FAR 91.307 — Parachute Requirements
FAR 91.307 explains parachute packing intervals, when occupants must wear parachutes, and bank/pitch limits for intentional maneuvers with passengers.
In Plain English
FAR 91.307 sets the rules for carrying parachutes and performing aggressive maneuvers with passengers on board.
- Packing intervals: Any parachute carried for emergency use must be approved and packed by a certificated and appropriately rated parachute rigger within the preceding 180 days if made of nylon, rayon, or similar synthetic fibers, or within 60 days if made of silk, pongee, or other natural fibers.
- Parachute operations: Except in an emergency, jumping from an aircraft inside the U.S. must be conducted under Part 105.
- Maneuver limits with passengers: Unless every occupant is wearing an approved parachute, the pilot may not intentionally exceed a bank of 60° or a nose-up/nose-down pitch of 30° relative to the horizon.
Exceptions exist for pilot certification flight tests and for spins or other required maneuvers taught by a CFI or an ATP instructing under §61.67. This rule matters because routine training (steep turns at 45°, normal stalls) is fine, but commercial maneuvers like chandelles or lazy eights with a passenger may push the limits — know where the line is before you fly.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 91.307§ 91.307 Parachutes and parachuting.
(a) No pilot of a civil aircraft may allow a parachute that is available for emergency use to be carried in that aircraft unless it is an approved type and has been packed by a certificated and appropriately rated parachute rigger—
(1) Within the preceding 180 days, if its canopy, shrouds, and harness are composed exclusively of nylon, rayon, or other similar synthetic fiber or materials that are substantially resistant to damage from mold, mildew, or other fungi and other rotting agents propagated in a moist environment; or
(2) Within the preceding 60 days, if any part of the parachute is composed of silk, pongee, or other natural fiber or materials not specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
(b) Except in an emergency, no pilot in command may allow, and no person may conduct, a parachute operation from an aircraft within the United States except in accordance with part 105 of this chapter.
(c) Unless each occupant of the aircraft is wearing an approved parachute, no pilot of a civil aircraft carrying any person (other than a crewmember) may execute any intentional maneuver that exceeds—
(1) A bank of 60 degrees relative to the horizon; or
(2) A nose-up or nose-down attitude of 30 degrees relative to the horizon.
(d) Paragraph (c) of this section does not apply to—
(1) Flight tests for pilot certification or rating; or
(2) Spins and other flight maneuvers required by the regulations for any certificate or rating when given by—
(i) A certificated flight instructor; or
(ii) An airline transport pilot instructing in accordance with § 61.67 of this chapter.
(e) For the purposes of this section,means—
(1) A parachute manufactured under a type certificate or a technical standard order (C-23 series); or
(2) A personnel-carrying military parachute identified by an NAF, AAF, or AN drawing number, an AAF order number, or any other military designation or specification number.
[Docket 18334, 54 FR 34308, Aug. 18, 1989, as amended by Amdt. 91-255, 62 FR 68137, Dec. 30, 1997; Amdt. 91-268, 66 FR 23553, May 9, 2001; Amdt. 91-305, 73 FR 69530, Nov. 19, 2008]
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You are flying VFR in Class E airspace at 8,500 feet MSL during the day. What are your minimum visibility and cloud clearance requirements?
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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1If you take a friend up and want to demonstrate steep turns and unusual attitudes, what bank and pitch limits apply?
Per FAR 91.307(c), without approved parachutes worn by all occupants, you cannot intentionally exceed 60° of bank or 30° nose-up/nose-down pitch relative to the horizon.
Q2How often must an emergency-use parachute carried in an aircraft be repacked, and by whom?
FAR 91.307(a) requires repacking by a certificated and appropriately rated parachute rigger every 180 days for synthetic-material parachutes, or every 60 days if any part is silk or other natural fiber.
Q3Do the bank and pitch limits apply during a checkride where spins are required?
No. FAR 91.307(d) exempts flight tests for pilot certification or rating, and spins or other required maneuvers given by a CFI or an ATP instructing under §61.67.
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