{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-regulation-2014-379/annex-I/division-7",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-regulation-2014-379/annex-I/division-7.json",
  "legislation": "eur/2014/379",
  "legislation_title": "Commission Regulation (EU) No 379/2014 of 7 April 2014 amending Commission Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 laying down technical requirements and administrative procedures related to air operations pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-regulation-2014-379",
  "path": "annex/I/division/7",
  "kind": "division",
  "number": "(7)",
  "heading": "Annex VII to Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 is amended as follows:",
  "text": "(a) All references to Regulation (EC) No 1702/2003 are replaced by references to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012.\n(b) NCO.GEN.102 is amended as follows:\n(i) the title is replaced by the following:\n‘ Touring motor gliders, powered sailplanes and mixed balloons ’;\n(ii) the following point (d) is added:\n(d) ‘Mixed balloons shall be operated in accordance with the requirements for hot-air balloons.’.\n(c) The following point NCO.GEN.103 is inserted:\n‘ NCO.GEN.103\nIntroductory flights\nIntroductory flights referred to in Article 6(5)(c) of this Regulation when conducted in accordance with this Annex, shall:\n(a) start and end at the same aerodrome or operating site, except for balloons and sailplanes;\n(b) be operated under VFR by day;\n(c) be overseen by a nominated person responsible for their safety; and\n(d) comply with any other conditions stipulated by the competent authority.’.\n(d) NCO.GEN.106 is replaced by the following:\n‘ NCO.GEN.106\nPilot-in-command responsibilities and authority — balloons\nThe pilot-in-command of a balloon shall in addition to NCO.GEN.105:\n(a) be responsible for the pre-flight briefing of those persons assisting in the inflation and deflation of the envelope;\n(b) ensure that no person is smoking on board or within the direct vicinity of the balloon; and\n(c) ensure that persons assisting in the inflation and deflation of the envelope wear appropriate protective clothing.’.\n(e) In NCO.GEN.135(a)(10), the word ‘area’ is inserted after the words ‘for the route’.\n(f) In NCO.OP.110(c), first sentence, the word ‘only’ is inserted after ‘shall’.\n(g) The title of NCO.OP.113 is replaced by the following: ‘Aerodrome operating minima — onshore circling operations with helicopters’.\n(h) In NCO.OP.127(a) and (b), the word ‘gas’ is deleted.\n(i) NCO.OP.215 is replaced by the following:\n‘ NCO.OP.215\nOperational limitations — hot-air balloons\n(a)\nA hot-air balloon shall not land during night, except in emergency.\n(b)\nA hot-air balloon may take off during night, provided sufficient fuel is carried for a landing during day.’.\n(j) NCO.POL.105(b) is replaced by the following:\n(b) ‘The weighing shall be accomplished:\n(1) for aeroplanes and helicopters, by the manufacturer of the aircraft or by an approved maintenance organisation; and\n(2) for sailplanes and balloons, by the manufacturer of the aircraft or in accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No 2042/2003, as applicable.’.\n(k) NCO.IDE.B.110 is replaced by the following:\n‘ NCO.IDE.B.110\nOperating lights\nBalloons operated at night shall be equipped with:\n(a) anti-collision lights;\n(b) a means to provide adequate illumination for all instruments and equipment essential to the safe operation of the balloon; and\n(c) an independent portable light.’.\n(l) NCO.IDE.B.125 is replaced by the following:\n‘ NCO.IDE.B.125\nHand fire extinguishers\nHot air -balloons shall be equipped with at least one hand fire extinguisher, if required by the applicable certification specifications.’.\n(m) NCO.IDE.B.140 is replaced by the following:\n‘ NCO.IDE.B.140\nMiscellaneous equipment\n(a)\nBalloons shall be equipped with protective gloves for each crew member.\n(b)\nHot-air balloons shall be equipped with:\n(1) an alternative source of ignition;\n(2) a means of measuring and indicating fuel quantity;\n(3) a fire blanket or fire resistant cover; and\n(4) a drop line of at least 25 metres (m) in length.\n(c)\nGas balloons shall be equipped with:\n(1) a knife; and\n(2) a drop line of at least 20 m in length made of natural fibre or electrostatic conductive material.’.\n(n) The following SUBPART E is added:\n‘SUBPART E\nSPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS\nSECTION 1\nGeneral\nNCO.SPEC.100\nScope\nThis subpart establishes specific requirements to be followed by a pilot-in-command conducting non-commercial specialised operations with other-than-complex motor-powered aircraft.\nNCO.SPEC.105\nChecklist\n(a)\nBefore commencing a specialised operation, the pilot-in-command shall conduct a risk assessment, assessing the complexity of the activity to determine the hazards and associated risks inherent in the operation and establish mitigating measures.\n(b)\nA specialised operation shall be performed in accordance with a checklist. Based on the risk assessment, the pilot-in-command shall establish such checklist appropriate to the specialised activity and aircraft used, taking account of any section of this subpart.\n(c)\nThe checklist that is relevant to the duties of the pilot-in-command, crew members and task specialists shall be readily accessible on each flight.\n(d)\nThe checklist shall be regularly reviewed and updated, as appropriate.\nNCO.SPEC.110\nPilot-in-command responsibilities and authority\nWhenever crew members or task specialists are involved in the operation, the pilot-in-command shall\n(a) ensure compliance of crew members and task specialists with NCO.SPEC.115 and NCO.SPEC.120;\n(b) not commence a flight if any crew member or task specialist is incapacitated from performing duties by any cause such as injury, sickness, fatigue or the effects of any psychoactive substance;\n(c) not continue a flight beyond the nearest weather-permissible aerodrome or operating site when any crew member or task specialist’s capacity to perform duties is significantly reduced from causes such as fatigue, sickness or lack of oxygen;\n(d) ensure that crew members and task specialists comply with the laws, regulations and procedures of those States where operations are conducted;\n(e) ensure that all crew members and task specialists are able to communicate with each other in a common language; and\n(f) ensure that task specialists and crew members use supplemental oxygen continuously whenever the cabin altitude exceeds 10 000 ft for a period of more than 30 minutes and whenever the cabin altitude exceeds 13 000 ft.\nNCO.SPEC.115\nCrew responsibilities\n(a)\nThe crew member shall be responsible for the proper execution of his/her duties. Crew duties shall be specified in the checklist.\n(b)\nExcept for balloons, during critical phases of flight or whenever deemed necessary by the pilot-in-command in the interest of safety, the crew member shall be restrained at his/her assigned station unless otherwise specified in the checklist.\n(c)\nDuring flight, the flight crew member shall keep his/her safety belt fastened while at his/her station.\n(d)\nDuring flight, at least one qualified flight crew member shall remain at the controls of the aircraft at all times.\n(e)\nThe crew member shall not undertake duties on an aircraft:\n(1) if he/she knows or suspects that he/she is suffering from fatigue as referred to in 7.f. of Annex IV to Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 or feels otherwise unfit to perform his/her duties; or\n(2) when under the influence of psychoactive substances or alcohol or for other reasons as referred to in 7.g of Annex IV to Regulation (EC) No 216/2008.\n(f)\nThe crew member who undertakes duties for more than one operator shall:\n(1) maintain his/her individual records regarding flight and duty times and rest periods as referred to in Annex III (Part-ORO), Subpart FTL to Regulation (EU) No 965/2012, if applicable; and\n(2) provide each operator with the data needed to schedule activities in accordance with the applicable FTL requirements.\n(g)\nThe crew member shall report to the pilot-in-command:\n(1) any fault, failure, malfunction or defect, which he/she believes may affect the airworthiness or safe operation of the aircraft, including emergency systems; and\n(2) any incident that was endangering, or could endanger, the safety of the operation.\nNCO.SPEC.120\nTask specialists responsibilities\n(a)\nThe task specialist shall be responsible for the proper execution of his/her duties. Task specialists’ duties shall be specified in the checklist.\n(b)\nExcept for balloons, during critical phases of flight or whenever deemed necessary by the pilot-in-command in the interest of safety, the task specialist shall be restrained at his/her assigned station unless otherwise specified in the checklist.\n(c)\nThe task specialist shall ensure that he/she is restrained when carrying out specialised tasks with external doors opened or removed.\n(d)\nThe task specialist shall report to the pilot-in-command:\n(1) any fault, failure, malfunction or defect, which he/she believes may affect the airworthiness or safe operation of the aircraft, including emergency systems; and\n(2) any incident that was endangering, or could endanger, the safety of the operation.\nNCO.SPEC.125\nSafety briefing\n(a)\nBefore take-off, the pilot-in-command shall brief task specialists on:\n(1) emergency equipment and procedures;\n(2) operational procedures associated with the specialised task before each flight or series of flights\n(b)\nThe briefing referred to in (a)(2) may not be required if task specialists have been instructed on the operational procedures before the start of the operating season in that calendar year.\nNCO.SPEC.130\nMinimum obstacle clearance altitudes — IFR flights\nThe pilot-in-command shall establish minimum flight altitudes for each flight providing the required terrain clearance for all route segments to be flown in IFR. The minimum flight altitudes shall not be lower than those published by the State overflown.\nNCO.SPEC.135\nFuel and oil supply — aeroplanes\nNCO.OP.125(a)(1)(i) does not apply to sailplane-towing, flying display, aerobatic flights or competition flights.\nNCO.SPEC.140\nFuel and oil supply — helicopters\nNotwithstanding NCO.OP.126(a)(1), the pilot-in-command of a helicopter may only commence a VFR flight by day remaining within 25 NM of the aerodrome/operating site of departure with reserve fuel of not less than 10 minutes at best-range-speed.\nNCO.SPEC.145\nSimulated situations in flight\nUnless a task specialist is on-board the aircraft for training, the pilot-in-command shall, when carrying task specialists, not simulate:\n(a) situations that require the application of abnormal or emergency procedures; or\n(b) flight in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).\nNCO.SPEC.150\nGround proximity detection\nIf installed, the ground proximity warning system may be disabled during those specialised tasks, which by their nature require the aircraft to be operated within a distance from the ground below that which would trigger the ground proximity warning system.\nNCO.SPEC.155\nAirborne collision avoidance system (ACAS II)\nNotwithstanding NCO.OP.200, the ACAS II may be disabled during those specialised tasks, which by their nature require the aircraft to be operated within a distance from each other below that which would trigger the ACAS.\nNCO.SPEC.160\nRelease of dangerous goods\nThe pilot-in-command shall not operate an aircraft over congested areas of cities, towns or settlements or over an open-air assembly of persons when releasing dangerous goods.\nNCO.SPEC.165\nCarriage and use of weapons\n(a)\nThe pilot-in-command shall ensure that, when weapons are carried on a flight for the purpose of a specialised task, these are secured when not in use.\n(b)\nThe task specialist using the weapon shall take all necessary measures to prevent the aircraft and persons on board or on the ground from being endangered.\nNCO.SPEC.170\nPerformance and operating criteria — aeroplanes\nWhen operating an aeroplane at a height of less than 150 m (500 ft) above a non-congested area, for operations of aeroplanes that are not able to sustain level flight in the event of a critical engine failure, the pilot-in-command shall have:\n(a) established operational procedures to minimise the consequences of an engine failure; and\n(b) briefed all crew members and task specialists on board on the procedures to be carried out in the event of a forced landing.\nNCO.SPEC.175\nPerformance and operating criteria — helicopters\n(a)\nThe pilot-in-command may operate an aircraft over congested areas provided that:\n(1) the helicopter is certified in category A or B; and\n(2) safety measures are established to prevent undue hazard to persons or property on the ground\n(b)\nThe pilot-in-command shall have:\n(1) established operational procedures to minimise the consequences of an engine failure; and\n(2) briefed all crew members and task specialists on board on the procedures to be carried out in the event of a forced landing.\n(c)\nThe pilot-in-command shall ensure that the mass at take-off, landing or hover shall not exceed the maximum mass specified for:\n(1) a hover out of ground effect (HOGE) with all engines operating at the appropriate power rating; or\n(2) if conditions prevail that a HOGE is not likely to be established, the helicopter mass shall not exceed the maximum mass specified for a hover in ground effect (HIGE) with all engines operating at the appropriate power rating, provided prevailing conditions allow a hover in ground effect at the maximum specified mass.\nSECTION 2\nHelicopter external sling load operations (HESLO)\nNCO.SPEC.HESLO.100\nChecklist\nThe checklist for HESLO shall contain:\n(a) normal, abnormal and emergency procedures;\n(b) relevant performance data;\n(c) required equipment;\n(d) any limitations; and\n(e) responsibilities and duties of the pilot-in-command, and, if applicable, crew members and task specialists.\nNCO.SPEC.HESLO.105\nSpecific HESLO equipment\nThe helicopter shall be equipped with at least:\n(a) one cargo safety mirror or alternative means to see the hook(s)/load; and\n(b) one load meter, unless there is another method of determining the weight of the load.\nNCO.SPEC.HESLO.110\nTransportation of dangerous goods\nThe operator transporting dangerous goods to or from unmanned sites or remote locations shall apply to the competent authority for an exemption from the provisions of the Technical Instructions if they intend not to comply with the requirements of those Instructions.\nSECTION 3\nHuman external cargo operations (HEC)\nNCO.SPEC.HEC.100\nChecklist\nThe checklist for HEC shall contain:\n(a) normal, abnormal and emergency procedures;\n(b) relevant performance data;\n(c) required equipment;\n(d) any limitations; and\n(e) responsibilities and duties of the pilot-in-command, and, if applicable, crew members and task specialists.\nNCO.SPEC.HEC.105\nSpecific HEC equipment\n(a)\nThe helicopter shall be equipped with:\n(1) hoist operations equipment or cargo hook;\n(2) one cargo safety mirror or alternative means to see the hook; and\n(3) one load meter, unless there is another method of determining the weight of the load.\n(b)\nThe installation of all hoist and cargo hook equipment and any subsequent modifications shall have an airworthiness approval appropriate to the intended function.\nSECTION 4\nParachute operations (PAR)\nNCO.SPEC.PAR.100\nChecklist\nThe checklist for PAR shall contain:\n(a) normal, abnormal and emergency procedures;\n(b) relevant performance data;\n(c) required equipment;\n(d) any limitations; and\n(e) responsibilities and duties of the pilot-in-command, and, if applicable, crew members and task specialists.\nNCO.SPEC.PAR.105\nCarriage of crew members and task specialists\nThe requirement laid down in NCO.SPEC.120(c) shall not be applicable for task specialists performing parachute jumping.\nNCO.SPEC.PAR.110\nSeats\nNotwithstanding NCO.IDE.A.140(a)(1) and NCO.IDE.H.140(a)(1), the floor of the aircraft may be used as a seat, provided means are available for the task specialist to hold or strap on.\nNCO.SPEC.PAR.115\nSupplemental oxygen\nNotwithstanding NCO.SPEC.110(f), the requirement to use supplemental oxygen shall not be applicable for crew members other than the pilot-in-command and for task specialists carrying out duties essential to the specialised task, whenever the cabin altitude:\n(a) exceeds 13 000 ft, for a period of not more than 6 minutes;, or\n(b) exceeds 15 000 ft, for a period of not more 3 minutes.\nNCO.SPEC.PAR.120\nRelease of dangerous goods\nNotwithstanding NCO.SPEC.160, parachutists may exit the aircraft for the purpose of parachute display over congested areas of cities, towns or settlements or over an open-air assembly of persons whilst carrying smoke train devices, provided these are manufactured for this purpose.\nSECTION 5\nAerobatic flights (ABF)\nNCO.SPEC.ABF.100\nChecklist\nThe checklist for ABF shall contain:\n(a) normal, abnormal and emergency procedures;\n(b) relevant performance data;\n(c) required equipment;\n(d) any limitations; and\n(e) responsibilities and duties of the pilot-in-command, and, if applicable, crew members and task specialists.\nNCO.SPEC.ABF.105\nDocuments and information\nThe following documents and information listed in NCO.GEN.135(a) need not be carried during aerobatic flights:\n(a) details of the filed ATS flight plan, if applicable;\n(b) current and suitable aeronautical charts for the route/area of the proposed flight and all routes along which it is reasonable to expect that the flight may be diverted; and\n(c) procedures and visual signals information for use by intercepting and intercepted aircraft.\nNCO.SPEC.ABF.110\nEquipment\nThe following equipment requirements need not be applicable to aerobatic flights:\n(a) first-aids kit as laid down in NCO.IDE.A.145 and NCO.IDE.H.145;\n(b) hand-fire extinguishers as laid down in NCO.IDE.A.160 and NCO.IDE.H.180; and\n(c) emergency locator transmitters or personal locator beacons as laid down in NCO.IDE.A.170 and NCO.IDE.H.170.’.",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2014/379/annex/I/division/7",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-11-01T14:47:45.849187+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}