Code of Good Practice: Aircraft Activities

As part of our commitment to advancing sustainable tourism, we encourage our tourism partners to improve their sustainability performance by providing them with the guidance below.

• Ensure applicable legal permits, licenses, & permission to access the activity area are in place
• Ensure insurance is in place for guests and team
• Identify health & safety risks, implement management systems, and provide appropriate safety equipment
• Ensure enough team members are available in case of emergency
• Monitor activity area conditions (including weather) in advance & during the activity
• Be familiar with activity area and ensure that navigation and communication tools are in good working order
• Maximize local economic benefits through employment and purchasing
• Avoid single use & disposable items, provide waste collection facilities for safe disposal, and pick up any rubbish found in the area
• Use eco-friendly products, e.g., cleaning products
• Be waterwise and take pro-active measures to use water sparingly
• Minimize energy used in the activity as part of a climate action strategy, including flight planning, scheduling, taxiing, and aircraft operations to maximize fuel efficiency
• Aircraft are not refuelled in sensitive areas; spill and drip prevention measures are in place for fuel and oil pollution prevention
• Apply best practice in noise abatement measures and fit aircraft with noise prevention equipment, where available and applicable
• Provide information in advance about your sustainability actions, activity accessibility, what to
  expect, and what to bring with
• Screen participants ahead of time to make sure that the activity is well suited to their fitness & level of ability
• Obtain written confirmation, e.g., via indemnity, that participants are aware of activity risks
• Brief participants about do’s and don’ts, safety, what to expect, logistics, and rubbish collection and disposal before the activity starts
• Share information about local nature & culture, as well as social development / conservation projects that participants may want to support
• Show respect for the land, waterways, wildlife, and other users in the activity area
• Avoid flights with high environmental / social impacts risk, e.g., over breeding and feeding areas, with high bird concentrations, and at low altitude during bird migrations
• Limit the number and duration of flights over protected, culturally significant, or residential areas (especially during early / late hours) to minimise impacts on people & the planet
• Adhere to indications regarding minimum flight height above ground (minimum 300 meters / ±1,000 feet where this is silent)
• Do not land in culturally or environmentally sensitive areas, unless with permits and permissions
• Airstrips/ heli/ landing pads / similar are located far from areas where they might disturb others
• Repair and compensate for any damage caused to the activity area
• Participate in conserving activity area integrity; notify authorities of concerns (e.g., regarding airstrip / heli/ landing pad conditions) and participate in relevant rehabilitation projects