CASA EX41/17 Exemption from life jacket standard (Heli-Aust Whitsundays) (Cth)

Instrument number CASA EX41/17

I, gerard john campbell, Safety Assurance Senior Manager, Aviation Group, a delegate of CASA, make this instrument under regulations 11.160 and 11.205 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998.

[Signed G.J. Campbell]

Gerard J. Campbell
Safety Assurance Senior Manager
Aviation Group

29 March 2017

Exemption — from life jacket standard (Heli-Aust Whitsundays)

1          Duration

                 This instrument:

(a)   commences on the day of registration; and

(b)   is repealed at the end of 29 February 2020.

2          Definitions

                 In this instrument:

Heli-Aust Whitsundays means Heli-Aust Whitsundays Pty Limited, trading as Gladstone Helicopters, Mackay Helicopters, FNU, and Port Headland Helicopters, ARN 556042.

transfer operation means a helicopter operation conducted by Heli-Aust Whitsundays to transport a marine pilot wearing an SOS-6167-8 PFD to or from a ship at sea for Port Hedland pilots.

SOS-6167-8 PFD means the SOS-6167-8 model personal floatation device manufactured by Case Investments Pty Ltd, trading as SOS Marine, ARN 1006566.

3          Application

                 This instrument applies in relation to Heli-Aust Whitsundays if it conducts a transfer operation.

4          Exemptions

        (1)     A person associated with a transfer operation 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 a marine pilot to comply with a standard approved by CASA.

        (2)     The exemption is subject to the conditions mentioned in section 5.

5   Conditions

        (1)     Heli-Aust Whitsundays must ensure that each SOS-6167-8 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)   passed annual servicing and testing in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions (the required maintenance), performed by one of the following:

             (i)  a maintenance organisation approved by CASA under regulation 30 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 that is authorised to service and test flotation equipment;

            (ii)  a Part 45 organisation that is authorised to service and test flotation equipment;

           (iii)  the manufacturer.

        (2)     Heli-Aust Whitsundays must ensure that the marine pilot has, in the previous 6 months, demonstrated competence in matters associated with the use of SOS-6167-8 PFDs, including:

(a)   deactivation of the auto-inflation feature in accordance with 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 SOS-6167-8 PFD harness buckle system; and

(d)   helicopter emergency escape procedures.

        (3)     Before conducting a transfer operation, Heli-Aust Whitsundays must ensure that:

(a)   the pilot in command of the operation and each marine pilot using an SOS-6167-8 PFD to be transported have reviewed a copy of this instrument and are familiar with its conditions; and

(b)   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 pilot in command of a transfer operation must ensure, before each flight, that the auto-inflation function of all SOS-6167-8 PFDs on board the helicopter are deactivated in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.

        (5)     Heli-Aust Whitsundays 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 subsections (2) and (3);

(b)   records of the required maintenance.