What constitutes an aerial work operation under part 138?

Aerial work operations, as defined under part 138, encompass a variety of specialized activities beyond just transport. Among these, external load operations (such as lifting and transporting cargo using a helicopter), dispensing operations (which might include activities like crop spraying), and the work of task specialists (who could be involved in various roles like surveying or firefighting) are all considered aerial work. This classification is intended to cover operations that are primarily conducted for specialized tasks rather than for the purpose of transporting passengers or cargo as in standard commercial operations.

By recognizing external load, dispensing, and task specialist operations as aerial work, part 138 provides a broader understanding of the kinds of commercial flying activities that fall under its regulatory framework. The other choices focus on narrow categories or specific types of operations that do not fully encompass the various activities recognized as aerial work.