Carrying pax in wildlife netting/external load ops?

[Center_Mid]

Does anyone have experience with wildlife tracking/netting/external load ops under Parts 91 and 133? Any idea if you can take non-flight crew with you (a vet or scientist)?

 

[Speed Pilot]

I know for us, when doing tracking, attaching the antennas to do tracking put us in the restricted category per the STC. So the passenger had to be required crew. We always took the biologists with us or a friend if the biologist wasn't going so that we had someone to write information down while we flew low level.

 

[MikeD]

Does anyone have experience with wildlife tracking/netting/external load ops under Parts 91 and 133? Any idea if you can take non-flight crew with you (a vet or scientist)?

Under 14 CFR 133.35(a), it states in part,:

(a) No certificate holder may allow a person to be carried during rotorcraft external-load operations unless that person—
(1) Is a flight crewmember;
(2) Is a flight crewmember trainee;
(3) Performs an essential function in connection with the external-load operation; or
(4) Is necessary to accomplish the work activity directly associated with that operation.

 

[Center_Mid]

Under 14 CFR 133.35(a), it states in part,:

(a) No certificate holder may allow a person to be carried during rotorcraft external-load operations unless that person—
(1) Is a flight crewmember;
(2) Is a flight crewmember trainee;
(3) Performs an essential function in connection with the external-load operation; or
(4) Is necessary to accomplish the work activity directly associated with that operation.

Looks like it's all about (3) or (4). Thank you.