wishing you all avery safe and happy election flying · wishing you all avery safe and happy...

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY SAFE AND HAPPY ELECTION FLYING

PRECAUTIONSTO BETAKEN

FORELECTION

FLYING

OFFICE OF THE ECTOR OF AVIA nONGovt. of Gujarat

AGFC Hangar Old AirportAHMEDABAD-380003

DO'S & DON'TS

WISHING YOU ALLAVERY SAFE AND HAPPY ELECTION FLYING WISHING YOU ALL A VERY SAFE AND HAPPY ELECTION FLYING

Pre-Election Helicopter Flying

After a lull - no helicopter accident in 2006-07 upto 31.3.07, the Calendar Year 2007 had the dubiousdistinction of having had seven major accidents tocivil registered helicopters in India.

These accidents which resulted in loss ofprecious lives including those of highly trained andexperienced helicopter pilots have brought intosharp focus, the safety aspects of helicopteroperations within the country.

While it is true that these accidents have beeninvestigated by the proper authorities, there is agrowing feeling among professionals that manycontributory factors causing these accidents maynot see the light of day, due to various factors.

Printed atapr brothers, 71, mallan ponnappan street, chennai 600 005

Ar area in which accident is waiting to occur is\

Pre-Election flying. On numerous occasions, theRotary Wing Society India has drawn the attention

DO'S & DON'TS2 DO'S & DON'TS3


of authorities concerned to the problems beingfaced by the operators in this area. Since majorityof the problems involve political parties using thehelicopter services for pre election campaign,enforcement of the strict safety guidelines publishedby the Regulator (DGCA) has not been possible.

Election flying is a highly demanding exercisein terms of skill levels, professionalism and tact.Long flying hours, large number of take off andlandings, weather changes, lack of proper restand recuperation arrangements, hurriedlyprepared helipads, frequent changes in itinerary,time management, highly stretched securityarrangements, crowd control, congestedairspace, lack of adequate communication andairspace management. Commercial interests andlanguage barrier are some of the challenges of

election flying.

RWSI being the nodal agency for the conduct

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of helicopter operations in the country, it isconcerned about the safe and efficient conductof the election flying. Although commercialinterests have to be taken care of, yet safety ofthe operations is of paramount importance.

We are aware of the fact that we have highlyqualified and competent aviation professionalsfor the management of operations in the field.However, many operators are managed by nonaviation professionals. We therefore consider itour duty to bring to the notice of Chief ofOperations, pilots, engineers and technicianssome do,s and don't,s which would certainly beof immense help if implemented in letter andspi rit.

Air Vice MarshalK.Sridharan VM (G) (Retd.)

President,RWSI

DO'S & DON'TS

DO'S

1. Discuss with your operator and hiring agency:

a. Area of Operations.

b. Likely Duration of operations andAnticipated Flying Effort.

c. Suggested base of operations andadministrative arrangements.

2. Discuss with your maintenance

a. The required maintenance planning as peranticipated flying effort.

b. The required manning as per companypolicy especially keeping in mind flying ofVI Ps (AME has to carry out DI for theflight(s)). Insist for a separate person forbarrel refueling in field if anticipated.

c. Availability of fuel carnet with adequatefunds for refueling must be ensured. Obtaincredit bill authority from the IOC / HP etc. forgetting fuel in barrels based on anticipatedflying effort.

d. Serviceability of the barrel refueling pumpand associated testing equipment.

WISHING YOU ALLAVERY SAFE AND HAPPY ELECTION FLYING

DO'S & DON'TS 6


3. Update

a. The database on all Airports in your area ofoperations.

b. The special procedures if any required tobe followed for all highly active airports.(Interact with pilots who have in the area).

c. The nav equipment and also the mapsrequired. A local road map would be verymuch required.

d. Keep a format of incident report in handalong with telephone numbers of therequired Directorate of Flight Safety.

4. Inform the Party

a. Requirement of providing single pointcontact for the entire duration.

b. The requirements of Temporary Helipad asper CAR.

c. The requirements and responsibility ofproviding accurate helipad coordinatessecurity and precautions for a dusty helipadas per Circular / Letter issued by DGCA.

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5. All programmed plans must reach the pilotminimum 2 days before. All permissions to landmust be given by preceding evening prior to the flight.Permissions must be given by DistrictAuthorities and approved by Returning Officer.

6. Plan your expected flying and maintenanceactivities in advance keeping in mind scheduleservicing activities and stock up spares, fuel andoil etc for detachments as required.

7. Collect maps, charts, frequencies, airfieldoperating hours, location of restricted, prohibitedand dangerous area, telephone numbers of theairports, availability and booking ofaccommodation etc.

8. Meet the ATC, met and security personnel atthe detachment location and organize a coordination meeting with these officials and otheroperators who will also be operating in sameareas. Work out the common frequencies to beused and share the flying programme with otheroperators.

9. Collect the itinerary from the clients in advanceand plan your sortie thoroughly. GPS navigation

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is good but know your position on the map at alltimes. Make sure to get the exact co- ordinatesof the helipads from your clients and cross checkand reconfi rm.

10. Ensure that you have permission in writing'from the district authorities for landing at helipads.No verbal assurance should be accepted. Insistand receive written copy of permission.

11. In some places due to language barrier theremay be communication gap. Ensure that youhave reliable person who is familiar with the locallanguage.

12. Always give call before take off, on importantpin points, before descent, for approach andlanding. Keep a very good listening watch andsharp look out.

13. Exercise extra caution while refueling frombarrels. Remember fuel is life.

fI

14. During trial landings, brief the security, firefighting and helipad maintenance staff about therequirements of safety of the operations.

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15. Know your last landing time, cater forunexpected .delays, Always plan to land half anhour before sunset so that in case of some delayyou still have time in your hand.

16. Security and crowd control must bediscussed with the organisers and insisted upon.Security in the hostile area poses a majorchallenge and special care must be taken.

17. Brief the ground staff about the likelihood ofpeople walking in to the tail rotor and takespecial precautions. Make sure that tail rotor areais always kept clear. Use engineer and co pilot ifrequired to prevent people from walking into tailrotor.

-18. Dusty helipad is a dangerous helipad. Briefthe ground staff to sprinkle water and ensure thatthere is no dust is likely to be kicked up duringlanding and take off.

19. Standard size helipads meeting therequirement of CAR only should be accepted.Make sure that no fresh communication cableswith poles, flags have been erected. Very sharp

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look out is must before and during take off andlandings.

20. Ensure that there are no loose flying articleslike caps, dupattas, lungis, head scarves,polythene, flags, dhoti's and rag pieces etc in thevicinity. Keep a good look out for these duringtake off and landings.

21. Check your load, fuel, power required,available, size, elevation and surface conditionof the helipad and obstructions around it.

22. G~t proper and comprehensive weather brieffrom 'met and local sources before undertakingany sortie. Keep abreast with the likely changesin weather conditions in your area of operations.Never take chance with weather.

23. With winter and foggy season around thecorner, poor visibility and low clouds areexpected to be major hazards Wide spreadfog with poor visibility is a serious situation andspecial precautions need to be observed whileflying during winter months.

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24. Most of election flying is undertaken at lowlevels. Hence, the need for a good look out forobstructions, pylons, towers, ropeways etcbecomes very important. Marking these on yourmaps and communicating their existence to otherpilots/ operators is essential.

25. Ensure that you do not exceed your FDTLand FTL.

26. Engineer and technicians must be briefed tobe extra vigilant in their conduct of maintenanceactivities. Dusty environment operations is amajor factor to be kept in mind and thoroughnessand professionalism is the need of the hour inmaintenance activities.

27. Ground staff must be briefed for arrangingsuitable resting place and arrangement ofrefreshments etc for the crew at helipads/landingplaces.

28. Comfortable rest and recuperationaccommodation and suitable transportation isessential for the air and ground crew after flyingand this point must be emphasized to theconcerned authorities.

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WISHING YOU ALLAVERY SAFE AND HAPPY ELECTION FLYING

29. Concerned officials must be made aware inadvance about the limitations of helicopteroperations and crew

30. Reach your base of operations and organizea coordination meeting with ATC, Met andSecurity officials in consultation with otheroperators operating in the same area. Work outthe common frequencies to be used and sharethe flying programme (if possible) with otheroperators.

31. Establish contact with Party Coordinator andwork out working procedures. Arrange allprogrammes and permissions received invernacular are correctly translated for operationrequirements.

32. Prepare your nav plan and confirm / doubleconfirm the helipad locations through maps / localmaps / Google Earth / Party Coordinator. Remindhim to get water sprinkled on the helipad.

33. Brief your rep accompanying the barrelrefueling vehicle about the place, likely ETA andcoordination procedures. Give the requiredauthority letter for carriage of fuel.

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34. Ensure proper fuel planning as perprogramme received and simultaneously workout your passenger manifests and T/O C of G.

35. Prepare the required flight plans and fax themto the required FIC. Confirm receipt too.

36. Any delays at start on the days programme willhave a concertina effect on the entire plan for theday. Ensure to keep the VIP informed about delays.Amend ETDs as required with the FIC and MLU.

37. Carry out your pax briefing daily / with changeof pax religiously. Inform/Insist the PS / PAtravellingwith VIP to ensure suitable rest / refreshments forthe crew at halts. Brief the Copilot / AME / Technicianon board with respect to embarking anddisembarking procedures to be followed.

38. Keep a check on the weather at departure /enroute / destination. Be ready with contingencyplanning and diversions. Ensure that you alwayscarry a small overnight kit.

39. Give RT calls before each T/O and Landing.

40. At each helipad must carry out a high recce.Ensure all temp helipad requirements, security and

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crowd control measures are in place. If requiredReject A Helipad. Your earnestness will be tangiblyfelt.

41. Delays will be a norm. Remember to your lastlanding time and stick to it. It is 30 mins beforesunset.

42. Monitor your FTL and FDTL as per CAR inforce.

43. Remember the DGCA and the HelicopterFraternity is always going to respect / stand by yourdecisions as' a Captain where safety is concerned.

44. Finally Remember Your Responsibility to theHelicopter Fraternity. Any incident/mishap with youis a reflection on the entire Helicopter Fraternity.

DONTs

45. Do not accept a change in plan at the lastmoment.

46. Do not succumb to any pressure be it from theVIP / Party / Operator.

47. Never take chances with weather. Do notdelay diversion if necessary.

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48. Never press on in poor visibility conditions. Ifrequired land at a suitable site.

49. Never accept substandard helipads.

50. Do not compromise safety at the cost ofcommercial interest.

51. Do not be overconfident and do not succumbto the temptation of showing off.

52. Do not hesitate to say no if safety is likely tobe compromised.

53. Do not fly partially serviceable helicopter.

54. Do not pressurize maintenance staff to rushup maintenance activities.

55. Do not take short cuts in operations andmaintenance.

Wishing you all a very safe and happyelection flying.

DO'S & DON'TS

OFFICE OF 1HE OIREC10R.OF ~VI~110NGovt. of GUlara~

AGFC Hangar Old Alrp,ortAHMEDABAD-380003 16

wishing you all avery safe and happy election flying · wishing you all avery safe and happy...

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