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SPA.HOFO.160 Equipment requirements

ANNEX V (Part-SPA) · Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

IRImplementing rule

SPA.HOFO.160Equipment requirements

(a)The operator shall comply with the following equipment requirements:

(1)Public Address (PA) system in helicopters used for CAT and non-commercial operations with complex motor-powered helicopters (NCC):

(i)Helicopters with a maximum operational passenger seat configuration (MOPSC) of more than 9 shall be equipped with a PA system.

(ii)Helicopters with an MOPSC of 9 or less need not be equipped with a PA system if the operator can demonstrate that the pilot’s voice is understandable at all passengers’ seats in flight.

(2)Radio altimeter Helicopters shall be equipped with a radio altimeter that is capable of emitting an audio warning below a pre-set height and a visual warning at a height selectable by the pilot.

(b)Emergency exits All emergency exits, including crew emergency exits, and any door, window or other opening that is suitable for emergency egress, and the means for opening them shall be clearly marked for the guidance of occupants using them in daylight or in the dark. Such markings shall be designed to remain visible if the helicopter is capsized or the cabin is submerged.

(c)Helicopter terrain awareness warning system (HTAWS) Helicopters used in CAT operations with a maximum certificated take-off mass of more than 3 175 kg or a MOPSC of more than 9 and first issued with an individual CofA after 31 December 2018 shall be equipped with an HTAWS that meets the requirements for class A equipment as specified in an acceptable standard.

IR · SPA.HOFO.160 — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · Regulation (EU) 2016/1199 · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

GMGuidance material

GM1 SPA.HOFO.160(a)(1)Additional equipment requirements

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PUBLIC ADDRESS (PA) SYSTEM When demonstrating the performance of the PA system or that the pilot’s voice is understandable at all passengers’ seats during flight, the operator should ensure compatibility with the passengers’ use of ear defenders/ear plugs (hearing protection). The operator should only provide hearing protection that is compatible with the intelligibility of the PA system or pilot’s voice, as appropriate.

GM · GM1 SPA.HOFO.160(a)(1) — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · ED Decision 2016/022/R · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

GMGuidance material

GM1 SPA.HOFO.160(a)(2)Additional equipment requirements

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RADIO ALTIMETER For additional information, please refer to AMC1 CAT.IDE.H.145 Radio altimeters and AMC2 CAT.IDE.H.145 Radio altimeters, as well as to GM1 CAT.IDE.H.145 Radio altimeters.

GM · GM1 SPA.HOFO.160(a)(2) — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · ED Decision 2016/022/R · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

All rules in SUBPART K: HELICOPTER OFFSHORE OPERATIONS

Consolidated from the EASA Easy Access Rules (revision 27 Mar 2026, extracted 17 Aug 2026) for convenience. Not the official publication — verify against the Official Journal of the European Union and the EASA publications before operational use.

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