SPA.NVIS.130 Crew requirements for NVIS operations

UNDERLYING ACTIVITY Examples of an underlying activity are:

(a)commercial air transport (CAT);

(b)helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS); and

(c)helicopter hoist operation (HHO).

OPERATIONAL APPROVAL

(a)When determining the composition of the minimum crew, the competent authority should take account of the type of operation that is to be conducted. The minimum crew should be part of the operational approval.

(b)If the operational use of NVIS is limited to the en-route phase of a CAT flight, a single-pilot operation may be approved.

(c)Where operations to/from a HEMS operating site are to be conducted, a crew of at least one pilot and one NVIS technical crew member would be necessary (this may be the suitably qualified HEMS technical crew member).

(d)A similar assessment may be made for night HHO, when operating to unprepared sites.

TRAINING AND CHECKING SYLLABUS

(a)The flight crew training syllabus should include the following items:

(1)NVIS working principles, eye physiology, vision at night, limitations and techniques to overcome these limitations;

(2)preparation and testing of NVIS equipment;

(3)preparation of the helicopter for NVIS operations;

(4)normal and emergency procedures including all NVIS failure modes;

(5)maintenance of unaided night flying;

(6)crew coordination concept specific to NVIS operations;

(7)practice of the transition to and from NVG procedures;

(8)awareness of specific dangers relating to the operating environment; and

(9)risk analysis, mitigation and management.

(b)The flight crew checking syllabus should include:

(1)night proficiency checks, including emergency procedures to be used on NVIS operations; and

(2)line checks with special emphasis on the following:

(i)local area meteorology;

(ii)NVIS flight planning;

(iii)NVIS in-flight procedures;

(iv)transitions to and from night vision goggles (NVG);

(v)normal NVIS procedures; and

(vi)crew coordination specific to NVIS operations.

(c)Whenever the crew is required to also consist of an NVIS technical crew member, he/she should be trained and checked in the following items:

(1)NVIS working principles, eye physiology, vision at night, limitations, and techniques to overcome these limitations;

(2)duties in the NVIS role, with and without NVGs;

(3)the NVIS installation;

(4)operation and use of the NVIS equipment;

(5)preparing the helicopter and specialist equipment for NVIS operations;

(6)normal and emergency procedures;

(7)crew coordination concepts specific to NVIS operations;

(8)awareness of specific dangers relating to the operating environment; and

(9)risk analysis, mitigation and management.

CHECKING OF NVIS CREW MEMBERS

(a)The operator proficiency check and line check required in SPA.NVIS.130(f) should have a validity of 12 calendar months. The validity period should be counted from the end of the month when the training was taken. When the check is undertaken within the last 3 months of the validity period, the new validity period should be counted from the previous expiry date.

(b)These checks may be combined with those checks required for the underlying activity.

CREW TRAINING AND CHECKING — NVIS OPERATIONS UNDER IFR

(a)The minimum crew should be two pilots, or one pilot and one NVIS technical crew member.

(b)The crew training and experience should ensure:

(1)efficient scanning of the instruments with the night-vision goggles (NVGs) flipped up or down as defined in the standard operating procedures (SOPs);

(2)proficiency during the transition phase;

(3)proficient use of the NVGs on the visual segments of the flight during which they are expected to be used;

(4)the continuity of a crew concept.

(c)A crew member that is involved in NVIS operations under IFR should undergo initial and recurrent training using a suitable FSTD as part of the normal crew complement. The training should cover at least the following items under a variety of weather conditions and cultural lighting:

(1)transition from instrument to visual flight during the final approach;

(2)transition from visual to instrument flight on departure.

(d)In addition to (b) and (c), a technical crew member that is involved in NVIS operations under IFR should be trained to perform navigation and monitoring functions under IFR, as described under AMC3 SPA.NVIS.130(f). The training should include all of the following on the given helicopter type:

(1)initial and recurrent general training;

(2)initial and recurrent monitoring training;

(3)initial and recurrent navigation training;

(4)initial and recurrent aircraft/FSTD training focusing on crew cooperation with the pilot;

(5)LIFUS.

(e)An FSTD suitable for the NVIS training described in (c) should meet all of the following criteria:

(1)be a helicopter FSTD;

(2)have a NVIS-compatible cockpit;

(3)have a night visual system that can be representative of different moon phases and allows external visual cues to be adjusted to the point where they are no longer visible without NVGs and remain visible with NVGs, when simulating night conditions;

(4)The night visual system should be able to support atmospheric conditions such as:

(i)more than one cloud layer or one cloud layer with a geographically variable cloud base;

(ii)variable visibility; and

(iii)snow, light rain and heavy rain with and without NVGs;

(5)be of a helicopter type on which the crew member is current unless the crew member receives additional training for the use of the FSTD.

(f)The person conducting the training defined in (c) above should be a NVIS instructor and should hold an instrument rating in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011.

(g)The training should have a validity of 12 calendar months. The validity period should be counted from the end of the month when the training was taken. When the training is undertaken within the last 3 months of the validity period, the new validity period should be counted from the previous expiry date.

(h)The flight crew operator proficiency check should include one transition from instrument to visual flight during the final approach, using NVIS. This manoeuvre may be combined with a 2D or 3D approach to minima.

(i)NVIS operations under IFR on more than one type or variant with different levels of automation

(1)The crew member should be provided with differences training or familiarisation.

(2)The flight crew member should perform the manoeuvre defined in (h) each time on a different type or variant.

CREW TRAINING AND CHECKING — TECHNICAL CREW MEMBER TRAINING FOR OPERATIONS UNDER IFR — INITIAL AND RECURRENT GENERAL TRAINING AND CHECKING

(a)The technical crew member initial and recurrent training and checking syllabus should include the following items:

(1)duties in the technical crew member role;

(2)map reading, including:

(i)ability to keep track with helicopter position on map;

(ii)ability to detect conflicting terrain/obstacles on a given route, and at a given altitude;

(iii)use of moving maps, as required;

(3)basic understanding of the helicopter type in terms of location and design of normal and emergency systems and equipment, including all helicopter lights and operation of doors, and including knowledge of helicopter systems and understanding of the terminology used in checklists;

(4)the dangers of rotor-running helicopters;

(5)outside lookout during the flight;

(6)crew coordination with in-flight call-outs, with emphasis on crew coordination regarding the tasks of the technical crew member, including checklist initiation, interruptions and termination;

(7)warnings, and use of normal, abnormal and emergency checklists assisting the pilot as required;

(8)the use of the helicopter intercommunications system;

(9)basic helicopter performance principles, including the definitions of Category A certification, performance class 1 and performance class 2;

(10)operational control and supervision;

(11)meteorology;

(12)applicable parts of SERA, including instrument flight rules (IFR), as relevant to the tasks of the technical crew member;

(13)mission planning;

(14)early identification of pilot incapacitation;

(15)debriefing; and

(16)PBN, as necessary.

INITIAL AND RECURRENT NAVIGATION TRAINING AND CHECKING

(b)The initial and recurrent navigation training and checking syllabus should include the following items:

(1)aeronautical map reading (additional training to (a)(4) above), navigation principles;

(2)navigation aid principles and use;

(3)crew coordination with in-flight call-outs, with emphasis on navigation issues;

(4)applicable parts of SERA; and

(5)airspace, restricted areas, and noise-abatement procedures.

INITIAL AND RECURRENT MONITORING TRAINING AND CHECKING

(c)The initial and recurrent monitoring training and checking syllabus should include the following items:

(1)basic understanding of the helicopter type, including knowledge of any limitations to the parameters the crew member is tasked to monitor, and knowledge of the basic principles of flight;

(2)instrument reading;

(3)inside monitoring during the flight;

(i)aircraft state/cockpit cross-check;

(ii)automation philosophy and autopilot status monitoring, as relevant;

(iii)FMS, as relevant;

(4)crew coordination with in-flight call-outs, with emphasis on call-outs and actions resulting from the monitoring process; and

(5)flight path monitoring.

INITIAL AIRCRAFT/FSTD TRAINING

(d)The technical crew member training syllabus should include aircraft/FSTD training focusing on crew cooperation with the pilot.

(1)The initial training should include at least 4 hours instruction dedicated to crew cooperation unless:

(i)the technical crew member has undergone this training under another operator; or

(ii)the technical crew member has performed at least 50 missions in assisting the pilot from the front seat as a technical crew member.

(2)The training described in (1) should be organised with a crew composition of one pilot and one technical crew member.

(3)The training described in (1) should be supervised by a pilot with a minimum experience of 500 hours in either multi-pilot operations or single-pilot operations with a technical crew member assisting from the front seat, or a combination of these.

(4)The training may be combined with the LIFUS.

LINE FLYING UNDER SUPERVISION (LIFUS)

(e)LIFUS

(1)LIFUS should take place during the operator’s conversion course.

(2)Line flights under supervision provide the opportunity for a technical crew member to practise the procedures and techniques he or she should be familiar with, regarding ground and flight operations, including any elements that are specific to a particular helicopter type. Upon completion of the LIFUS, the technical crew member should be able to safely conduct the flight operational duties assigned to him or her according to the procedures laid down in the operator’s operations manual.

(3)LIFUS should be conducted by a suitably qualified technical crew member or commander nominated by the operator.

(4)LIFUS should include a minimum of five sectors under IFR.

RECURRENT AIRCRAFT/FSTD TRAINING

(f)Recurrent helicopter/FSTD training

(1)The recurrent training should focus on crew cooperation and contain a minimum of 2 hours of flight.

(2)The training described in (1) should take place in the same conditions as the initial training in (d) above.

TRAINING GUIDELINES AND CONSIDERATIONS

(a)Purpose The purpose of this GM is to recommend the minimum training guidelines and any associated considerations necessary for the safe operation of a helicopter while operating with night vision imaging systems (NVISs). To provide an appropriate level of safety, training procedures should accommodate the capabilities and limitations of the NVIS and associated systems as well as the restraints of the operational environment.

(b)Assumptions The following assumptions were used in the creation of this material:

(1)Most civilian operators may not have the benefit of formal NVIS training, similar to that offered by the military. Therefore, the stated considerations are predicated on that individual who has no prior knowledge of NVIS or how to use them in flight. The degree to which other applicants who have had previous formal training should be exempted from this training will be dependent on their prior NVIS experience.

(2)While NVIS are principally an aid to flying under VFR at night, the two- dimensional nature of the NVG image necessitates frequent reference to the flight instruments for spatial and situational awareness information. The reduction of peripheral vision and increased reliance on focal vision exacerbates this requirement to monitor flight instruments. Therefore, any basic NVIS training syllabus should include some instruction on basic instrument flight.

(c)Two-tiered approach: basic and advance training To be effective, the NVIS training philosophy would be based on a two-tiered approach: basic and advanced NVIS training. The basic NVIS training would serve as the baseline standard for all individuals seeking an NVIS endorsement. The content of this initial training would not be dependent on any operational requirements. The training required for any individual pilot should take into account the previous NVIS flight experience. The advanced training would build on the basic training by focusing on developing specialised skills required to operate a helicopter during NVIS operations in a particular operational environment. Furthermore, while there is a need to stipulate minimum flight hour requirements for an NVIS endorsement, the training should also be event-based. This necessitates that operators be exposed to all of the relevant aspects, or events, of NVIS flight in addition to acquiring a minimum number of flight hours. NVIS training should include flight in a variety of actual ambient light and weather conditions.

(d)Training requirements

(1)Flight crew ground training The ground training necessary to initially qualify a pilot to act as the pilot of a helicopter using NVGs should include at least the following subjects:

(i)applicable aviation regulations that relate to NVIS limitations and flight operations;

(ii)aero-medical factors relating to the use of NVGs to include how to protect night vision, how the eyes adapt to operate at night, self-imposed stresses that affect night vision, effects of lighting (internal and external) on night vision, cues utilized to estimate distance and depth perception at night, and visual illusions;

(iii)NVG performance and scene interpretation;

(iv)normal, abnormal, and emergency operations of NVGs; and

(v)NVIS operations flight planning to include night terrain interpretation and factors affecting terrain interpretation. The ground training should be the same for flight crew and crew members other than flight crew. An example of a ground training syllabus is presented in Table 1 of GM2 SPA.NVIS.130(f).

(2)Flight crew flight training The flight training necessary to initially qualify a pilot to act as the pilot of a helicopter using NVGs may be performed in a helicopter or FSTD approved for the purpose, and should include at least the following subjects:

(i)preparation and use of internal and external helicopter lighting systems for NVIS operations;

(ii)pre-flight preparation of NVGs for NVIS operations;

(iii)proper piloting techniques (during normal, abnormal, and emergency helicopter operations) when using NVGs during the take-off, climb, en-route, descent, and landing phases of flight that includes unaided flight and aided flight; and

(iv)normal, abnormal, and emergency operations of the NVIS during flight. Crew members other than flight crew should be involved in relevant parts of the flight training. An example of a flight training syllabus is presented in Table 1 of GM3 SPA.NVIS.130(f).

(3)Training crew members other than flight crew Crew members other than flight crew (including the technical crew member) should be trained to operate around helicopters employing NVIS. These individuals should complete all phases of NVIS ground training that is given to flight crew. Due to the importance of crew coordination, it is imperative that all crew members are familiar with all aspects of NVIS flight. Furthermore, these crew members may have task qualifications specific to their position in the helicopter or areas of responsibility. To this end, they should demonstrate competency in those areas, both on the ground and in flight.

(4)Ground personnel training Non-flying personnel who support NVIS operations should also receive adequate training in their areas of expertise. The purpose is to ensure, for example, that correct light discipline is used when helicopters are landing in a remote area.

(5)Instructor qualifications An NVIS flight instructor should at least have the following licences and qualifications:

(i)at least flight instructor (FI(H)) or type rating instructor (TRI(H)) with the applicable type rating on which NVIS training will be given; and

(ii)logged at least 100 NVIS flights or 30 hours’ flight time under NVIS as pilotincommand/commander.

(6)NVIS equipment minimum requirements (training) While minimum equipment lists and standard NVIS equipment requirements may be stipulated elsewhere, the following procedures and minimum equipment requirements should also be considered:

(i)NVIS: the following is recommended for minimum NVIS equipment and procedural requirements:

(A)back-up power supply;

(B)NVIS adjustment kit or eye lane;

(C)use of helmet with the appropriate NVG attachment; and

(D)both the instructor and student should wear the same NVG type, generation and model.

(ii)Helicopter NVIS compatible lighting, flight instruments and equipment: given the limited peripheral vision cues and the need to enhance situational awareness, the following is recommended for minimum compatible lighting requirements:

(A)NVIS compatible instrument panel flood lighting that can illuminate all essential flight instruments;

(B)NVIS compatible hand-held utility lights;

(C)portable NVIS compatible flashlight;

(D)a means for removing or extinguishing internal NVIS non-compatible lights;

(E)NVIS pre-flight briefing/checklist (an example of an NVIS pre-flight briefing/checklist is in Table 1 of GM4 SPA.NVIS.130(f));

(F)training references: a number of training references are available, some of which are listed below: DO 295 US CONOPS civil operator training guidelines for integrated NVIS equipment United States Marine Corp MAWTS-1 Night Vision Device (NVD) Manual; U.S. Army Night Flight (TC 1-204); U.S. Army NVIS Operations, Exportable Training Package; U.S. Army TM 11-5855-263-10; Air Force TO 12S10-2AVS6-1; Navy NAVAIR 16-35AVS-7; and U.S. Border Patrol, Helicopter NVIS Ground and Flight Training Syllabus. There may also be further documents available from European civil or military sources.

INSTRUCTION – GROUND TRAINING AREAS OF INSTRUCTION A detailed example of possible subjects to be instructed in an NVIS ground instruction is included below. (The exact details may not always be applicable, e.g. due to goggle configuration differences.) Table 1 Ground training areas of instruction

FLIGHT TRAINING – AREAS OF INSTRUCTION A detailed example of possible subjects to be instructed in a NVIS flight instruction is included below. Table 1 Flight training areas of instruction

NVIS PRE-FLIGHT BRIEFING/CHECKLIST A detailed example of a pre-flight briefing/checklist is included below. Table 1 NVIS pre-flight briefing/checklist

CREW TRAINING AND CHECKING — SUITABLE FSTD — NVIS OPERATIONS UNDER IFR The FSTD may be a generic FSTD and may have no motion system.