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This Subpart prescribes rules governing the operation of gyrogliders and parasails.
(a) A person must not operate a gyroglider or parasail on an aerodrome or within 4 km of an aerodrome boundary unless—
(1) at an uncontrolled aerodrome, the gyroglider or parasail is operated—
(i) in accordance with an agreement with the aerodrome operator; and
(ii) at a height not exceeding 400 feet AGL; or
(2) at a controlled aerodrome, the gyroglider or parasail is operated in accordance with an authorisation from the aerodrome air traffic control service.
(b) A person must not operate a gyroglider or parasail—
(1) on or over any aircraft movement area of an aerodrome; or
(2) on or over any active runway or runway strip area of an aerodrome.
A person operating a gyroglider or parasail above a height of 400 feet AGL must—
(1) ensure that the gyroglider or parasail remains more than 4 km from any aerodrome boundary; and
(2) operate in Class G airspace; and
(3) provide the following information to the New Zealand NOTAM office at least 24 hours before the operation:
(i) the name, address, and telephone number of the operator:
(ii) the date, time, and duration of the operation:
(iii) a brief description of the gyroglider or parasail (including size and predominant colour):
(iv) the height to which the gyroglider or parasail will be operated.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), a person operating a gyroglider or parasail must—
(1) not operate closer than 400 feet below cloud; and
(2) limit operations to an area where the ground visibility is at least 5 km.
(b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to the shielded operation of a gyroglider or parasail.
A person must not operate a gyroglider or parasail at night.
A person who operates a gyroglider or parasail must ensure that it is fit for the intended purpose and is maintained in an airworthy condition in accordance with the manufacturer’s instruction.
A person operating a gyroglider or parasail must ensure that each person carried by the gyroglider or parasail—
(1) when flying over water, or within gliding distance of water, wears a positive buoyancy aid; and
(2) wears a rigid protective helmet; and
(3) is secured to the gyroglider or parasail by a harness; and
(4) for a parasail operation conducted with an extended towline length exceeding 600 feet, as measured from the winch drum to the parasail canopy yoke, is equipped with a positive means of communicating with the parasail operator if an emergency occurs.
A person operating a gyroglider or parasail must ensure that each person carried by the gyroglider or parasail receives a pre-flight briefing on—
(1) the nature of the flight; and
(2) the standard operating procedures; and
(3) the emergency procedures including:
(i) the location and use of emergency equipment;
(ii) the procedures to be followed in the event of a water landing, or towline separation; and
(iii) the method for communicating with the gyroglider or parasail operator if an emergency occurs.
A person must not release the towline of a gyroglider or a parasail in flight except in an emergency.
A person operating a gyroglider or parasail must do so in accordance with the operating procedures and limitations recommended by the manufacturer.
A person operating a parasail must—
(1) use a method or device to accurately determine and monitor the wind speed at the location where the parasailing operation is being conducted; and
(2) not conduct a parasailing operation in conditions where the sustained wind speed exceeds 20 knots.
A person operating a parasail must not—
(1) perform a parasailing operation with an extended towline length of more than 300 feet, as measured from the winch drum to the parasail canopy yoke, when carrying any solo passenger who is between 8 and 11 years old; and
(2) perform a parasailing operation with a passenger carried by a parasail who is less than 8 years old unless the passenger is accompanied by another passenger who is at least 18 years old, and is able to assist the younger passenger if an emergency occurs.
