SPA.HOFO.110 Operating procedures

RISK ASSESSMENT The operator’s risk assessment should include, but not be limited to, the following hazards:

(a)collision with offshore installations, vessels and floating structures;

(b)collision with wind turbines;

(c)collision with skysails;

(d)collision during low-level instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) operations;

(e)collision with obstacles adjacent to helidecks;

(f)collision with surface/water;

(g)IMC or night offshore approaches;

(h)loss of control during operations to small or moving offshore locations;

(i)operations to unattended helidecks; and

(j)weather and/or sea conditions that could either cause an accident or exacerbate its consequences.

REFUELLING PROCEDURE If refuelling with the rotors turning is conducted, a procedure should be established and used in accordance with point CAT.OP.MPA.200.

OPERATIONAL FLIGHT PLAN The operational flight plan should contain at least the items listed in AMC1 CAT.OP.MPA.175(a) Flight preparation.

PASSENGER BRIEFING The following aspects applicable to the helicopter used should be presented and demonstrated to the passengers by audio-visual electronic means (video, DVD or similar), or the passengers should be informed about them by a crew member prior to boarding the aircraft:

(a)the use of the life jackets and where they are stowed if not in use;

(b)the proper use of survival suits, including briefing on the need to have suits fully zipped with, if applicable, hoods and gloves on, during take-off and landing or when otherwise advised by the pilot-in-command/commander;

(c)the proper use of emergency breathing equipment;

(d)the location and operation of the emergency exits;

(e)life raft deployment and boarding;

(f)deployment of all survival equipment; and

(g)boarding and disembarkation instructions. When operating in a non-hostile environment, the operator may omit items related to equipment that is not required.

AUTOMATIC FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM (AFCS) To ensure competence in manual handling of the helicopter, the operator should provide instructions to the flight crew in the operations manual (OM) under which circumstances the helicopter may be operated in lower modes of automation. Particular emphasis should be given to flight in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and instrument approaches.

Emergency flotation systems (EFSs) cannot always be armed safely before the approach when a speed limitation needs to be complied with. In such case, the EFS should be armed as soon as safe to do so.