CASA EX16/18 — Life Jacket Standard (Heli-Aust Whitsundays Transfer Operations) Exemption 2018 (Cth)

Instrument number CASA EX16/18

I, PETER MICHAEL WHITE, Executive Manager, Regulatory Services & Surveillance, Aviation Group, a delegate of CASA, make this instrument under regulations 11.160 and 11.205 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998.

[Signed P. White]

Peter White
Executive Manager, Regulatory Services & Surveillance
Aviation Group

21 February 2018

CASA EX16/18 — Life Jacket Standard (Heli‑Aust Whitsundays Transfer Operations) Exemption 2018

1          Name

                 This instrument is CASA EX16/18 — Life Jacket Standard (Heli‑Aust Whitsundays Transfer Operations) Exemption 2018.

2          Duration

                 This instrument:

(a)   commences on the day of registration; and

(b)   is repealed at the end of 31 January 2021.

3          Repeal

                 Instrument CASA EX41/17 is repealed.

4          Definitions

                 In this instrument:

exempted operator means Heli-Aust Whitsundays Pty Limited, ARN 556042, registered under the business names of FNU, Gladstone Helicopters, Mackay Helicopters, and Port Headland Helicopters.

exempted person means a person, including the exempted operator, who fits, carries, or uses an SOS PFD during a transfer operation.

required maintenance means annual servicing and testing, performed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

SOS PFD means an SOS‑6167‑8 model or an SOS‑6167‑15 model personal flotation device manufactured by Case Investments Pty Ltd, ARN 1006566, registered under the business name of S O S Marine.

transfer operation means a helicopter operation, conducted by the exempted operator, to transport a marine pilot wearing an SOS PFD to or from a ship at sea.

5          Exemptions

        (1)     The exempted operator is exempt from compliance with subregulation 207 (2) of CAR, to the extent that the subregulation requires an Australian aircraft used during a transfer operation to carry an SOS PFD that CASA has approved and directed.

        (2)     An exempted person is exempt from compliance with subregulation 207 (3) of CAR, to the extent that the subregulation requires the exempted person to fit, carry or use an SOS PFD only if it complies with a standard mentioned in subparagraph 5.1.6 (a) of Civil Aviation Order 20.11.

        (3)     An exempted person is exempt from compliance with subparagraph 5.1.6 (a) of Civil Aviation Order 20.11, to the extent that the subparagraph requires a life jacket worn by an individual during a transfer operation to comply with a standard approved by CASA.

        (4)     The exemptions are subject to the conditions mentioned in sections 6 and 7.

6   Conditions — exempted operator

        (1)     The exempted operator must ensure that each SOS PFD used during a transfer operation has:

(a)   reflective markings; and

(b)   a whistle; and

(c)   a light; and

(d)   a manual inflation function; and

(e)   received the required maintenance, performed by one of the following:

             (i)  a maintenance organisation approved by CASA under regulation 30 of CAR that is authorised to service and test flotation equipment;

            (ii)  a Part 145 organisation that is authorised to service and test flotation equipment.

        (2)     The exempted operator must ensure that each individual who wears an SOS PFD during a transfer operation has, in the 6 months preceding the transfer operation, demonstrated competence in matters associated with the use of each model of SOS PFD mentioned in this instrument, including:

(a)   deactivation of the auto-inflation feature in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions; and

(b)   recognition of the dangers of auto-inflation if the user is trapped under water in a helicopter; and

(c)   operation of the harness buckle system for each model of SOS PFD mentioned in this instrument; and

(d)   helicopter emergency escape procedures.

        (3)     Before conducting a transfer operation, the exempted operator must ensure that:

                 (a)   each individual who wears an SOS PFD during the transfer operation weighs 60 kg or greater; and

(b)   the pilot in command of the transfer operation and each individual who wears an SOS PFD during the transfer operation have reviewed a copy of this instrument and are familiar with its conditions; and

(c)   the pilot in command of the operation has, in the previous 6 months, demonstrated competence to:

             (i)  identify that the auto-inflation feature is disarmed; and

            (ii)  disarm and re-arm the auto-inflation feature.

        (4)     The exempted operator must keep the following records in accordance with the procedures mentioned in its operations manual for managing life-saving equipment and personnel training records:

(a)   records of the demonstration of the competencies mentioned in subsection (2) and paragraph (3) (c);

(b)   records of the performance of the required maintenance.

7   Condition — pilot in command

The pilot in command of a transfer operation must ensure, before each flight, that the auto‑inflation function of all SOS PFDs on board the helicopter is deactivated in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.