UAM.OP.VCA.125 Taxiing and ground movement

PROCEDURES FOR THE TAXIING OF VCA ON THE GROUND

(a)The IAM operator should take into account the particular operational environment at the vertiport, diversion location or VEMS operating site being used for the operation(s) when establishing procedures for taxiing on the ground.

(b)These procedures should include at least the following:

(1)instructions on the use of standard radiotelephony (RTF) phraseology;

(2)instructions on the use of lights, if applicable;

(3)measures to enhance the situational awareness, such as the use of the layout charts of a particular vertiport, diversion location or VEMS operating site as, applicable;

(4)instructions on the avoidance of actions which may create distraction from the taxiing activity.

(c)The operator’s procedures for ground taxiing without passengers on board for a purpose other than taking off should in particular ensure that the lift and thrust units of the VCA are not powered on inadvertently by the person designated in accordance with point UAM.OP.VCA.125(b)(2).

PROCEDURES FOR THE GROUND MOVEMENT OF VCA

(a)The operator’s procedures for the ground movement of VCA should take into consideration at least the following:

(1)VCA dimensions, proper movement speed and VCA turning arcs;

(2)measures to maintain overall situational awareness of the location and movement of the VCA and of other traffic at the vertiport, diversion location or VEMS operating site;

(3)measures to keep the VCA being moved within the appropriate designated areas.

(b)The operator’s procedures for the ground movement of VCA should include instructions for team members involved in the ground movement of VCA to follow and adhere to all operational and safety procedures during the VCA movement and to communicate among them to prevent accidents.

DESIGNATED PERSONS The operator should only designate a person other than a pilot for the ground taxiing of the VCA on the movement area of a vertiport, diversion location or VEMS operating site, if that person:

(a)is trained in ground taxiing of the VCA;

(b)is trained to use the radio telephone;

(c)has received instruction in respect of the layout of the vertiport, diversion location or VEMS operating site, as applicable, and the routes, signs, markings and lights thereon;

(d)has received instruction in respect of air traffic control (ATC) signals and instructions, phraseology and procedures, if applicable;

(e)can conform to the operational standards required for a safe ground taxiing at the vertiport, diversion location or VEMS operating site.

GENERAL

(a)Taxiing (in the air and on the ground) is the movement of a VCA under its own power.

(b)Air taxiing, hover taxiing and taxiing on the ground with passengers on board for the purpose of flight or after landing are considered critical phases of flight (Definition (31)). Due to the safety-critical nature of these types of taxiing, they are performed by an appropriately qualified pilot at the controls of the VCA.

(c)Taxiing on the ground without passengers on board for a purpose other than taking off, e.g. for repositioning or maintenance, is not considered a critical phase of flight. This type of taxiing may, therefore, be performed either by an appropriately qualified pilot or by personnel other than pilots, designated by the IAM operator, if appropriately trained for the task.

(d)Ground movement is the movement of a VCA with the support of external equipment or accessory that is not powered by the VCA. It is advisable that the operation of such equipment, including when automated or autonomous, is carried out by suitably trained personnel, even if that personnel only monitors the functioning of the systems.