The Air Navigation Order 2009

PART 12 Loading of public transport aircraft

Operator’s duty concerning the loading of public transport aircraft

98.—(1) This Part applies to an aircraft registered in the United Kingdom which is being loaded for a public transport flight.

(2) The operator of an aircraft to which this Part applies must not cause or permit it to be loaded except in accordance with this Part.

(3) In this Part, loading includes the suspension of a load from the aircraft.

Requirement to load in accordance with loading instructions

99.—(1) An aircraft to which this Part applies may only be loaded under the supervision of a person whom the operator has caused to be supplied with written instructions as to the distribution and securing of the load (in this Part called “ the loading instructions”) which—

(a) conform with paragraph (3); and

(b) subject to article 102(1), conform with paragraph (4).

(2) The operator must not cause or permit the aircraft to be loaded in contravention of the loading instructions.

(3) Loading instructions conform with this paragraph if—

(a) they ensure the load may safely be carried on the flight; and

(b) they ensure any conditions of the certificate of airworthiness or flight manual for the aircraft relating to the loading of the aircraft are complied with.

(4) Loading instructions conform with this paragraph if they—

(a) indicate the additional items included in the weight of the aircraft prepared for service;

(b) show the position of the centre of gravity of the aircraft at that weight; and

(c) indicate the weight of the aircraft prepared for service.

(5) In sub-paragraph (4)(c), the weight of the aircraft prepared for service means the aggregate of the weight of the aircraft, shown in the weight schedule referred to in article 35, and the weight of such additional items in or on the aircraft as the operator thinks fit to include.

Requirement for a load sheet

100.—(1) Subject to article 102(1) and (2), the person supervising the loading of an aircraft to which this Part applies must—

(a) before the commencement of any such flight, prepare and sign a load sheet in duplicate conforming to the prescribed requirements; and

(b) if not the commander of the aircraft, submit the load sheet for examination by the commander of the aircraft who must sign it.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3)—

(a) one copy of the load sheet must be carried in the aircraft when article 150 so requires until the flights to which it relates have been completed; and

(b) one copy of that load sheet and of the loading instructions must be preserved by the operator for at least six months after the flights and must not be carried in the aircraft.

(3) In the case of an aeroplane which has a maximum total weight authorised of not more than 2730kg, or a helicopter, if it is not reasonably practicable for the copy of the load sheet to be kept on the ground it may be carried in the aeroplane or helicopter in a container approved by the CAA for that purpose.

Carriage of baggage

101.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the operator of an aircraft registered in the United Kingdom and flying for the purpose of the public transport of passengers must not cause or permit baggage to be carried in the passenger compartment of the aircraft unless—

(a) the baggage can be properly secured; and

(b) in the case of an aircraft capable of seating more than 30 passengers, the amount of baggage does not exceed the capacity of the spaces in the passenger compartment approved by the CAA for the purpose of stowing baggage.

(2) Paragraph (1)(b) does not apply to baggage carried in accordance with a permission issued under article 90(4)(c)(ii).

Exceptions

102.—(1) The loading instructions need not conform with article 99(4) and article 100(1) does not apply if—

(a) the aircraft’s maximum total weight authorised is not more than 1150kg;

(b) the aircraft’s maximum total weight authorised is not more than 2730kg and the flight is intended not to exceed 60 minutes in duration and is either—

(i) a flight solely for training persons to perform duties in an aircraft; or

(ii) a flight intended to begin and end at the same aerodrome; or

(c) the aircraft is a helicopter which has a maximum total weight authorised of not more than 3000kg, and a total seating capacity of not more than five persons.

(2) Article 100(1) does not apply if—

(a) the load and the way it is to be distributed and secured on the next intended flight are to be unchanged from the previous flight; and

(b) the commander of the aircraft makes and signs an endorsement to that effect on the load sheet for the previous flight, indicating—

(i) the date of the endorsement;

(ii) the place of departure on the next intended flight; and

(iii) the next intended place of destination.