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A holder of an adventure aviation operator certificate must establish and implement an operational competency assessment programme under this Subpart to ensure that crew members and ground crew members continue to be competent to perform the adventure aviation operations conducted under the authority of the certificate.
A holder of an adventure aviation operator certificate must ensure that—
(1) each pilot acting as pilot-in-command of an aircraft performing an adventure aviation operation under the authority of the certificate has, within the immediately preceding 12 months, passed a competency check, administered by an appropriate flight examiner that—
(i) is based on a typical adventure aviation operation normally performed by the pilot; and
(ii) consists of a ground-based procedure check and a flight check including applicable launch site, landing area, and aerodrome proficiency checks with 1 or more landings at an aerodrome or landing area; and
(iii) establishes that the pilot can satisfactorily perform the duties and responsibilities of a pilot-in-command of an aircraft performing the particular type of adventure aviation operation; and
(2) each pilot has, within the immediately preceding 12 months, successfully completed a written or oral test of the pilot's knowledge of the following:
(i) the relevant Civil Aviation Rules:
(ii) the certificate holder’s operations specifications and exposition:
(iii) the aircraft systems, performance, operating procedures, and the content of the flight manual or manufacturer’s operating instructions for each aircraft type or model normally flown by the pilot:
(iv) the navigation and ATC procedures as appropriate to the type of operation normally conducted by the pilot:
(v) meteorology relevant to the type of operation normally conducted by the pilot:
(vi) special flight operations as appropriate to the type of operation normally conducted by the pilot:
(vii) new equipment, procedures, and techniques:
(viii) the location and operation of emergency equipment fitted to an aircraft of the type or model normally flown by the pilot; and
(3) the flight examiner who administered the check or test required by paragraph (1)—
(i) certifies in the training record required by rule 115.65 for the pilot that the check or test has been completed and certifies the result of the check or test; and
(ii) if the check or test was completed satisfactorily, certifies in the pilot’s logbook under rule 61.29(a)(3) satisfactory completion of the check or test; and
(4) each tandem master has, within the immediately preceding 12 months, passed a tandem master competency check administered by a tandem instructor/examiner that—
(i) consists of a ground-based procedure check over 1 adventure aviation tandem parachute operation, and a check with 1 or more tandem parachute descents and landings at an aerodrome or landing area representative of the tandem parachute operations conducted by the certificate holder; and
(ii) establishes that the tandem master can satisfactorily provide instruction to tandem passengers including all aspects of the intended tandem parachute operation, and that the tandem master is competent to ensure the safety of the tandem passenger throughout the tandem parachute operation; and
(5) the tandem instructor/examiner who administered the check or test required under paragraph (4)—
(i) certifies in the training record required by rule 115.65 for the tandem master that the check or test has been completed and certifies the result of the check or test; and
(ii) if the check or test was completed satisfactorily, certifies in the tandem master’s parachutist logbook satisfactory completion of the check or test; and
(6) flight crew competency checks are carried out in an aircraft or flight simulator approved for the purpose.
A holder of an adventure aviation operator certificate must not use a crew member or ground crew member, and a person must not serve as a crew member or ground crew member, unless within the immediately preceding 12 months the certificate holder has determined, by appropriate initial and recurrent assessment, that the person has adequate knowledge and is competent in the following areas as appropriate—
(1) passenger management, including procedures to be followed for managing the behaviour of persons whose conduct might jeopardise the safety of an adventure aviation operation:
(2) crew member and ground crew assignments, functions, and responsibilities during emergencies, including evacuation of persons who may need assistance:
(3) briefing of passengers:
(4) use of cabin equipment and controls:
(5) location and operation of items of emergency equipment:
(6) location and operation of all normal and emergency exits, including evacuation chutes and escape ropes:
(7) seating and special requirements of persons who may need assistance:
(8) first aid competency to the level of NZQA unit standard 424 or an equivalent standard acceptable to the Director.
A holder of an adventure aviation operator certificate must ensure that each person performing the functions of a flight examiner in an operational competency assessment programme required by rule 115.351—
(1) holds an aircraft type rating for the aircraft used to conduct the adventure aviation operation; and
(2) is familiar with the types of adventure aviation operations conducted by the certificate holder; and
(3) holds—
(i) an appropriate current flight examiner rating issued by the Director under the Act and Part 61; or
(ii) for a hang glider or paraglider operation, a current hang glider flight examiner certificate issued by a hang glider organisation; or
(iii) for a tandem parachute operation, a current tandem instructor/examiner certificate issued by a parachute organisation; and
(4) completes initial and recurrent training applicable to the competency check carried out.
If a crew member completes a test or flight check within 60 days before the date on which the test or flight check is required, the crew member is deemed to have completed the test or flight check on the date that it is required to be completed.
A holder of an adventure aviation operator certificate must maintain accurate records of all competency assessments and testing of its crew members and ground crew under rule 115.65.
