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:
1.
Checklist for surveillance inspection of VFR and seasonal helipads
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.
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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)
ii)
iii)
iv)
3.
Helipads (location and numbers) earmarked.
Operators approved for the activity.
Duration of activity/flying required.
Number of helicopters planned to fly for the activity.
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
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APPENDIX ‘A’
CHECKLIST FOR SURVEILLANCE INSPECTION OF VFR AND SEASONAL HELIPADS
NO.
1.
2.
3.
4.
CONTENTS
COMPLIANCE STATUS
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
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
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)
Helipad
• Type of helipad
- Surface
- Elevated
- Heli-deck
3
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
5.
• 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.
Markings
• As per Appendix ‘B’
4
NO.
6.
7.
CONTENTS
COMPLIANCE STATUS
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
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:
-
8.
Wind speed & direction
Temperature
Rainfall
Visibility
• Record of power cables, ropeways etc. erected across
valleys (in mountains)
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
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 CO2. 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
9.
• Ground Support Equipment
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
NO.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
CONTENTS
COMPLIANCE STATUS
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
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
Availability of SOPs
• Take-off and landing procedures
• Ground and manoeuvring procedures
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
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
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Appendix ‘B’
Helicopter Identification Marking (shown with Hospital
orientation with obstacle-free sector)
Cross and
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