Flying Display Safety

Article 70 of The Air Navigation Order 2000 (ANO) as amended, empowers the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to regulate civil Flying Displays within the UK. The safety and administrative procedures to be followed by the organisers and participants at such events are contained in Civil Air Publication (CAP) 403. Military Flying Displays are defined in Article 70 of the ANO, and they are conducted under the regulation of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and in accordance with Joint Service Publication 550. Some of the key elements and requirements are as follows:

Flying Display - Any flying activity deliberately performed for the purpose of providing an exhibition or entertainment at an advertised event open to the public.

Event Organiser - The organiser of an event which includes a flying display.

Flying Display Director (FDD) - The person responsible to the CAA for the safe conduct of a flying display, and who is named as such on the Permission issued. FDDs, when making application for a permission to hold a flying display, are required to confirm that the organisation and conduct of the flying display will be in accordance with the provisions of CAP 403. He/she must be suitably experienced, dependent upon the size and complexity of the flying display, in all matters relating to flying in general and flying displays in particular before being appointed to the position. The FDD is responsible for flying discipline generally, control of the flying display programme and cancellation or modification to the programme in the light of prevailing weather or other conditions.

Flying Control Committee (FCC) - it is recommended that a FCC is utilised at medium and larger displays to assist the FDD in monitoring display standards, to provide specialist knowledge for specific display items, and to offer in depth opinion in the case of infringement of the regulations. The FCC should be available throughout the period of the flying display.

AvSafe has flying display and flying control committee experience, and has carried out safety audits of both military and civilian organised flying displays. A Risk Assessment is an essential element of a successful flying display. We are particularly well qualified in generic and specific assessments, and have presented and discussed the topic at several seminars. Please contact us for further advice and specialist assistance.