Advocacy Organization Sends Letter Expressing Concerns To Transport Canada

In a recent letter to Transport Canada, the Helicopter Association of Canada (HAC) has raised a number of issues with respect to operations at H1 Heliports.

Section 325.19(b) of the Canadian Aviation Safety Standards (CASS), sets out the performance requirements for operations at H1 Heliports. The Standard has been in place since 2007, but only recently has the interpretation of this section become an issue. The section calls up a very specific performance requirement – but not full Performance Class I (PC1). Because none of the OEMs build their aircraft performance charts and data around the H1 performance standard, it is difficult for any operator to demonstrate H1- specific compliance.

In the absence of H1-related performance charts provided by the OEMs, Transport Canada has been insisting upon PC1 – a more conservative standard – and one that imposes a variety of other aircraft-related, helipad-related, and operationally-based limitations.

The interpretation of CASS 325.19(b) will affect all operations into H1 Heliports.

HAC has made it clear that the regulated community is entitled to interpret Transport Canada’s intentions on this subject, based only on the wording of CASS section 325.19(b). HAC, and its interested operator-members will be meeting by teleconference with Transport Canada on this important issue in mid-August.

(Source: HAC news release)

FMI: www.h-a-c.ca