Instrument number CASA 139/15
I, GERARD JOHN CAMPBELL, Executive Manager, Operations Division, a delegate of CASA, make this instrument under subregulations 151 (3) and 250 (2) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988.
[Signed G.J. Campbell]
Gerard J. Campbell
Executive Manager
Operations Division
15 September 2015
Authorisation and permission — helicopter winching operations (CHC Helicopters)
1          Duration
                 This instrument:
(a)   commences on the day after registration; and
(b)   expires at the end of August 2018, as if it had been repealed by another instrument.
2          Repeal
                 Instrument CASA 320/12 is repealed.
3          Application
                 This instrument applies to the operation of AS332 Super Puma, AW139, Sikorsky S92, S76, Bell 412, SA365, EC145 and EC225 helicopters (the helicopters) in winching operations at offshore platforms or vessels (the site), solely to recover an unserviceable helicopter (the operation), by:
(a)   Lloyd Helicopters Pty Ltd, trading as CHC Helicopters (Australia), Aviation Reference Number 222688 (the operator); and
(b)   the pilot in command of the helicopter.
4          Authorisation
                 The pilot in command may allow persons or objects to be winched to and from the helicopter.
5          Permission
                 For the operation, a person may be carried on, or in, a part of the helicopter that is not designed for the accommodation of the crew or passengers on, or in, a thing attached to the helicopter.
6          Conditions
                 The authority and permission are subject to the conditions mentioned in Schedule 1.
Schedule 1          Conditions
        1     In this Schedule:
civil aviation legislation means the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (the Act), the regulations under the Act and the Civil Aviation Orders.
daylight means the time of a day that is after the start of morning civil twilight (first light) and before the end of evening civil twilight (last light).
flight means the flight to and from the site:
(a)   commencing at the place mentioned in the chief pilot’s safety assessment; and
(b)   ending at the place, or any alternative place, mentioned in the safety assessment.
safety assessment means a written assessment of all aspects of the operation and the flight approved by the operator’s chief pilot.
        2     The operator and the pilot in command of the helicopter must comply with Civil Aviation Order 29.11, other than subsections 5 and 7.
        3     Before the operation, the operator must ensure that the operator’s chief pilot:
(a)   has approved the safety assessment; and
(b)   has provided the operator with a written approval, based on the safety assessment, for the operation.
        4     For the operation and the flight, the pilot in command of the helicopter must operate the helicopter at the minimum practicable weight and the minimum practicable fuel load, including reserves, necessary for:
(a)   successful completion of the operation and the flight; and
(b)   fly-away capability at the site in the event of engine failure.
        5     The operator must ensure that the operation may only be conducted:
(a)   in daylight with the horizon visible; and
(b)   using the heave-in line technique in accordance with the procedures set out in the operator’s operations manual:
             (i)  as at the date of this instrument; or
            (ii)  as varied with the written agreement of CASA; and
(c)   at the safest working area of the site that allows fly-away alternatives for the pilot in command of the helicopter.
        6     The operator and the pilot in command of the helicopter may only winch the following persons during an operation:
(a)   maintenance personnel of the operator who have successfully completed a course of training for a winching operation, as set out in the operator’s operations manual; or
(b)   where the operator’s chief pilot has determined that the operation can be conducted safely, maintenance personnel who are accompanied during a winching operation by a rescue crewman who has been trained and qualified by the operator.
        7     During the operation, the pilot in command of the helicopter must ensure that the helicopter hovers wholly or partially over the site to the minimum extent necessary for the safe conduct of the operation.
        8     Before commencing an operation, the operator must secure the written permission of the owner or operator of the site (the permission) for the operation.
        9     The operator and the pilot in command must comply with all conditions of the permission that are consistent with this instrument, Australian civil aviation legislation or instruments made under civil aviation legislation.
      10     The operator must, within 48 hours of each completed operation, give CASA:
(a)   details of the operation; and
(b)   a copy of the chief pilot’s safety assessment; and
(c)   a copy of the site owner or operator’s permission, including any conditions.