Dropping items from aircraft

There are strict rules for dropping items from an aircraft. 

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR) calls this dispensing or aerial application. This includes dropping or releasing any substance or object while an aircraft is in flight.

The rules apply to fixed-wing and rotary aircraft. 

There are separate rules for Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS).

Penalties apply if you don’t follow the rules.

When you can drop items

You can drop items out of an aircraft if you meet the pilot requirements and one of the following:

• You are following the aerial work rules under Part 138 of (CASR).
• You are operating an aeroplane and following the aerial application rules under Part 137 of CASR.
• You are conducting an approved air display.
• You hold an exemption against regulation 91.190 of the CASRs (which states you cannot drop anything from an aircraft).

If you are hiring an operator, make sure that they have the correct CASA authorisations.

Find an approved aerial work operator.

Pilot requirements to drop items

To drop items when operating below 500 feet above ground level (AGL), you must comply with the above section and either:

• Hold an aerial application rating under Part 61 of CASR.
• Follow the conditions in Part 16 of CASA EX32/24 (miscellaneous dropping operations).

Pilots conducting operations in accordance with a Part 137 Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) or Part 138 aerial work certificate (AWC) must meet extra conditions.

Part 137 (Aerial application operations)

Under Part 137, you can only drop items from fixed-wing aircraft certified in one of the following categories:

• normal
• restricted
• utility.

You must hold an AOC.

See our guidance about hire or reward in the GM 119.010 entry of the Part 119 AMC/GM.

Part 138 (Aerial work certificate)

Under Part 138, you can only drop items from fixed-wing or rotary aircraft (like helicopters, gyroplanes or powered-lift) certified in one of the following categories:

• normal
• utility
• restricted
• commuter
• transport.

If the aircraft is in the restricted or utility category, you cannot carry passengers on aerial work flights.

You must follow Part 138 dispensing and risk assessment rules even if you are dropping items and don't require an AWC.

If you drop items under Part 138, you need an AWC unless both apply:

• The drop is over land owned or occupied by either
  • aircraft's registered operator (for a registered aircraft)
  • the aircraft's owner (for an unregistered aircraft).
• The drop is not over a populated area or public gathering.

Air displays

Activities are air displays when they are an organised flying performance to a crowd with a general invitation to attend. This can be free or paid.

A flying performance can include:

• a contest
• an exhibition of aerobatic manoeuvres
• flying in formation
• other aircraft operations associated with the air display.

You need an approval from us to conduct an air display.

If you are practising for an air display, you can drop something from an aircraft if you meet certain conditions. This applies even if you don’t yet have an air display approval.

You must:

• follow the conditions in section 20 and 20A of CASA EX67/24
• fly in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC)
• follow the safety rules in Part 138 (Aerial work operations)
• document it.

This will be relevant if you are undertaking streamer cutting or practice displays.

We strongly encourage pilots and operators to review and ensure compliance with the rules.

You can read more about these rules in our Part 91 General operating and flight rules Plain English Guide.

Exemption pathway

You can apply for an exemption (from regulation 91.190) to allow you to drop items from an aircraft if you are not:

• covered by Part 138
• conducting an air display.

You will need to pay a cost estimate. Allow at least 90 days for us to process your application from the date we receive the required information.

Read about exemptions explained to learn the application process, required reading, and the information you must give us.

Submitting an application or paying the fee does not guarantee that we will grant an exemption.

Safety requirements

If you drop anything from an aircraft, you must:

• Ensure the safety of persons and cargo on the aircraft and the safe operation of the aircraft during the flight.
• Ensure you will not create a hazard to another aircraft, a person or property – we recommend using a risk assessment (operating under Part 138 has mandatory risk assessment requirements).
• Carry and drop the item safely, following your flight manual and aircraft certification limitations.
• Clear the drop zone of people and animals.
• Use approved aircraft openings for dropping items.
• Follow the approved procedures in your Part 137 AOC or Part 138 AWC holder’s operations manual.

Common scenarios

Below are potential pathways to conduct common dropping activities:

Streamer cutting

If you plan to do it regularly apply for a Part 138 AWC, or for an upcoming air display follow CASA EX67/24.

If you are doing it very rarely apply for an exemption.

Scattering ashes

Use an approved operator with a Part 137 or Part 138 certificate.

Dropping an object

Use an approved operator with a Part 137 or Part 138 certificate.

Fire management (incendiaries)

Use an approved operator with a Part 137 or Part 138 certificate.