Hong Kong Regulations

AIR NAVIGATION (HONG KONG) ORDER 1995 - SECT 40

Dropping of animals and articles

(Past version on 30/06/1997).

Adaptation amendments retroactively made - see 36 of 1999 s. 3

(1) Articles and animals (whether or not attached to a parachute) shall not be
dropped, or permitted to drop, from an aircraft in flight so as to endanger
persons or property.

(2) Except under and in accordance with the terms of an aerial application
certificate granted under Article 42 of this Order articles and animals
(whether or not attached to a parachute) shall not be dropped or permitted to
drop, to the surface from an aircraft flying over Hong Kong: Provided that
this paragraph shall not apply to the dropping of articles by, or with the
authority of, the commander of the aircraft in any of the following
circumstances:

   (a)  the dropping of articles for the purpose of saving life;

   (b)  the jettisoning, in case of emergency, of fuel or other articles in
        the aircraft;

   (c)  the dropping of ballast in the form of fine sand or water;

   (d)  the dropping of articles solely for the purpose of navigating the
        aircraft in accordance with ordinary practice or with the provisions
        of this Order;

   (e)  the dropping at an aerodrome of tow ropes, banners, or similar
        articles towed by aircraft;

   (f)  the dropping of articles for the purposes of public health or as a
        measure against weather conditions, surface icing or oil pollution, or
        for training for the dropping of articles for any such purposes, if
        the articles are dropped with the permission of the Chief Executive
        and in accordance with any conditions subject to which that permission
        may have been given; (36 of 1999 s. 3)

   (g)  the dropping of wind drift indicators for the purpose of enabling
        parachute descents to be made if the wind drift indicators are dropped
        with the permission of the Chief Executive and in accordance with any
        conditions subject to which that permission may have been given. (36
        of 1999 s. 3)

(3) For the purposes of this Article dropping includes projecting and
lowering.

(4) Nothing in this Article shall prohibit the lowering of any animal or
article from a helicopter to the surface, if the certificate of airworthiness
issued or rendered valid in respect of the helicopter under the law of the
country in which it is registered includes an express provision that it may be
used for that purpose.