http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/765/article/88The Air Navigation Order 2016texttext/xmlenStatute Law DatabaseCIVIL AVIATION2026-05-05Expert Participation2026-05-01 This Order consolidates with amendments the provisions of the Air Navigation Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/3015) and takes account of the requirement to apply the provisions of certain of the Annexes to Commission Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 (O.J. No. L 296, 25.10.2012, p.1., and referred to in this Order as the “EASA Air Operations Regulation”) to different categories of aircraft following the expiry of the derogation period permitted under paragraph 3 of Article 10 of that Regulation. The Air Navigation Order 2016art. 270(2)(ea)(eb)The Air Navigation (Amendment) Order 2020art. 10art. 13art. 1(2) PART 5CHAPTER 3881Subject to the provisions of this article, an aircraft in flight must not, by means external to the aircraft, tow any article, other than a glider, or pick up or raise any person, animal or article, unless—athere is a certificate of airworthiness and—ithat certificate has been issued or rendered valid for that aircraft under the law of the country in which the aircraft is registered; andiithat certificate, or the flight manual for the aircraft, includes an express provision that it may be used for that purpose; orbthe aircraft has been authorised to do so by—ithe CAA; oriian organisation approved by the CAA to provide such an authorisation.2An aircraft must not launch or pick up tow ropes, banners or similar articles other than at an aerodrome.3An aircraft in flight must not tow any article, other than a glider, at night or when flight visibility is less than one nautical mile.4The length of the combination of towing aircraft, tow rope, and article in tow, must not exceed 150 metres.5A helicopter must not fly at any height over a congested area of a city, town or settlement at any time when any article, person or animal is suspended from the helicopter.6A passenger must not be carried in a helicopter at any time when an article, person or animal is suspended from the helicopter, other than—aa passenger who has duties to perform in connection with the article, person or animal;ba passenger who has been picked up or raised by means external to the helicopter; orca passenger who it is intended will be lowered to the surface by means external to the helicopter.7Nothing in this article—aprohibits the towing in a reasonable manner by an aircraft in flight of any radio aerial, any instrument which is being used for experimental purposes, or any signal, apparatus or article required or permitted by or under this Order to be towed or displayed by an aircraft in flight;bprohibits the picking up or raising of any person, animal or article in an emergency or for the purpose of saving life;capplies to any aircraft while it is flying in accordance with the B Conditions; ordpermits the towing or picking up of a glider otherwise than in accordance with article 87.