GOVERNMENT OF INDIA OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF CIVIL AVIATION TECHNICAL CENTRE, OPP. SAFDARJUNG AIRPORT, NEW DELHI

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1 GOVERNMENT OF INDIA OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF CIVIL AVIATION TECHNICAL CENTRE, OPP. SAFDARJUNG AIRPORT, NEW DELHI No.: AV 22014/52014-FSD Dated: 07 May, 2014 OPERATIONS CIRCULAR 01 OF 2014 Subject: Checklist for surveillance inspection of VFR and seasonal helipads 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Need for frequently used helipads was felt during Uttrakhand disaster which has increased manifold for seasonal religious pilgrimage like Amarnath, Kedarnath, Machhail, Mani Mahesh, etc. The General and State elections have also seen extensive use of helicopters being used in large numbers for electioneering and operating regularly from temporary helipads. 1.2 It is thus important to lay down various facets of citing a helipad for safe helicopter operations in the form of a Checklist to ensure easy understanding and implementation of the applicable CARs on the subject by all concerned. It is also important that State Govts. through District Administrations ensure compliance of the Checklists while citing or approving a helipad for general flying, disaster management, tourism, seasonal pilgrimage, etc. 2. GUIDELINES 2.1 All helipads used for regular/seasonal pilgrimage operations shall be inspected/audited in accordance with the Checklist contained in Appendix A. 2.2 Frequently used helipads (Public or Private) should be selected, constructed and equipped as per the Checklist at Appendix A before commencement of helicopter operations. 2.3 Helipads being used for seasonal pilgrimage operations e.g. Kedarnath, Amarnath, etc., will be checked for compliance by the Helicopter Cell, DGCA Hqrs before commencement of such operations. 1

2 2.4 Helipad owners (State Govts., private entities, operators, etc.) should forward their proposal and along with checklist compliance to the Helicopter Cell, DGCA Hqrs for consideration and acceptance. 2.5 Regional DGCA offices should compile a list of frequently used helipads under their jurisdiction and forward a copy to the Helicopter Cell, DGCA Hqrs. 2.6 List of helipads which are in complete violation of the applicable CARs be compiled by the Regional DGCA offices and forwarded to the Helicopter Cell, DGCA Hqrs along with their recommendations to decide for their disposal. 2.7 State Govts. may approach Regional DGCA offices or the Helicopter Cell, DGCA Hqrs to seek technical advice, if required, on the subject. 2.8 State Govts. should forward following information to the Helicopter Cell at least 20 days before commencement of seasonal operations: i) Helipads (location and numbers) earmarked. ii) Operators approved for the activity. iii) Duration of activity/flying required. iv) Number of helicopters planned to fly for the activity. 3. GENERAL 3.1 The aim of this Operations Circular is to facilitate the State Govt., District Administrations, helipad owners and helicopter operators (NSOPs and Private) in implementing the applicable CARs on the subject to select surface helipads for safe VFR helicopter operations and to lay down unambiguous guidelines for future accretion of public and private helipads for regular and seasonal use. (Lalit Gupta) Joint Director General for Director General of Civil Aviation 2

3 APPENDIX A CHECKLIST FOR SURVEILLANCE INSPECTION OF VFR AND SEASONAL HELIPADS NO. CONTENTS COMPLIANCE STATUS 1. Clearances/Approvals State Govt./Local Administration Ministry of Defence, if in the proximity of Defence installation Ministry of Environment if in eco-sensitive zone AAI, if in the Control Zone of an airport or in prohibited/ restricted area Local police, if State rules warrant Aviation Dept. of State Govt., if required Land owner 2. Helipad Location Coordinates Elevation Proximity to river/land slide prone area/any physical feature(s) which can affect safety of helicopter(s) Location of helipad in relation to restricted/prohibited area Effect of winds, other natural or local phenomenon (e.g. helipads at confluence of rivers in mountains/ valleys affected by wind shear) If located in Airport Control Zone: - Radial and distance from airport - Location in relation to approach & take-off paths/ funnels 3. Utilization Purpose - Shuttle service - Tourism - Private use - Election flying - Any other use Frequency of use - Regular - Seasonal (regular use for a limited period of time in a year) Number of helicopters required to operate from helipad If any facility on the helipad is being shared with other operator(s) 4. Helipad Type of helipad - Surface - Elevated - Heli-deck 3

4 NO. CONTENTS COMPLIANCE STATUS Touchdown and Lift-off Area (TLOF) - Dimensions: 1.5 x width of undercarriage of largest helicopter required to operate from the helipad - Surface (cemented, grassy, black-top, should be able to bear approx 3 x AUW of the heaviest helicopter likely to operate from the helipad) - Level surface, slope less than 2º - No loose pebbles or loose articles Final Approach and Take-off Area (FATO) - Dimensions: 1.5 x D (where D is the maximum length of helicopter with rotors running) - Surface (cemented, grassy, black-top, kutcha) - Level, slope less than 3º - No loose pebbles/articles or projections - Drainage facility - No dry grass or any combustible material which can catch fire - Should be firm to give ground cushion and bear static load of helicopter in case of forced landing Safety Area - 3m or 0.25D, whichever is more, outside FATO for VFR operations Parking a) If only one helicopter operating from the helipad: - TLOF may be the parking bay - Should have lashing and mooring facilities b) If more than one helicopter operating from the helipad: - Parking bays marked for helipad, at least 2D away from TLOF - Parking bays separated by at least 4 x Max width of largest helicopter with rotors running (to permit hover taxi and hover manoeuvres) Hover Taxiway to TLOF - Firm surface - Width: 2 x Max width of helicopter with rotors running - Suitable for emergency landing Hanger Facility (if available) - Dimensions and capability to accommodate largest helicopter(s) - Distance and connectivity with FATO and other aspects like facilities, safety issues, etc. 5. Markings As per Appendix B 4

5 NO. CONTENTS COMPLIANCE STATUS 6. Approach & Take-off Funnels Availability of two funnels, 150º apart (ideal) Alignment of funnels with prevailing wind conditions Obstacles within 245 m in the funnels from the edge of the helipad. (Obstacles should not subtend more than 8º angle for VFR operations by Class II and III helicopters or 4.5º angle for Class I helicopter operations) Availability of 10º divergence Take-off path (straight or curved), approx 1 km path required for Performance Class II and III helicopters and approx 3 kms for Class I helicopters If approach/take-off paths over hostile areas (populated/ water body, etc.) - Availability of force landing fields - Noise pollution and abatement procedures - No flying over prohibited/restricted areas 7. Survey & Data Survey report of obstacles and approach/take-off funnels, if operating every year repeatedly or if the helipad is permanent and can be used anytime for helicopter operations Suitability of helipad as per survey report for Performance Class I, II and/ or III helicopters Meteorological data of general area of operations during the period when helipad is in use: - Wind speed & direction - Temperature - Rainfall - Visibility Record of power cables, ropeways etc. erected across valleys (in mountains) 8. Activation Aids Wind Sock - Location (to be away from obstacles to give correct winds) - Number of wind socks - Height - Standard dimensions - Colour scheme (to be identifiable from the air) In case of dusty helipad surface, arrangements to keep it dust free - Water arrangements - Cow dung or similar arrangements - Any other means 5

6 NO. CONTENTS COMPLIANCE STATUS Fire Fighting (FF) Arrangements - Facilities. H-1/ H-2/ H-3 as per helicopter dimensions & AUW (for single engine, generally H-1 is sufficient, which is 500 litres water, 45 kgs of CO 2. or 23 kgs Helon or 23 kgs dry powder) - Hooks, fire beaters, buckets, etc. - Calibration/serviceability status of FF equipment - Location/accessibility of equipment - Basic training of ground crew to operate FF equipment - Tie up with local FF authorities Medical - Ambulance or stand by vehicle for ambulance duties - First aid kit - Breadth analyzer for air crew (if sorties originate from the helipad regularly) - Availability of doctor for pre-flight medical (if sorties originate from the helipad regularly) - Tie-up with local hospital(s) for any emergency Communication Aids - Ground to air (if number of helicopters operating from the helipad or from its vicinity warrant) - Walki-talkie equipment - Land to land connectivity - Fax arrangements - Internet facility - Arrangements for obtaining/passing: a) ATC clearances b) Met clearances c) Reports & returns to DGCA and other agencies Mooring for Night Parking - Arrangements - Ropes - Covers Obstacle Markings - In take-off and approach funnels with coloured flag or balloons or any other visible aid Ground Support Equipment 9. Security Arrangements for day and night security Availability of Metal Detector(s) Security for escorting passengers into helipad area and to helicopter for boarding Arrangements if the helipad is located in terrorist/naxal affected area or riot prone area, which can affect security 6

7 NO. CONTENTS COMPLIANCE STATUS 10. Refuelling Barrel or bowser (bowser refuelling preferred) Stocking - Quantity as per regulations (not more than 900 liters) - Arrangements for replenishment Availability of fuel pump and means to drive the pump Fuel testing arrangements for impurities and water content Fuel uplift records 11. Passenger Handling Passenger handling area Means to Identify passengers Passenger briefing means (recorded or physical) Weighing machine and its calibration Passenger handling arrangements to embark/disembark helicopter with rotors running Arrangement for issue of boarding card/tickets Handling of passengers with special needs 12. Availability of SOPs Take-off and landing procedures Ground and manoeuvring procedures 13. Emergency Response Plan (ERP) Availability of ERP plan ERP flow chart Display of ERP plan Telephone directory containing numbers of local administration, hospitals, fire department, DGCA Officials, etc. SAR plan Coordination with other operators (SAR and assistance to distress helicopter will take PRIORITY over all other needs and should be TIMELY) Disaster Management Plan, including aid to State Govt./ Local Administration 14. Flying Operations Procedure for RT calls on reporting points Operation by two or more helicopters simultaneously Coordination for airspace management with other helicopters - Vertical separation - Horizontal/azimuth separation Coordination with Defence/State Govt. if their helicopters are also operating in the general area of helipad Arrangements for real time reporting/receiving meteorological information 7

8 Appendix B Helicopter Identification Marking (shown with Hospital Cross and orientation with obstacle-free sector) 8

AIR SAFETY CIRCULAR 2 OF 2014

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF CIVIL AVIATION AIR SAFETY CIRCULAR 2 OF 2014 File No. AV.15011/ASC/2/2014-AS Dated 24 th March 2014 Subject: Operation of small aircraft/helicopters