Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Helicopter Operation
Helicopter Operation
Helicopter Operation
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Purpose ............................................................................................................................................... 4
2 Scope .................................................................................................................................................. 4
3 Responsibilities and Key Personnel.................................................................................................... 4
3.1 Offshore Installation Manager (OIM)................................................................................................... 4
3.2 Helideck Landing Officer (HLO) .......................................................................................................... 5
3.3 Helideck Team .................................................................................................................................... 8
3.4 Radio Operator.................................................................................................................................... 8
3.5 Southern Services Flight Company (SSFC) Person in Charge for Check-in at VT Heliport............... 9
3.6 Helicopter Pilot and Co-Pilot ............................................................................................................... 9
4 References .......................................................................................................................................... 9
5 Definitions............................................................................................................................................ 9
6 Scheduling, booking and Embarkation/Disembarkation Information ................................................ 10
7 In-Flight Requirements ...................................................................................................................... 10
8 Emergency Procedures..................................................................................................................... 10
9 Helideck Operational Features.......................................................................................................... 13
10 Medivac ............................................................................................................................................. 13
1 Purpose
This standard provides specific and general guidelines and information regarding the
operation of Helicopters utilized by CLJOC in the course of their business.
2 Scope
This standard applies to all helicopter operations (flights) to and from CLJOC assets to
other CLJOC assts and the Vung Tao Heliport. For personnel traveling on Helicopters to
or from CLJOC offshore facilities, this standard should be read in conjunction with
CLJOC-HSE-PRO-HS-0004 Going Offshore Procedures.
The HLO shall be trained to meet the OPITO requirements for HLOs as per the above
diagram (with the exception of Unit 4 – Refueling, as there is no requirement or operational
provision for helicopter refueling at CLJOC offshore installations).
The HLO shall be able to identify unignited fuel spillages, ignited fuel spillages and
pyrotechnic fire hazards in accordance with procedures, and report all fire hazards to the
appropriate persons.
The HLO shall be able to identify and locate all electrical hazards (including static) in
accordance with procedures, and report all electrical hazards to the appropriate persons.
The HLO shall be able to identify and locate all mechanical hazards associated with
helicopter rotors, flotation device, hydraulics, emergency location beacons, external
Liferafts and helicopter construction in accordance with procedures and report all
mechanical hazards to the appropriate persons.
• Ensure that helicopter doors and panels, fuel caps and tie down nets are secured
and stowed.
• Ensure that helideck checks for fire extinguishers, baggage trolley and external
power equipment are carried out and all equipment is secured and stowed.
• Ensure that rescue and firefighting equipment is manned and operational in
accordance with safe working practices.
• Communicate the helicopter departure clearance to the crew with clarity and
authority in consideration of impending operations.
• Conduct all work safely, in accordance with this standard and any related safe
working procedures.
For loading and unloading passengers and baggage, the HLO shall:
• Confirm with the pilot by visual or radio communications that the helicopter is safe to
be approached.
• Raise up and lock moveable hand rails for entry/exit helideck stairways.
• Transfer the manifests before unloading and loading commences.
• Understand and correctly operate locks and catches on doors fitted to passenger
and baggage compartments.
• Offload and place the baggage in accordance with safe working practices and
procedures.
• Disembark the passengers and provide a safe egress from the aircraft and helideck
under the direction of the helideck crew in appreciation of weather conditions and
rotor hazards and in accordance with procedures.
• Offload freight in accordance with procedures and regulations.
• Load the freight and baggage under the supervision of the pilot in accordance with
procedures and regulations.
• Confirm loaded passengers, baggage (including weight) and freight conforms to
details on manifest.
• Embark the passengers after supervising checks on lifejackets and hearing
protection and stowing of baggage.
• Lay down and lock moveable hand rails for entry/exit helideck stairways.
• Ensure that the breathing apparatus is donned by the helideck team when
appropriate.
• Ensure that the breathing apparatus is used as appropriate.
• Lead the Team to the incident area in a safe manner.
• Direct movement through the helideck incident area using upright (BA shuffle), crawl,
to descend/ascend, stairs and ladders as appropriate to the helideck and associated
areas in a safe manner and appropriate to the circumstances of smoke, heat,
darkness, poor visibility and all weather conditions.
• Maintain a safe means of escape.
• Confirm missing crew members, passengers and members of the helideck team to
the OIM.
• Ensure all missing persons are accounted for using appropriate search methods.
• Ensure trapped persons are rescued.
• With the assistance of the Facility Medic, prioritize casualties in an appropriate
manner and remove them to a safe location using appropriate slings, harnesses,
stretcher and hoist equipment and handling methods.
• Ensure that the helideck foam monitors, monitor controls, hoses, reels and branches
are used to optimum effect to fight fire.
• Monitor the effectiveness of fixed firefighting systems and take remedial action to
redress deficiencies in the water pumping capacity, water pressure, control
mechanisms and standby reserves.
• Ensure that the appropriate portable firefighting hoses, hose reels, branches, foam
and foam equipment, extinguishers, (dry powder, water, CO2, foam) are selected
and used.
• Five minutes before the helicopter arrives at each location, the field radio operator shall
arrange for crane operations to be suspended with booms placed clear of the helicopter
approach area, crane operators standing clear of the crane and the designated helideck
personnel, i.e. fireman and dispatcher, to be alerted and available. When crane
operations cannot be suspended, such as when the crane is assisting in a critical
operation, the Radio Operator will communicate the impending arrival of the helicopter to
the crane operator and request the crane boom not be moved during the helicopter
operation. The helicopter pilot will also be informed of the crane operation status and
give his approval.
• Give the helicopter permission to land at the facility. In doing so he confirms that
designated helideck personnel are in place, crane operations have been suspended and
the helideck is clear of obstructions.
• During weather conditions which may impact on helicopter safe operations, such
conditions shall be communicated to the helicopter pilot. For example, on CPP when the
wind is greater than 2 meters/second and coming from the Platform North through North-
East (estimated at 2.8% of the time), such conditions could potentially cause the ambient
temperature to rise past the 2 degree Celsius gradient threshold in the vicinity of the
helideck (due to carry over of hot turbine exhaust gases to the helideck). Accordingly,
any weather condition, including the example given, which may impact on helicopter
safe operations shall be communicated to the helicopter pilot for his consideration. Note,
for information, an “unexpected” ambient temperature rise has a direct impact on the
helicopter’s load rating and such a temperature rise may result in a helicopter flight being
terminated, cancelled or re-directed to another location.
• Register the arrival of incoming personnel.
• Advise the Heliport of the intended ETA of any Helicopter upon dispatching the
helicopter from his respective facility.
• Be the communications focal point between the facility and the Helicopter.
3.5 Southern Services Flight Company (SSFC) Person in Charge for Check-in at VT
Heliport.
• Ensure that all check-in requirements are complied with as per CLJOC-HSE-PRO-HS-
0004 Going Offshore Procedures; including Safety Briefings, Safety Videos and Safety
Equipment and Instructions.
4 References
• IATA regulations for the transportation by helicopter of personnel, cargo, baggage and
freight.
• OPITO Approved Standard for Offshore Helicopter Landing Officer.
• CLJOC-HSE-PRO-HS-0004 Going Offshore Procedures.
• CAP 437 – Offshore Helicopter Landing Areas – Guidance on Standards.
5 Definitions
IATA - International Air Transport Association.
OPITO - Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organization
HLO - Helicopter Landing Officer
7 In-Flight Requirements
• The "No Smoking" and "Fasten Seat Belt" signs shall be illuminated.
• The helicopter will make contact with the radio room after clearing VT Heliport Tower.
• Each facility's radio operator shall give the helicopter permission to land at the facility. In
doing so he confirms that designated helideck personnel are in place, crane operations
have been suspended and the helideck is clear of obstructions
• Once landed, a pilot will signal 'thumbs-up' to the helideck personnel to approach the
helicopter. When instructed by the pilot via the passenger wearing the headset,
passengers unfasten seat belts, disembark and remove life vest. The number of
passengers disembarking will be checked against the manifest by the dispatcher.
• Passengers will leave the helideck by the appropriate stairway, keeping well clear of the
tail rotor.
• Helideck Team will remove cargo and baggage from the helicopter and place it in a safe
location.
• Passengers will pick up their bags when instructed by the helideck team after the
helicopter has departed or the helicopter is shut down and the rotors have stopped
turning
• All passengers will check in with the Radio operator where appropriate, who will register
their arrival.
8 Emergency Procedures
• All passengers shall be familiar with the locations and use of all emergency equipment
within helicopters such as fire extinguishers, first aid kit, life vest, life rafts and
emergency exits.
• The pilot of the aircraft is in command at all times. He will ensure that passengers are
informed of emergency situations and briefed on the actions required of them.
• When landing on water, the helicopter floats will be deployed prior to touchdown. If it
becomes necessary to abandon the aircraft, the pilot will furnish all evacuation
instructions. Passengers are to remain in their seats with seat belts securely fastened
until the pilot orders evacuation of the helicopter. Do not inflate life vests inside the
helicopter.
• Upon instruction from the pilot, the life rafts will be deployed and inflated. At the pilot's
discretion, life rafts should remain tied to the helicopter while waiting for rescue. Once all
persons are safely in the life raft, the pilot will make a headcount, initiate first aid as
necessary and direct survival procedures.
• It is the responsibility of the helicopter operator to inform the VT Heliport Tower in the
event of an emergency situation.
o Helicopter Incidents
The helicopter is the principal means of transporting personnel to and from the
Field and any helicopter emergency shall be responded to immediately in order
to protect lives. Should an incident occur involving helicopter operations, the
response will be a combination of activities from the helicopter operator, the
Field, onshore CLJOC IMT and government agencies and as such require clear
lines of communication.
During the initial period, usually within the first 5-10 minutes, when an aircraft
fails to arrive at its destination or fails to make a scheduled position report,
attempts will immediately be made to make contact or establish its safety using
all available means. Flight Track will be closely monitored to ensure it is still en-
route; however, it shall not be assumed by this that there are no problems on
board.
Where this period extends beyond 15 minutes and where failure to locate or
establish communications with the aircraft, or where information is received that it
is mechanically or operationally impaired, the helicopter operator will notify the
Field Manager and the Senior Operations Manager and emergency response will
be initiated.
In the event of a Mayday Call being received from the aircraft, the Radio
Operator must attempt to get full details of the aircraft’s estimated position and
status. If possible, communication with the aircraft should be maintained for as
long as possible to monitor the ongoing situation.
The Field Manager, in liaison with the helicopter operator Operations Officer will
notify Search & Rescue (SAR) Services and other facilities and vessels in the
vicinity. To each informed party:
A Mayday relay message will be transmitted from the facility detailing the facility
identification, last known location of the aircraft and the number of persons on
board.
o Helicopter Crash
A helicopter crash on any part of a facility should be considered as a fire and
explosion hazard with the additional complication of spilt aviation fuel and the
need to rescue passengers and crew.
Helicopter crashes may occur during routine helicopter take off and landing
operations or where there are known malfunctions with the aircraft and an
emergency landing is necessary. Helideck operations procedures require there
to be a qualified Helicopter Landing Officer directing helideck operations, a Fire
watch and other adequately trained personnel also on hand to man fire fighting
equipment during helicopter landing operations.
Where the pilot is making an emergency landing, the facility Incident Commander
shall:
• Sound the GPA and announce the situation over the PA system;
• Alert the Emergency Response Teams
• Remove all non-essential personnel to a safe place;
• Suspend all operations and secure the facility;
• Maintain communication with the aircraft;
• Ensure that the Offshore Emergency Teams are in place;
• Ensure that the Infield Support Vessel is on standby..
In the event of a crash on a facility, rescue and fire fighting operations shall
immediately be commenced as necessary.
o Helicopter Ditching
A helicopter ditching can be caused by a malfunction of the aircraft or it may
occur due to adverse conditions during take off or landing.
Should a ditching occur during the flight, warnings will normally be received
through a Mayday Call or through flight following with Flight Track and as such
search and rescue operations will commence in accordance with the Mayday
response.
Where there are helicopter operations occurring near a facility, the Standby
Vessel and or crew boat are required to stand-by for the provision of rescue in
the event of a ditching.
Should a ditching occur near a facility the following actions shall be taken:
Sound the GPA and announce the situation over the PA system;
Dispatch the Standby Vessel and or crew boat to rescue survivors;
Call for assistance from other vessels and helicopters in the vicinity;
Suspend operations as appropriate;
Notify Search & Rescue Services, helicopter operator and Sr. Operations
Manager;
Prepare to receive survivors and render medical assistance;
Arrange for transportation of injured or traumatized survivors to Vung Tau
/ Ho Chi Minh City.
10 Medivac
A Medivac is the medical evacuation of an injured or sick person by helicopter from the
Field or contracted vessels. Usually this will be by unscheduled flight. Where the
injury/illness is not life threatening and the person is able to make the journey in comfort
and safety, a scheduled flight may be used.
The Facility Doctor / Medic is responsible for providing medical assessment and treatment.
Contact is to be made with CLJOC HSE Department in Ho Chi Minh City to inform and if
necessary solicit medical advice and instruction. The Facility Doctor / Medic will determine:
The Offshore Installation Manager, in consultation with the Medic, has the authority to
approve a Medivac. The OIM will initiate the process by contacting helicopter contractor
directly so that preparation can be commenced as soon as possible. Ongoing
communication will be maintained between the OIM, Operations Superintendent and the
Flight Coordinator as appropriate.
The contracted helicopter operator out of Vung Tau will normally conduct a Medivac. For
urgent Medivac, once the patient has been picked up from the Field, transportation will be to
a nominated hospital in Ho Chi Minh City.
In situations where the Facility Medic / doctor is needed to accompany the patient for
medical reasons, permission from the relevant Installation Manager is to be obtained.
Where possible, however, the Medic should remain in the Field and a suitably qualified
Medic Assistant accompanies the patient.
• Marril bag;
• Propaq;
• Oxyviva and spare cylinders.
Responsibilities:
Offshore Medic
Base Supervisor