GOVERNMENT OF INDIA CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF THE DIRECT GENERAL OF CIVIL AVIATION OPP. SAFDARJUNG AIRPT, NEW DELHI 110 003 TELEPHONE: +91-011-24635261 +91-011-24644768 FAX: +91-011-24644764 Reference: No.: Dated: AV 22024/15/2013-FSD 11 th October, 2013 OPERATIONS CIRCULAR NO. 10/2013 Subject: Recency Requirements for Exercising Privileges of Helicopter Ratings 1. Introduction The validity of licenses and ratings and requirements of renewal thereof are contained in Rule 42 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937. In order to enhance flight safety and bring uniformity in non-scheduled and General Aviation operations, including State Governments and Flying Training Institutes, it has been decided to lay down recency requirement for all PICs and Copilots operating helicopters of any AUW as per this Circular. This Operations Circular lays down the Recency Requirements for exercising the privileges of helicopter ratings for all helicopter types. 2. Prerequisites for Continued Exerciseof Privileges of Helicopter Ratings In order to continue exercising the privileges of a helicopter rating endorsed in the license, a pilot shall have recent flying experience of 03 (three) take-offs and landings on that helicopter type or on approved Full Flight Simulator (FFS) in the previous 90 days. Additionally, Instrument Rating (IR), if applicable, shall be current on the helicopter and the pilot should have successfully completed Pilot Proficiency and other Checks on the helicopter type as required under the provisions of CAR Section 7, Series B, Part XIV. 1
3. Applicability 3.1 The provisions of this Circular shall be applicable to the following: a) All pilots who need to exercise the privileges of a helicopter rating endorsed in their license but do not meet the prerequisites for continued exercise of privileges of aircraft rating as indicated in Para 2 of this Circular. b) All pilots who need to exercise the privileges of a helicopter/additional helicopter rating endorsed in the license after commencing helicopter training/full Flight Simulator (FFS) training or authorized to fly more than one type of helicopter as per CAR Section 7, Series B, Part X. c) All Pilots holding current DGCA licenses including those who exercise their privileges under Open Rating in terms of AIC 3/1985. 3.2 The provisions of this Circular are also applicable to all NSOPs, General Aviation Operators, State Govts. and Helicopter Flying Schools. 4. Pilots Flying Helicopters of AUW less than 5700 kgs Appendix A to this Circular to be referred. 5. Pilots Flying Helicopters of AUW 5700 kgs or more Appendix B to this Circular to be referred. 6. General Conditions All operators and pilots will ensure the following general conditions: a) All ground refresher training and flying checks carried out must be entered in the pilot s log book by the Check Pilot/TRI/TRE and AME (Ground refresher) and record maintained by the Operator. b) It would be operator s responsibility to ensure that the pilots flying their helicopters meet all recency requirements before flying their company helicopter(s). c) All flying training/checks (other than route checks) will be carried out by the TRI and TRE only. Route checks can be carried out by a Check Pilot. One time sanction to a company pilot for Training/Check/Test will be an exception rather than a rule. It will be granted only when no DGCA approved TRI/TRE for a particular helicopter type is available. 2
d) All operators must ensure that their DGCA approved Check Pilots, TRI and TRE are made available for Training/Checking/Testing Pilots on priority, when required. e) In case a pilot fails to display satisfactory performance during Training/ Check/Test sortie(s), the same will be reflected in the Sortie/Test report and brought to the notice of operator and Helicopter Cell/FSD, DGCA immediately for necessary action/decision. f) In case of clarification, if any, the matter will be referred to Helicopter Cell/ FSD in DGCA HQs New Delhi. g) The company s Training Manual is prepared in consonance with various CARs and Circulars covering helicopter operations, specific role, special environment/area of operations and as per company s approved minimas and training policy. h) This circular covers recency Training/Check/Test requirements for all pilots who fly one or more than one type of helicopters. Other detailed instructions for flying more than one type of helicopter are covered in CAR Section 7, Series B, Part X which supersedes AIC 2 of 2000 on the subject. 7. This Operation Circular supersedes Operations Circular 3 of 2000 and Operations Circular 2 of 2004 for Helicopter Pilot s Recency Requirements. Sd/- (Lalit Gupta) Deputy Director General for Director General of Civil Aviation. 3
Appendix A PILOTS FLYING HELICOPTERS OF AUW LESS THAN 5700KGS No. Absence Period from Flying Training Requirements/Check 1. 60 days or morebut less than 90 days (only for pilots with less than 1000hrs PIC on helicopters) a) Two pilots operation Perform one(01) sortie as a co-pilot of not less than 0:45hrs before undertaking PIC duties. b) Single Pilot Operation (SPO) Perform one(01) sortie as a co-pilot of not less than 0:45hrs before undertaking SPO. 2. 90 days or more but less than 180 days a) Ground refresher of 01:00hrs duration with type Rated Examiner (TRE)/ TypeRated Instructor (TRI)/ Check Pilot/ Chief Pilot/to cover performance andemergencies. b) Undertake three (03) take-offs and landings with a pilot current on type before flying with passengers on board. Undertake one FFS session of 0:45 hrs successfully. 3. 180 days or more but less than one year a) Ground refresher of 02:00hrs duration with TRE/TRI to cover cockpit layout, performance andemergencies. b) Undertake a Check sortie of not less than 0:45hrs to include three(03) take-offs and landings and practice/ revise emergencies with TRE/ TRI. Undertake two(02) FFS sessions of not less than 01:30hrs successfully. c) The Check sortie can be considered 4
as a Proficiency Check, if the pilot is due. d) If combined with Special VFR check, the Check sortie to be of not less than 01:00hr. e) SPO, if cleared, can be undertaken after flying 01:00hr PIC sortie with a co-pilot after the Check sortie. f) IR, if due and applicable, will not be combined with Check sortie. 4. One year or more but less than two(02) years. a) Ground refresher of 03:00hrsduration with TRE/TRI and AME to cover technical details, cockpit layout, effect of controls, performance, emergencies and amendments to Flight and Operations Manuals. b) Fly 0:45hrsdual and Skill test of not less than 0:45hrs withtre. Undertake three (03) FFS sessions of not less than 02:30 hrs successfully. c) Undertake Route check, Special VFR check and IR, as applicableas per CAR Section 7, Series B Part XIV. d) SPO, if cleared, can be undertaken after flying two sorties of 02:00hrs as PIC with a co-pilot after the Skill test. 5. Two years or more. a) Ground refresher of 05:00hrsduration with TRE/TRI andame to cover all technical details, cockpit layout, effect of controls, performance,emergencies and amendments to Flight and Operations Manuals. b) Fly 01:00hrdual (cover emergencies also) and Skill test of not less than 0:45hr with TRE. 5
Undertake Four(04) FFS sessions of not less than 03:00 hrs successfully. c) Fly a Route check of 01:00hr with a Check pilot/tri/tre. d) Undertake Special VFR check and IR, as applicable as per CAR Sec 7, Series B Part XIV. e) SPO, if cleared, can be undertaken after flying four sorties of 04:00hrs as PIC with a co-pilot after the Skill test. 6. Night flying more than 180 days but less than one year (applicable for pilots undertaking night casualty evacuation/training/regular passenger flying). a) Undertake a sortie to include three(03) take-offs and landings with TRE/TRI before flying with passengers on board. Undertake one(01) FFS sessions of not less than 0:45hrs successfully. b) Applicable for pilots current on type by day but not current for night flying. If not current by day, he/she would be required to undergorecency by day first. c) Should hold current IR on type for night casualty evacuation and passenger flying. 7. Night flying more than one year but less than two(2) years (applicable for pilots undertaking night casualty evacuation/training/regular passenger flying) a) Ground refresher of01:30hrs duration with TRE/TRI to cover night cockpit layout and night emergencies. b) Undertake a Skill test of not less than 0:45hrs to include three(03) take-offs and landings and revise/ practice emergencies with TRE. Undertake Two(02) FFS sessions of not less than 01:30hrs successfully. c) Fly 01:00hr co-pilot before flying PIC with passengers on board. 6
d) Applicable for pilots current on type by day but not current for night flying. If not current by day, he/she would be required to undergorecency by day first. e) Should hold current IR on Type fornight casualty evacuation and passenger flying. 8. Night flying two(2) years or more (applicable for pilots undertaking night casualty evacuation/training/regular passenger flying) a) Ground refresher of 02:00hrs duration with TRE/TRI to cover night cockpit layout, performance and night emergencies. b) Undertake a Skill test of not less than 01:00hr to include five(05) takeoffs and landings and revise/ practice emergencies with TRE. Undertake two(02) FFS sessions of not less than 02:00hrs successfully. c) Fly 02:00hrs co-pilot before flying PIC with passengers on board. d) Applicable for pilots current on type by day but not current for night flying. If not current by day, he/she would be required to undergorecency by day first. e) Should hold current IR on type for night casualty evacuation and passenger flying. 9. Special environment flying (off-shore, EMS, hill operations, under-slung load, banner towing etc.) more than 180 daysor more a) Operators to formulate their Company s training policy as per experience of pilots and incorporate in Company s Training Manual. It should include : Instructions as per various CARs on special operations/ environment for breaks in carrying out the flying operations. Ground refresher policy with TRE/TRI to cover technical details and emergencies during special operations/environment 7
flying. Skill test duration for the special operations before undertaking the flying operations. Policy to fly SPO, if cleared in special operations, after the Skill test. b) The pilot should be current on Type but may not have undertaken special environment flying. If not current on TYPE, he/ she would be required to carry out recency by day first. c) Skill test for two(02) special operations will not be combined together, e.g.hill flying check and under-slung load check cannot be carried out in one Skill Test. d) Irrespective of break period a Skill test of not less than 0:45hrs will be carried out if : Apilot changescompany/ operator or If he/she undertakes flying in a different area and The pilot will first familiarize with Company s SOPs and Operations Manual and undertake a Skill test of not less than 0:45hrs with TRE (in the specific role of the operator) before being cleared to undertake Special operations. e) In case the services of a pilot of another company are sought, it will be ensured that the pilot is current for the special ops/ environment in which he/ she is to fly and be familiarized with Company s SOPs and Operations Manual before commencing flying. 8
Appendix B PILOTS FLYING HELICOPTERS OF AUW 5700KGS AND ABOVE No. Absence Period From Flying Training Requirements/ Check 1. 60 days or morebut less than 90 days 2. 90 days or more but less than 180 days Perform one(01) sortie as copilot of not less than 0:45hrs before undertaking PIC duties. a) Ground refresher of 01:00hr duration with TRE/TRI/ Check Pilot/ Chief Pilot to cover performance &emergencies. b) Undertake three (03) take-offs and landings with a pilot current on type before flying with passengers on board. Carry out one FFS session of 0:45 hrs successfully. 3. 180 days or more but less than one year a) Ground refresher of 02:00hrs duration with TRE/TRI to cover cockpit layout, performance &emergencies. b) Undertake a Check sortie of not less than 0:45h to include three(03) takeoffs and landings and practice/ revise emergencies with TRE/ TRI. Undertake two(02) FFS sessions of not less than 1:30h successfully. c) Undertake one Route Check of 01:00 hr with a Check Pilot/TRI/ TRE. d) The sortie can be considered as Proficiency Check, if the Pilot is due. e) IR, if due, will not be combined with Check sortie. 4. One year or more but less than two(02) years a) Ground refresher of 03:00hrsduration with TRE/TRI and 9
AME to cover technical details, cockpit layout, effect of controls, performance, emergencies and amendments to Flight and Operations Manuals. b) Fly 0:45hr dual and 0:45hr Skill test with TRE. Undertake three(03) FFS sessions of not less than 02:30 hrs successfully. c) Undertake two(02) Route checks of 02:00hrs with a Check Pilot/TRI/ TRE. d) Undertake IR check. 5. Two years or more a) Ground refresher of 05:00hrsduration with TRE/TRI and AME to cover all technical details, cockpit layout, effect of controls, performance,emergencies and amendments to Flight and Operations Manuals. b) Fly 01:00hr Dual (cover Emergencies also) and 0:45h Skill test with TRE/TRI. Undertake four(04) FFS sessions of not less than 03:00 hrs successfully. c) Fly three(03) Route checks of 03:00hrswith a Check Pilot/TRI/TRE. d) Final release Route check of 01:00hrs with TRE. e) Undertake IR check. 6. Night flying more than 180 days but less than one year (Applicable for pilots undertaking night casualty evacuation/training/regular passenger flying) a) Undertake a sortie to include three(03) take-offs and landings with TRI/ TRE before flying with passengers on board. Undertake one(01) FFS sessions of not less than 0:45hr successfully. b) Applicable for pilots current on type 10
by day but not current for night flying. If not current by day, he/she would be required to undergo recency by day first. c) Should hold current IR on type for night casualty evacuation and passenger flying. 7. Night flying more than one year but less than two(02) years (Applicable for pilots undertaking night casualty evacuation/training/regular passenger flying) a) Ground refresher of 01:30hrs duration with TRE/TRI to cover night cockpit layout and night emergencies. b) Undertake a Skill test of 0:45hr to include three(03) take-offs and landings and revise/practice emergencies with TRE. Undertake two(02) FFS sessions of not less than 01:30hrs successfully. c) Fly 01:00hr co-pilot before flying PIC with passengers on board. d) Applicable for pilots current on type by day but not current for night flying. If not current by day, he/she would be required to undergorecency by day first. e) Should hold current IR on type for night casualty evacuation and passenger flying. 8. Night flying, two(02) years or more (Applicable for pilots undertaking night casualty evacuation/training/regular passenger flying) a) Ground refresher of 02:00hrs duration with TRE/TRI to cover night cockpit layout, performance and night emergencies. b) Undertake a Skill test of 01:00hr to include five(05) take-offs and landings and revise/practice emergencies with TRE. Undertake two(02) FFS sessions of not less than 02:00hrs successfully. c) Fly 02:00hrsas co-pilot before flying 11
PIC with passengers on board. d) Applicable for pilots current on type by day but not current for night flying. If not current by day, he/she would be required to undergo recency by day first. e) Should hold current IR on type for night casualty evacuation and passenger flying. 9. Special environment flying (Off-shore, EMS, hill Operations, under-slung load, etc.) More than 180 days or more Formulate Company Policy in the Training Manual as per Para 7 of Appendix A (pilots flying helicopters of AUW less than 5700 kgs) 12