Helicopter guidelines for land seismic & helirig operations - OGP

Helicopter guidelines for land seismic & helirig operations
5 Helicopter performance and role equipment
standards
5.1 General
5.1.1 Seismic operations generally demand an aircraft to be operated in the low-level, lowspeed
regime. Furthermore, helicopter assistance is only mobilised in terrain and
conditions where cheaper ground/water transport is unable to provide the logistics
needed, ie over terrain that will be classified as “Hostile” for part of the area. From
this, it will be evident that high demands will be put on helicopter performance
during seismic operations.
5.1.2 Careful consideration of the aircraft type and configuration should be made during
the initial planning and tendering phase of the seismic operation with appropriate
input from qualified aviation expertise.
5.1.3 In determining the type of aircraft, its configuration and the operational parameters
to be specified for a specific project, the user should first determine the type of
operating environment using the following definitions of Hostile and Non-Hostile
Environment:
1. Hostile Environment: An environment in which a successful emergency
landing cannot be assured, or the occupants of the aircraft can not be adequately
protected from the elements, or search and rescue response/capability cannot be
provided consistent with the anticipated exposure.
2. Non-Hostile Environment: An environment in which a successful emergency
landing can be reasonably assured, and the occupants of the aircraft can be
adequately protected from the elements, and search and rescue response/
capability can be provided consistent with the anticipated exposure.
5.1.4 The most significant choice to be made is between Single and Twin engine aircraft.
The general guidance on this is given below, but a final decision should be based on
the risk assessment described in Annex A.
1. A twin engine aircraft able to sustain one engine inoperative (OEI) flight,
after jettisoning any external load, is recommended for seismic operations in a
predominantly Hostile Environment.
2. Single engine aircraft that have been approved by a qualified aviation advisor
may be used in a Non-Hostile Environment, subject to further risk assessment.
3. Where flying over built up or congested areas can not be avoided, twin engined
aircraft should be considered, capable of meeting the requirement stated in
point 5.2.1 below.
5.1.5 Aircraft to be approved and registered with CAA.
5.1.6 For passenger transport, Performance Class 1 helicopters should be given preference.
When not available, Performance Class 2 should be the next selected and if neither
available Performance class 3 helicopters can be used subject to risk analysis. Ref.
AMG Section 5.1.4 and 5.2 for additional guidance.
5.1.7 External load operations should only be conducted with a helicopter for which an
approved Supplement to the aircraft Flight Manual for external load operations exists
and which is in compliance with this Supplement.
5.1.8 Helicopters should have engine trend analysis recorded and reviewed on a daily basis
by technical staff.
5.1.9 See section 9.2 for detailed performance planning requirements.
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