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CAA Advisory Circulars

All current CAA Advisory Circulars can be found HERE.   Updates are sent via email automatically.

Dual Controls

It is the responsibility of the Chief Pilot/Instructor to ensure that dual controls are properly secured, and working satisfactorily prior to training or test flight(s). The installation or removal of the dual controls will be recorded on the pilot maintenance forms or in the aircraft logbook with a required second inspection carried out. 

Equipment

The pilot shall ensure that the following serviceable equipment and information is carried on each air operation in its current and appropriate form:

• a means of indicating the time; and

• an aeronautical chart of the area in which the flight will be conducted; and

•   AIPNZ Volume 4, when required; and

If any information, equipment or advice prior to flight indicates that the safety of the flight cannot reasonably be assured, the flight shall be cancelled, and the CEO informed.

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Induction of Aircraft

The procedures on this page apply also for the induction of aircraft owned by the company as distinct from leased. In addition to above, the following procedures must have been completed prior to using the aircraft for Air Operations.

• Ensure that all equipment required by CAA Rules and the company is fitted to the aircraft and any equipment already fitted, such as first aid kits and fire extinguisher, meet company requirements.

• Ensure that markings, placards and sign writing is appropriate and meets Rule requirements.

• Ensure that the Maintenance Logbooks show that the aircraft is being maintained to the manufacturers maintenance programme. 

• Enter the aircraft into Flightcert.

• Issue a new Technical Log to ensure that other required company documentation is in the aircraft.

• For aircraft owned, or leased for 28 days or more, ensure that the ELT is re-registered.

Instruments and Equipment

Helicopters operated by HeliOps are equipped with instruments and equipment in accordance with Part 91.509, that are installed in accordance with manufacturer’s or other approved instructions and that comply with part 135 Appendix B. Additionally required are :

•  (in the R22 and R44) a means of automatically recording and accumulating the time from each take-off until each landing (Hobbs meter); and

• one approved VHF radio but two for flights in controlled airspace or airspace in which radio communications are required, (eg. an MBZ); and

• an axe, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, carbon monoxide detector, and when applicable, life jackets.

          * NOTES:  A time-in-service recorder must be fitted in helicopters operated on Air Operations when advised by Gazette.    The ELT operating on 406 MHz, the ELT must be uniquely coded and the national S&R organization must have been notified of the code entered.

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Passengers - when a Private Use Operation  

If a HeliOps employed pilot is acting as a pilot in a private use operation, that pilot isresponsible for the control and briefing of passengers. Disabled persons must be adequately cared for, provided with appropriate seating, and provided with handling assistance in the event of an emergency. The manner in which these requirements are met depends on the type of disability.

Passenger Seat Restraint

Passengers shall wear the approved seat harness at all times (shoulder harness or diagonal shoulder belt for crew members), and each person shall occupy a separate seat. A child under the age of 4 (four) may be carried without occupying a separate seat provided the child is held by an adult and secured by a safety belt attached to that adult’s safety restraint. 

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

Except for infants under the age of 2 who may be assessed at 15kg, and children from age 2 to under 13 who may be assessed at 46kg, HeliOps uses two methods to determine the weight of passengers, “declared” weights, or “actual” weights through the use of weighing scales which must be checked for accuracy annually. The weight of the pilot shall be actual weight. Except as described below, any goods and baggage to be carried in the aircraft must be weighed.

When using “declared” passenger weights the pilot, or approved ground crew member, must add 4 kg (9 lb) to each weight declared by the passenger(s). The pilot is strictly forbidden to encourage a passenger to declare a weight that is less than that of the passenger’s actual weight. If the weight of a passenger is clearly greater than the declared weight, a weight that is more representative of the actual weight of the person is to be used. If the pilot/ground crew member cannot establish a declared weight with any degree of accuracy, all passengers shall be weighed individually.

The pilot must not mix the method of determining passenger weights, it must be either declared weights or actual weights for the particular flight. 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 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 wellbeing of passengers; to this end the pilot should keep passengers adequately informed, and during an emergency make every effort to keep passengers calm, and give instructions as applicable, while appropriate emergency steps are being taken. While passengers are carried, no unusual, abnormal or emergency manoeuvres are permitted, e.g., no aerobatics, simulated forced landings/autorotations or similar.

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Stowage, Cleaning and Security 

To protect and care for the helicopter

Helicopter rundown is to be done by the pilot in accordance with the Flight Manual. Helicopters are hangared overnight.

When parked outside at any temporary location overnight, the keys are to be taken out of the helicopter, the fuel locked away and the main rotor blades tied down.

The pilot is responsible for keeping the helicopter clean inside and out, this may be carried out by Ground Staff under supervision.

Role equipment should be cleaned at the same time, and before being stowed away.