ORO.FC.105 Designation as pilot-in-command/commander

GENERAL The operator should comply with the national training and checking requirements published in the aeronautical information publication (AIP). ROUTE, AREA AND AERODROME KNOWLEDGE FOR COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS WITH AEROPLANES AND HELICOPTERS The experience of the route or area to be flown and of the aerodrome facilities and procedures to be used should include the following:

(a)Area and route knowledge

(1)An objective of the area and route training should be to ensure that the pilot has knowledge of:

(i)terrain and minimum safe altitudes;

(ii)seasonal meteorological conditions;

(iii)meteorological, communication and air traffic facilities, services and procedures;

(iv)search and rescue procedures where available; and

(v)navigational facilities associated with the area or route along which the flight is to take place.

(2)Another objective of the area and route training should be to ensure that the pilots are aware of the most significant underlying risks and threats of a route or an area that could affect their operations following the ‘threat and error management model’ or an alternative risk model agreed with the authority.

(3)The area and route familiarisation training should:

(i)be based on an assessment by the operator of the underlying risks and threats of a route or an area using:

(A)internal evidence;

(B)external evidence;

(ii)be conducted:

(A)as an initial training before operating to a route and area;

(B)as a refresher training after not operating to a route and area for 12 months.

(4)The area and route familiarisation training should be delivered using different methods and tools.

(i)The selection of the method and tools should result from a combination of the learning objectives and the type of risk or threat that needs to be trained.

(ii)The selection of the appropriate method and tool should be driven by the desired outcome in terms of adequate knowledge and awareness.

(iii)The methods and tools employed should include one or more of the following: Training in a flight simulation training device (FSTD), computer-based training, familiarisation flight as a pilot in-command/commander or co-pilot under supervision or an observer, video training, virtual reality training, familiarisation by self-briefing with route documentation and audio training.

(b)Aerodrome knowledge

(1)Aerodrome familiarisation training should include knowledge of obstructions, physical layout, lighting, approach aids and arrival, departure, holding and instrument approach procedures, applicable operating minima and ground movement considerations.

(2)The operations manual should describe the method of categorisation of aerodromes and, in the case of CAT operations, provide a list of those aerodromes categorised as B or C.

(3)All aerodromes to which an operator operates should be categorised in one of these three categories:

(i)category A — an aerodrome that meets all the following conditions:

(A)a straight-in 3D instrument approach procedure with a glide path angle of not more than 3.5 degrees to each runway expected to be used for landing;

(B)at least one runway with no performance-limited procedure for take-off and/or landing, such as no requirement to follow a contingency procedure for obstacle clearance in the event of an engine failure on take-off from any runway expected to be used for departure; and

(C)night operations capability.

(ii)category B — an aerodrome that does not meet the category A conditions or which requires extra considerations due to:

(A)non-standard approach aids and/or approach patterns, such as restrictions on the availability of straight-in instrument approach procedures;

(B)unusual local weather conditions, such as environmental features that can give rise to turbulence, windshear or unusual wind conditions;

(C)unusual characteristics or performance limitations, such as unusual runway characteristics in length, width, slope, markings or lighting that present an atypical visual perspective on approach;

(D)any other relevant considerations, including obstructions, physical layout, lighting, etc., such as restrictions on circling in certain sectors due to obstacles in the circling area;

(E)training or flight crew experience requirements stipulated by the competent authority responsible for the aerodrome that do not include instruction in an FSTD or visiting the aerodrome.

(iii)category C — an aerodrome:

(A)that requires additional considerations to those of a category B aerodrome; or

(B)for which flight crew experience or qualification requirements stipulated by the competent authority responsible for the aerodrome include instruction in an FSTD or visiting the aerodrome. Offshore installations may be categorised as category B or C aerodromes, taking into account the limitations determined in accordance with AMC1 SPA.HOFO.115 ‘Use of offshore locations’.

(c)Prior to operating to a category B aerodrome (planned destination or required alternate), the pilot-in-command/commander should:

(1)comply with any requirements stipulated by the competent authority responsible for the aerodrome; and

(2)be briefed, or self-brief by means of programmed instruction, about the additional considerations applicable to operations to that category B aerodrome. The completion of the briefing should be recorded. This recording may be accomplished after completion or confirmed by the pilot-in-command/commander before departure on a flight involving category B aerodrome(s) as destination or alternate aerodromes.

(d)Prior to operating to a category C aerodrome (planned destination or required alternate), the pilot-in-command/commander should:

(1)comply with any requirements stipulated by the competent authority responsible for the aerodrome; and

(2)be briefed or self-brief by means of programmed instruction, about the additional considerations applicable to operations to that category C aerodrome; and

(3)visit the aerodrome as an observer and/or undertake instruction in a suitable FSTD. The observer should occupy an observer’s seat where installed. If an observer’s seat is not available and cannot be installed, the pilot-in-command/commander may occupy a pilot seat to conduct the aerodrome visit with a suitably qualified commander nominated by the category C aerodrome operator. The completion of the briefing, visit and/or instruction should be recorded.

GENERAL The operator should comply with the national training and checking requirements published in the AIP. ROUTE, AREA AND AERODROME KNOWLEDGE FOR NON-COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS WITH AEROPLANES AND HELICOPTERS The knowledge of the route and area to be flown and of the aerodrome facilities and procedures to be used should include the following:

(a)Area and route knowledge

(1)The objective of the area and route familiarisation should be to ensure that the pilot has knowledge of:

(i)terrain and minimum safe altitudes;

(ii)seasonal meteorological conditions;

(iii)meteorological, communication and air traffic facilities, services and procedures;

(iv)search and rescue procedures where available; and

(v)navigational facilities associated with the area or route along which the flight is to take place.

(2)The operations manual should describe appropriate methods of familiarisation depending on the complexity of the area or route and the experience of the pilotincommand.

(b)Aerodrome knowledge

(1)Aerodrome familiarisation should include knowledge of obstructions, physical layout, lighting, approach aids and arrival, departure, holding and instrument approach procedures, applicable operating minima and ground movement considerations.

(2)The operator’s manual should describe appropriate methods of familiarisation depending on the complexity of the aerodrome.

(3)If the competent authority of the aerodrome or area requires specific training or familiarisation, the operator should maintain all records of this training or familiarisation in accordance with ORO.GEN.220.

(4)For offshore installations, the limitations determined in accordance with AMC1 SPA.HOFO.115 should be taken into account.

GENERAL The operator should comply with the national training and checking requirements published in the AIP.

ROUTE, AREA AND VERTIPORT KNOWLEDGE FOR IAM OPERATIONS Knowledge of the area and route to be flown, and of the vertiport facilities and procedures to be used, should include the following:

(a)Area and route knowledge

(1)Area and route familiarisation training should ensure that the pilot has knowledge of:

(i)the terrain and the minimum applicable altitudes/heights;

(ii)the seasonal meteorological conditions;

(iii)the meteorological, communication and air traffic facilities, services and procedures;

(iv)the search and rescue procedures, where available; and

(v)the navigational facilities associated with the route along which the flight is to take place, as applicable.

(2)Area and route familiarisation training should also ensure that the pilot is aware of the most significant underlying risks and threats of a route that could affect IAM operations following the ‘threat and error management model’ or an alternative risk management model agreed with the competent authority.

(3)The area and route familiarisation training should be delivered:

(i)as initial training before operating to a route and area;

(ii)as refresher training after not having operated to a route and area for 12 months.

(4)The OM should describe appropriate methods and tools for area and route familiarisation depending on the complexity of the route, the type of risk or threat that training needs to address, and the experience of the pilot-in-command. Methods of familiarisation may include briefing or self-briefing by means of programmed instruction, instruction in a suitable FSTD or other means.

(b)Vertiport knowledge

(1)Vertiport familiarisation training should include knowledge of obstacle limitation surfaces, physical layout, lighting, take-off and landing profiles, hover, applicable visibility and distance from cloud minima, unusual local weather conditions, as well as taxiing and ground movement.

(2)The OM should describe appropriate methods of familiarisation depending on the complexity of the vertiport. Methods of familiarisation may include briefing or self-briefing by means of programmed instruction, instruction in a suitable FSTD or other means.

(3)If the competent authority of the vertiport requires specific training or familiarisation, the operator should maintain all records of this training or familiarisation in accordance with point ORO.GEN.220.

(4)Where floating installations/surfaces are used, the limitations determined in accordance with the approval for operations on floating surfaces should be taken into account.

(c)Diversion location knowledge

(1)The OM should describe appropriate methods of familiarisation with diversion locations depending on their complexity and/or risks associated with landing at diversion locations. Methods of familiarisation may include briefing or self-briefing by means of programmed instruction, instruction in a suitable FSTD or other means.

(2)Diversion location familiarisation should include knowledge of the overall dimensions, the location and height of relevant obstacles, the approach and take-off flight paths, surface condition, and means indicating wind speed and direction.

ENVIRONMENTAL KNOWLEDGE RELATED TO THE PREVENTION OF AEROPLANE UPSETS The knowledge should include understanding of:

(a)the relevant environmental hazards, such as: Clear Air Turbulence (CAT), Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), thunderstorms, microbursts, wind shear, icing, mountain waves, wake turbulence, and temperature changes at high altitude;

(b)the evaluation and management of the associated risks of the relevant hazards in (a); and

(c)the available mitigating procedures for the relevant hazards in (a) related to the specific route, route area, or aerodrome used by the operator.

AERODROME KNOWLEDGE FOR NON-COMMERCIAL OPERATION WITH AEROPLANES AND HELICOPTERS The operator may, based on complexity, categorise all aerodromes in one of the following three categories:

(a)category A — an aerodrome that meets all the following conditions:

(1)an approved instrument approach procedure;

(2)at least one runway with no performance-limited procedure for take-off and/or landing;

(3)published circling minima not higher than 1 000 ft above aerodrome level; and

(4)night operations capability.

(b)category B — an aerodrome that does not meet the category A conditions or which requires extra considerations due to:

(1)non-standard approach aids and/or approach patterns;

(2)unusual local weather conditions;

(3)unusual characteristics or performance limitations;

(4)any other relevant considerations, including obstacles, physical layout, lighting, etc.

(c)category C — an aerodrome that requires additional considerations to those of a category B aerodrome. Offshore installations may be categorised as category B or C aerodromes, taking into account the limitations determined in accordance with AMC1 SPA.HOFO.115 ‘Use of offshore locations’.

OPERATOR’S COMMAND COURSE FOR NON-COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS WITH COMPLEX MOTOR-POWERED AIRCRAFT (NCC)

(a)For aeroplane and helicopter operations, when upgrading from co-pilot to pilot-in-command, the flight crew member should be trained at least on the following elements, as part of the command course:

(1)command responsibilities training;

(2)demonstration of competence operating as pilot-in-command.

(b)Demonstration of competence operating as pilot-in-command may be achieved by:

(1)completing a proficiency check in the role of pilot-in-command; or

(2)operating at least one flight under the supervision and to the satisfaction of a suitably qualified pilot-in-command nominated by the operator.

ROUTE/AREA AND AERODROME OR DIVERSION LOCATION KNOWLEDGE RECENCY

(a)The 12-month period of validity of the aerodrome knowledge should be counted from the last day of the month:

(1)when the initial familiarisation training was undertaken; or

(2)of the latest operation on the route or area to be flown and of the aerodromes, facilities and procedures to be used.

(b)The 36-month period of validity of the route or area knowledge or diversion location knowledge should be counted from the last day of the month:

(1)when the initial familiarisation training was undertaken;

(2)when the latest operation on the route or area was flown; or

(3)when the latest operation involving a diversion location was flown.

ROUTE/AREA AND AERODROME RECENCY — PERFORMANCE CLASS B AEROPLANES OPERATED UNDER VFR BY NIGHT OR IFR IN CAT OPERATIONS AND COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS OTHER THAN CAT In the case of CAT operations with performance class B aeroplanes operating under visual flight rules (VFR) by night or instrument flight rules (IFR), or commercial operations other than CAT, the knowledge should be maintained as follows:

(a)except for operations to the most demanding aerodromes, by completion of at least 10 flight sectors within the area of operation during the preceding 12 months in addition to any required self-briefing;

(b)operations to the most demanding aerodromes may be performed only if:

(1)the pilot-in-command/commander has been qualified at the aerodrome within the preceding 36 months by a visit as an operating flight crew member or as an observer;

(2)the approach is performed in visual meteorological conditions (VMC) from the applicable minimum sector altitude; and

(3)an adequate self-briefing has been made prior to the flight.

AREA FAMILIARISATION TRAINING THAT INCLUDES ROUTE /AERODROME FAMILIARISATION — HELICOPTERS

(a)The area familiarisation training for day VFR should ensure that a pilot is capable of selecting aerodromes and operating sites from the ground and from the air, and of establishing a safe flight path for landing and take-off.

AREA FAMILIARISATION TRAINING

(b)The following areas and conditions should require specific area familiarisation training:

(1)mountain environment;

(2)offshore environment;

(3)complex airspace;

(4)areas that are regularly covered by snow and are prone to white-out phenomena during the cruise or landing phase; and

(5)other challenging areas or conditions.

PERFORMANCE CLASS B AEROPLANES OPERATED UNDER VFR BY DAY IN CAT OPERATIONS For CAT operations under VFR by day with performance class B aeroplanes, the operator should take account of any requirement that might be stipulated in specific cases by the State of the aerodrome.