CASA 20/16 - Authorisation, permission and exemption — helicopter winching operations (Esso Australia) (Cth)

Instrument number CASA 20/16

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, and regulation 11.160 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998.

[Signed G.J. Campbell]

Gerard J. Campbell
Executive Manager
Operations Division

1 March 2016

Authorisation, permission and exemption — helicopter winching operations (Esso Australia)

1          Duration

                 This instrument:

(a)   commences on the day after registration; and

(b)   expires at the end of February 2019, as if it had been repealed by another instrument.

2          Application

                 This instrument applies to the operation of S76 helicopters (the helicopters) in winching operations at offshore platforms or vessels (the site), owned or operated by ExxonMobil Australia Pty Ltd, solely to recover an unserviceable helicopter (the operation) by:

(a)   Esso Australia Pty Ltd, Aviation Reference Number 224378 (the operator); and

(b)   the pilot in command of the helicopter.

3          Authorisation

                 The pilot in command may allow persons or objects to be winched to and from the helicopter.

4          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.

5          Exemption

                 Helicopters operated by the operator are exempt from complying with the requirements of paragraphs 5.1 and 7.1 of Civil Aviation Order 29.11 (CAO 29.11).

6          Conditions

                 The instrument is 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 theflight 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 CAO 29.11, other than the provisions exempted under section 5 of this instrument.

        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 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 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 site permission) for the operation.

        9     The operator and the pilot in command must comply with all conditions of the site 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 permission, including any conditions.