Agricultural Support Work

Carriage

Weight and balance loading requirements are specified in the aircraft Flight Manual. The instructions in the Flight Manual are to be carried out by the pilot in loading the aircraft.

Calculations of CG position under various load conditions are shown in Appendix I, page 14A for the Robinson R22, and page 14B for the Robinson R44.

If the calculated AUW exceeds the maximum allowed, fuel or applicable products shall be offloaded to bring the AUW within published limits.

Departures and landings shall not be made unless a power check has been completed confirming that the helicopter can hover at the lift-off site and over the landing site.

Cargo

Cargo shall be carried on a seat, cargo rack, cargo or baggage compartment if so equipped, or sling, properly secured by a restraining device that ensures that the cargo is unable to move during the flight in normal and anticipated flight conditions. The cargo shall also be packaged and covered in a manner that avoids injury to the pilot and passengers.

Dangerous Goods 

This section details the policies adopted by the Company to ensure that dangerous goods are carried securely and properly.  Only the PIC and passengers associated with the dangerous goods may be carried on board the aircraft together.

Dangerous Goods Certificate

Any company pilot who is required to fly operations involving dangerous goods shall have completed a Dangerous Goods course applicable to the types of dangerous goods typically carried by HeliOps Southland Ltd.  A certificate completed by a qualified Dangerous Goods Inspector or Hazardous Substances Consultant shall be entered in the pilot’s personal file. 

Dangerous Goods Carried

HeliOps does not normally accept or carry dangerous goods other than those carried by passengers for their recreational use, e.g. passengers intending to stay in the bush. In accordance with Part 92.11(d), HeliOps is not required to comply with Part 92 other than 92.11(d) sub paras I -7. Refer to Appendix 1, pages 5A and B for detailed instructions

Flammable liquids in serviceable containers, shall be carried in such a manner that the containers remain securely fastened and unlikely to suffer leakage and/or damage. Goods carried shall be stowed securely. 

In accordance with Part 133.65, HeliOps pilots may carry dangerous goods (other than those described above) as an external slingload without complying with Part 92 subject to the following conditions:

Explosive substances (class 1) must not be carried except with the approval from the Chief Inspector, and other dangerous goods (classes 2 -9) shall not be carried if they are forbidden by the Technical Instructions.

The goods must be in a proper condition for the carriage by air, and stowed, secured, segregated, and packed to prevent leakage or damage in flight.

The lifting equipment, i.e. hook, attachments and strops shall be serviceable, and the release mechanism shall be tested for correct operation before each flight.

The route followed by the helicopter shall be clear of any city, town, populous area, or settlement.

Declaration, Inspection and Documentation of Dangerous Goods

Passengers are responsible for declaring the dangerous goods contents in their packs or on their person in a declaration form shown in Appendix 1, page 5A. This completed form shall be carried in the aircraft during the flight.

The Pilot or trained ground staff shall:

• identify the goods; and

• check the goods are in a proper condition for carriage by air, and

• give assistance if needed to ensure that passengers have properly secured all dangerous goods that they are carrying.

The pilot-in-command shall enter the main details of dangerous goods, carried during the flight, in the Helicopter Flight Log/Flight Following form.

Passengers - Ag support operations

The duty pilot and/or trained ground staff are responsible for the control and briefing of a passenger. 

Passenger and Crew Seat Restraint

The passenger/s shall wear the approved seat harness at all times (shoulder harness or diagonal shoulder belt for crew members), and shall occupy their own seat.  

Carry-on luggage shall be stowed and secured in such a way that it poses no risk of sliding forward under crash impact, or hinder evacuation in the event of an emergency.

Passenger Weight

HeliOps uses “declared” weight plus 4kg (9lb) to determine the weight of a passenger. The weight of the pilot, and crew member(s) when carried, shall be actual weights. Except as described below, any goods and baggage to be carried in the aircraft must be weighed.

The all-up weight of the aircraft is to stay within the aircraft weight limitations stated in the Flight Manual.

When operating from a remote aerodrome where it is not possible to establish actual weights of goods and baggage, the pilot must assess the weight of each item by lifting it briefly off the ground. If the estimated total weight of all items exceeds the amount that can be carried, items shall be offloaded until the pilot is satisfied that the maximum certificated all-up weight of the aircraft will not be exceeded. 

Determination of CG

There are two methods used by HeliOps to ensure that the CG of the helicopter will be within prescribed limits:

• prior calculations of CG position with various passenger, luggage and fuel weights which indicate that the CG limits are not exceeded (see App I pages 14A and B) and

• confirmation of the correct CG position during a hover check prior to departure.

Passenger Control - on the Ground

The pilot-in-command, assisted by ground staff if necessary, shall be responsible for:

• clearance around the helicopter; and

• provision of safety briefing, including location of equipment on board the helicopter, using HeliOps Passenger Safety briefing; and

• assistance to board and disembark the helicopter keeping them clear of the rotors, if rotating, and other hazards.

Passenger Control - In the Air

The pilot-in-command is responsible for the safety and well-being of any passenger; to this end the pilot should keep any passengers adequately informed, and during an emergency make every effort to keep them calm, and give instructions as applicable, while appropriate emergency steps are being taken. While passengers are carried, no unusual, abnormal or practice emergency manoeuvres are permitted.