23Parachute descents

23 Parachute descents

Function (1) It is an aviation administration function to administer a parachute descent, including: (a) an activity (a parachute descent activity) mentioned in subsection (3); and (b) issuing an authorisation to an individual to undertake the activity. (2) The function includes: (a) establishing a certification scheme dealing with the privileges available under, and any limitations of, parachutist certifications, ratings and endorsements issued to persons to undertake parachute descents; and (b) developing competency standards and units of competency (however described) for parachuting training that must be completed by a candidate for the issue of a parachutist certificate, rating or endorsement (a parachutist authorisation); and (c) developing any other requirements of the ASAO for the issue of a parachutist authorisation, including any aeronautical knowledge requirements, tests, experience requirements and assessments of ongoing competency; and (e) developing requirements for the training of tandem parachutists. Activities administered (3) A parachute descent activity includes any of the following: (a) undertaking a parachute descent; (b) conducting parachuting training during a descent; (c) assessing trainee parachutists: (i) for the issue of a parachutist certificate to undertake a parachute descent; and (ii) for the issue of a rating or endorsement on a parachutist certificate in respect of activities permitted under the certificate; (d) assessing the ongoing competency of the holder of a parachutist certificate to perform an activity authorised by: (i) the certificate; and (ii) any ratings or endorsements attached to the certificate; (e) ground control; (f) supervising a parachute descent. (4) Parachute descent activities mentioned in paragraph (3)(b), (c) or (d) include parachute descent activities that may be performed by individuals: (a) on their own behalf; or (b) on behalf of the ASAO; or (c) on behalf of a parachuting training organisation authorised by the ASAO under the function in section 27. Authorisations (5) Authorisations to undertake a parachute descent activity include: (a) a parachutist certificate entitling the holder to undertake parachute descents; and (b) authorising a person as a parachutist instructor (however named) to: (i) conduct parachuting training for the issue of a parachutist certificate, rating or endorsement; or (ii) issue an endorsement to a parachutist; or (iii) make recommendations to the ASAO to grant a rating or an endorsement to a parachutist; and (c) authorising a person as a parachutist examiner (however named) to: (i) assess candidates for a parachutist certificate, rating or endorsement; or (ii) assess the ongoing competency of the holder of a parachutist certificate to perform an activity authorised by the certificate and any ratings or endorsements attached to the certificate; and (d) an endorsement on a parachutist certificate authorising the holder, in a parachute training operation, to control a parachute descent in which a tandem parachutist is carried; and (e) a student parachutist certificate authorising a trainee parachutist who is receiving training for the issue of a parachutist certificate to undertake parachute descents; and (f) a tandem parachutist certificate authorising a person to undertake a parachute descent as a tandem parachutist; and (g) authorising a person as a ground control assistant; and (h) authorising a person as a drop zone safety officer.