Approved
February 1, 1990
Last reviewed
October 24, 2024
This change
Canceled by Memo signed by Robert C. Carty for Rick Domingo (AFS-1) and Derek Honda (AFB-120); dated 11/03/2020.
Cancels
AC91-45B
Family
AC 91-45 · 1 version
Revision
C
14 CFR parts
61, 91, 103, 105

Guidance, not mandatory unless a rule or AD requires it. DRS record last changed November 22, 2025.

Show pages 22–33
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CHAPTER 6. PARACHUTING AND PARACHUTISTS

77. CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORIZATION.

While many of the activities associated with aviation events frequently require waivers, parachuting or skydiving demonstration jumps do not require waivers. As provided for in FAR Part 105, some of these jumps do require an FAA Form 7711-1, Certificate of Waiver or Authorization.

§ 105.15 is applicable to jumps over or into congested areas or open-air assemblies of persons.

FAR § 105.19 is applicable to jumps in or into control zones with functioning control towers.

FAA Form 7711-1 is required for any jump over or into a congested area.

The drift-over provision of FAR § 105.15 permits a jumper to exit an aircraft over something other than a congested area, and with a fully-deployed parachute, drift over a congested area or open-air assembly of persons, and land in Under these circumstances an FAA Form 7711-1 is not required.

The key to determine if an authorization is required are the words "over or into." In other words, the drift-over provision does not permit any jump that results in a landing into a congested area or open-air assembly of persons unless the parachutist has obtained an FAA Form 7711-1.

78. PARACHUTE ASSOCIATIONS/ORGANI- ZATIONS. Parachutists who are not members of a recognized parachute organization or the participating branch of a national aero club and who wish to participate in a demonstration or exhibition jump over or into a congested area must present satisfactory evidence of the necessary experience, knowledge, and skill equivalent to that required by the United States Parachute Association (USPA).

a. If the parachutist is unable to provide this information, the FAA inspector-in-charge may require a demonstration jump (not over a congested area as a prerequisite before approving the request.

b. The USPA, located at 1440 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314, telephone (703) 836- 3495, has adopted its own safety rules and licensing standards for parachutists, instructors, and jumpmasters. The USPA has pledged to implement a policy of self-policing to assist the FAA in avoiding conflicts with other airspace users and to maintain a high level of safety. Toward this end, the USPA has supplied every FAA FSDO with a brochure of its rules and safety programs and have offered their assistance anytime the FAA encounters problems with a particular club or has questions regarding parachuting.

79. PARACHUTIST'S COMPETENCE. The competence of parachutists is extremely important when evaluating the suitability of a landing site.

a. Holders of USPA Class C and D licenses have proven themselves to be highly skilled. Anyone holding such a license who has actively participated in the sport within the last 12 months should be competent to participate in any jump where the separation criteria meets or exceeds that established in a Level One landing area. (See paragraph 80a.)

Persons holding a USPA Class D license with a current exhibition (Pro) rating have demonstrated the additional skills that are necessary to permit exhibition demonstrations in accordance with the separation criteria established in a Level Two landing area. (See paragraph 80b.)

USPA exhibition ratings are issued to members who have a Class D license and who have accomplished 10 successive jumps into a 10-meter (32-foot) diameter target area in accordance with the following criteria:

Chap 6 Par 77 47

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AC 91-45C

(1) All landings must be made standing up.

(2) The size of the canopy used during the exhibition certification determines the canopy limitation allowed in actual demonstration jumps

(i.e., smallest canopy demonstrated).

(3) Demonstration jumps must be witnessed by either a safety and training advisor (SATO) or by an instructor/examiner (I/E), and at least two other spectators.

(4) USPA issues the added exhibition rating with an expiration date 12 months from the certification date. Members are renewed on the basis of continued demonstration of the original certification requirements.

80. LANDING AREAS. USPA divides landing areas into two distinct categories, depending on the demonstrated competency of the parachutists.

a. Level One. Parachutists who hold a USPA Class C or D license must select a landing 48 (thru 52) 2/1/90 area that permits the jumper to land no closer than 50 feet from any spectator and does not involve passing over persons on the surface at an altitude of less than 250 feet.

b. Level Two. Parachutists who hold a USPA Class D license with an exhibition (Pro) rating and who certify that they shall use a steerable square main and reserve canopy, shall be permitted to exit over or into a congested area. The selected landing area must permit the jumper to land no closer than 15 feet from any spectator and does not involve passing over persons on the surface at an altitude of less than

81. ALTERNATE LANDING AREAS.

gardless of the experience of the parachutists, "runoffs" or "escape areas" should be considered.

Small target areas may be acceptable when a suitable altemate landing area is available in the event of unexpected conditions.

82.-86. RESERVED.

Chap 6 Par 79

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Appendix 1 APPENDIX 1. FIGURES

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Appendix 1 Figure 1. Showline

SHOWLINE EXAMPLE

SHOWLINE USING

A RUNWAY AS THE

CENTERLINE

PRIMARY SECONDARY

SPECTATOR SPECTATOR

AREA AREA

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Appendix 1 Figure 2. Ingress

INGRESS 1 1,000°

AEROBATIC/FLY-BY AREA CONGESTED AREA 3

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Appendix 1 Figure 3. Egress EGRESS 1,000' | LOL

CONGESTED AREA AEROBATIC/FLY-BY AREA

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Appendix 1 Figure 4. Sample of FAA Form 8710-7, Statement of Aerobatic Competency U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION

STATEMENT OF ACROBATIC COMPETENCY PILOT FRONT Tommy Cartwright

TYPE CERTIFICATE/NUMBER Commercial 765438284

ISSUANCE DATE EXPIRATION DATE 10-30-89 10-31-90 GENERAL AVIATION EMALE PECTOR /iScal Kuell Donald R. Blackwell ASW-FSDO-1 FAA Form 8710-7 (5-78)

MANEUVER LIMITATIONS None

ALTITUDE LIMITATIONS AUTHORIZED AIRCRAFT Per BACK Waiver/FAR Pitts Special I understand that this statement of competency does not authorize deviation from FAR 91 except as defined by waiver thereto, or to the terms of Special Provisions contained in any waiver to FAR 91.

PILOT (Signare), Tommy Cartwiglet 5

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Appendix 1 Figure 5. Category I Showline - Optimum Layout

SHOWLINE

CATEGORY I AIRCRAFT 1,500' 1,500'

PRIMARY SECONDARY

SPECTATOR SPECTATOR

AREA AREA 3,000

SHOWLINE OPTIMUM LAYOUT - 1,500' FROM

THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY

SPECTATOR AREAS

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Appendix 1 Figure 6. Categimary Speciate Mered Closer To

SHOWLINE

CATEGORY I AIRCRAFT

MINIMUM 1,200' 1,500'

PRIMARY SECONDARY

SPECTATOR SPECTATOR

AREA AREA 2,700'

MINIMUM DISTANCE

BETWEEN PRIMARY

AND SECONDARY

SPECTATOR AREAS

SHOWLINE

WHEN NECESSARY TO MOVE SHOWLINE TO 1,200' FROM

THE PRIMARY SPECTATOR AREA 7

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Appendix 1 Figure 7. Category I Showline - Moved Closer To Secondary Spectator Area

SHOWLINE

CATEGORY I AIRCRAFT 1,500' 1,200' PRIMARY • SECONDARY

SPECTATOR SPECTATOR

AREA AREA 2,700'

SHOWLINE

WHEN NECESSARY TO MOVE SHOWLINE TO 1,200' FROM

THE SECONDARY SPECTATOR AREA

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Appendix 1 Figure 8. Category II Showline

SHOWLINE

CATEGORY II AIRCRAFT 800' 1,000'

PRIMARY SECONDARY

SPECTATOR SPECTATOR

AREA AREA 1,800'

SHOWLINE

WHEN IT IS NECESSARY TO MOVE THE SHOWLINE TO 800' FROM

THE PRIMARY SPECTATOR AREA

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Appendix 1 Figure 9. Category III Showline

SHOWLINE

CATEGORY III AIRCRAFT 500' 500'

PRIMARY SECONDARY

SPECTATOR SPECTATOR

AREA AREA 1,000 г

SHOWLINE

MINIMUM SHOWLINE DISTANCE

FROM EITHER THE PRIMARY

OR SECONDARY SPECTATOR AREA 10