CAT.POL.H.225 Helicopter operations to/from a public interest site

(a)     Operations to/from a public interest site (PIS) may be conducted in performance class 2, without complying with CAT.POL.H.310(b) or CAT.POL.H.325(b), provided that all of the following are complied with:

(1)     the PIS was in use before 1 July 2002;

(2)     the size of the PIS or obstacle environment does not permit compliance with the requirements for operation in performance class 1;

(3)     the operation is conducted with a helicopter with an MOPSC of six or less;

(4)     the operator complies with CAT.POL.H.305(b)(2) and (b)(3);

(5)     the helicopter mass does not exceed the maximum mass specified in the AFM for a climb gradient of 8 % in still air at the appropriate take-off safety speed (VTOSS) with the critical engine inoperative and the remaining engines operating at an appropriate power rating; and

(6)     the operator has obtained prior approval for the operation from the competent authority. Before such operations take place in another Member State, the operator shall obtain an endorsement from the competent authority of that State.

(b)     Site-specific procedures shall be established in the operations manual to minimise the period during which there would be danger to helicopter occupants and persons on the surface in the event of an engine failure during take-off and landing.

(c)      The operations manual shall contain for each PIS: a diagram or annotated photograph, showing the main aspects, the dimensions, the non-conformance with the requirements performance class 1, the main hazards and the contingency plan should an incident occur.

[applicable until 24 May 2024 — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012]

(a)     Operations to/from a public interest site (PIS) may be conducted in performance class 2, without complying with CAT.POL.H.310(b) or CAT.POL.H.325(b), provided that all of the following are complied with:

(1)     the site was established as a public interest site before 1 July 2002, or the site was established as a public interest site before 28 October 2014 and a derogation from this point granted under Article 6(6) has been notified to the Commission and the Agency before 14 June, 2023;

(2)     the size of the PIS or obstacle environment does not permit compliance with the requirements for operation in performance class 1;

(3)     the operation is conducted with a helicopter with an MOPSC of six or less;

(4)     the operator complies with CAT.POL.H.305(b)(2) and (b)(3);

(5)     the helicopter mass does not exceed the maximum mass specified in the AFM for a climb gradient of 8 % in still air at the appropriate take-off safety speed (VTOSS) with the critical engine inoperative and the remaining engines operating at an appropriate power rating; and

(6)     the operator has obtained prior approval for the operation from the competent authority. Before such operations take place in another Member State, the operator shall obtain an endorsement from the competent authority of that State.

(b)     Site-specific procedures shall be established in the operations manual to minimise the period during which there would be danger to helicopter occupants and persons on the surface in the event of an engine failure during take-off and landing.

(c)      The operations manual shall contain all the following for each PIS: a diagram or annotated photograph that shows the main aspects, the dimensions, the non-conformance with the performance class 1 requirements, the main hazards and the contingency plan should an incident occur.

(d)     The operator shall keep the information provided in point (c) up to date and shall notify any changes to it to the competent authority. When operations take place in another Member State, the operator shall also notify the authority of that State.

[applicable from 25 May 2024 — Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1020]