Support Operations: Iogp Report 690-3
Support Operations: Iogp Report 690-3
Support Operations: Iogp Report 690-3
Support Operations
690-3 - Support Operations
PASSENGER HANDLING
1. Passenger check-in
1A. Purpose
Ensuring that passengers are identified and processed at check-in and are appropriately
escorted and seated
1B. Expectations
1C.1 A process is in place to verify the identity of passengers prior to boarding, ensure they meet
safety training requirements where appropriate, medical or other currency requirements,
searched for prohibited items (prohibited either in-flight or at the destination) and deny
boarding to passengers who are disruptive.
Guidance documents
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PASSENGER HANDLING
2A. Purpose
Ensuring the physical design of helidecks and heliport, their markings, lighting, emergency
cover, and all ancillary systems are suitable for safe operations.
2B. Expectations
Guidance documents
• ICAO Annex 6
• BARS Offshore Helicopter Operations Safety Performance Requirements Implementation
Guidelines
• HeliOffshore Safety Performance Model
Heliport/ Vessel Pitch, Roll Heliport and Helideck Multiple Helicopter Heliport/
Helideck Heave Limits Management Operations Helideck Design
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PASSENGER HANDLING
3A. Purpose
Ensuring passengers are qualified and approved to travel, and are free of prohibited items.
3B. Expectations
3C.1 Personnel under the influence of alcohol or non-prescription drugs are prohibited from
boarding any aircraft
3C.2 Check-in and security staff are trained to recognize the signs of substance abuse and alert
their management for appropriate action to remove the passenger from the flight
Guidance documents
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PASSENGER HANDLING
4A. Purpose
Ensuring the accurate and safe loading of aircraft, within approved limits.
4B. Expectations
For aircraft carrying 19 passengers or fewer passenger and baggage weights are accurate.
4C.1 Actual weights are used for passengers and all baggage.
4C.2 Weighing scales are calibrated throughout the full range of measurement, as per
manufacturers recommended intervals. If a manufacturer’s interval is not specified/
available, the scales are calibrated annually.
Guidance documents
• ICAO Annex 6
• HeliOffshore Safety Performance Model
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5. Passenger handling
5A. Purpose
5B. Expectations
5C.1 No passenger is seated more than one seat from a push-out window or emergency exit.
5C.2 A means is in place to identify passengers that are required to be seated next to appropriate
exits, as described in the “Step Change for Safety XBR process”.
5C.3 Ground handling and helideck staff involved in passenger seat allocation/verification during
boarding phase are aware of the XBR process.
5C.4 The use of seat harnesses/seat belt extensions is prohibited, unless certified.
Guidance documents
• EASA AMC1 SPA.HOFO.165(h) Additional procedures and equipment for operations in a hostile
environment - Emergency Exits and Escape Hatches
• RAF IAM (Report No.528) and University of Loughborough Report on body size for the Joint
Aviation Authorities (JAA) in 2001
• UK CAA CAP 562 Civil Aircraft Airworthiness Information and Procedures
• Step Change for Safety XBR process
• HeliOffshore Safety Performance Model
Land/General SAR/Emergency
Impact Survival Flotation Underwater Escape Sea Survival Alerting Post-Accident
Survival Response
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PASSENGER HANDLING
6A. Purpose
6B. Expectations
Passengers have suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the environment.
6C.1 All passengers are issued constant wear lifejackets meeting ETSO-2C504 with Personal
Locator Beacons (PLBs) and Compressed Air Emergency Breathing Systems (CA EBS).
6C.1.1 PLBs transmit on 121.5 MHz and AIS.
6C.1.2 PLBs are assessed for compatibility with the aircraft Emergency Location
Transmitter (ELT) and Crew PLBs.
6C.2 Immersion suits are worn when required by regulation or by contract, meet ETSO-2C502 or
ETSO-2C503, or national aviation authority approved standard, and which have been tested
for compatibility with the lifejacket.
6C.3 Information is displayed on passenger clothing requirements, including the type and number
of layers required under immersion suits, if applicable to the operating region.
6C.4 Hearing protection is provided for passengers together with instructions for its use.
Guidance documents
• ETSO 2C502
• ETSO 2C503
• ETSO-2C504
• HeliOffshore Safety Performance Model
Land/General SAR/Emergency
Impact Survival Flotation Underwater Escape Sea Survival Alerting Post-Accident
Survival Response
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PASSENGER HANDLING
7. Passenger briefing
7A. Purpose
Ensuring passengers have the necessary knowledge to safely board, disembark, and evacuate
the aircraft.
7B. Expectations
7C.1 Passengers are briefed on emergency procedures and other safety matters prior to every
flight. A video briefing is the preferred delivery method; a briefing by the flight crew is
acceptable where necessary.
7C.2 Passenger briefings are tailored to the specific design features and equipment of the aircraft
to be used. If there are minor differences in configuration between the briefing and aircraft
to be used, a supplementary briefing on the aircraft or using illustrations of the differences
is provided before flight. Differences are minor if they are easy to understand and identify
on the aircraft, do not introduce risk of injury if misused and have no adverse effect on
survivability.
7C.2.1 Passengers are briefed to use push-out windows/emergency exits as detailed in
the RFM and relevant OEM documents.
7C.3 Briefings are valid for 24 hours, after which a fresh briefing is delivered.
7C.4 In locations where some passengers do not fully understand the language used for the
briefing, the video contains subtitles, or there is a video in the local language, or a translator
is provided if necessary.
7C.5 There is a safety briefing card for each passenger seat containing information on safety
equipment and emergency procedures, including the brace position. The cards use graphics
with international symbols, and/or have information added in the local language(s) if
required.
7C.6 The passenger briefing includes:
7C.6.1 A general description of the aircraft and the danger areas around main and tail
rotors, including safe and unsafe directions of approach and the danger of blade
sail during rotor start or shutdown.
7C.6.2 How survival suits are to be worn, if required, including use of hoods and gloves.
7C.6.3 Procedures for boarding and exiting the aircraft. Passengers are required to
remain seated until the flight/ground crew or other designated personnel open the
doors and instruct them to disembark.
7C.6.4 Proper storage of hand carried items.
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7C.6.5 Instructions that smoking and the use of electronic cigarettes are prohibited at all
times in aircraft, or on the aircraft movement area.
7C.6.6 Instructions that seat belts and shoulder harnesses are required to be worn at all
times, other than when embarking/disembarking.
7C.6.7 Instructions on the use of personal electronic devices, if permitted.
7C.6.8 The location and operation of doors, emergency exits, emergency and lifesaving
equipment such as fire extinguishers, first aid kits, life jackets, life rafts, survival
gear, and emergency radio equipment (ELT and Emergency Position Radio
Indicating Beacon (EPIRBs)) as appropriate to the aircraft type and operation.
7C.6.9 Actions to be taken in the event of emergencies, including the brace position.
7C.6.10 Procedures for evacuating an aircraft in the event of an emergency landing on the
water or ditching, including the use of reference points for orientation, reminders
to not inflate life jackets until outside the helicopter and not to disembark the
aircraft while the rotors are turning.
7C.6.11 The means of communication between crew and passengers.
7C.6.12 The location and review of passenger briefing card.
7C.6.13 The use of hearing protection.
7C.6.14 Brace position:
7C6.14.1 Occupants in forward-facing seats adopt an erect brace position.
7C6.14.2 Occupants in aft-facing seats adopt an erect brace position with the
head placed firmly against the head rest or seat back.
7C6.14.3 In both cases hands either grip the outer immersion suit or the seat.
Knees are pressed together, feet slightly apart and heels slightly
forward of the seat.
7C.7 Procedures for boarding and exiting the aircraft:
7C.7.1 Passengers do not enter the aircraft operating area or helideck until instructed
to do so by Helideck Landing Officer (HLO), Helideck Attendant (HDA), or other
designated personnel.
7C.7.2 Passengers are required to remain seated until instructed by the pilot, HLO, HDA,
or other designated personnel opens the doors and instructs them to disembark.
Guidance documents
• ICAO Annex 6.
• ICAO Doc 10086
• HeliOffshore Safety Performance Model
Land/General SAR/Emergency
Impact Survival Flotation Underwater Escape Sea Survival Alerting Post-Accident
Survival Response
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PASSENGER HANDLING
8A. Purpose
Ensuring the accurate and safe aircraft loading within approved limits.
8B. Expectations
8C.1 Each piece of cargo offered for transport by air is weighed separately and recorded in the
manifest.
8C.2 The contents of each piece of cargo is verified against the manifest by its packing list or by
visual inspection
8C.3 Weighing scales are calibrated throughout the full range of measurement, as per
manufacturers recommended intervals. If a manufacturer’s interval is not specified/
available, the scales are calibrated annually.
Guidance documents
• ICAO Annex 6.
• HeliOffshore Safety Performance Model.
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9A. Purpose
Ensuring only appropriately packaged and documented dangerous goods (DG) are carried in
the appropriate aircraft hold locations.
9B. Expectations
9C.1 Where the carriage of DG by the aircraft operator is authorized, procedures comply with
the ICAO Technical Instructions or the IATA DG Regulations and with local regulatory
requirements. These include the training of relevant ground staff and the provision of the
correct documentation for all DG shipments.
9C.2 Where DG are not carried, DG Awareness training, compliant with local regulatory
requirements, is in place for all relevant ground staff at least every 2 years to prevent the
carriage of undeclared dangerous goods in passengers’ baggage and consigned freight.
9C.3 Provisions for dangerous goods carried by passengers or crew. Limitations for Portable
Electronic Devices (PED), batteries, including lithium metal or lithium-ion cells or batteries,
and specified ignition sources are in place. This includes spare or loose batteries.
9C.4 At a minimum, these cover:
9C.4.1 Check-In procedures, including passenger declarations
9C.4.2 Forbidding charging PED in-flight
9C.4.3 Mitigation measures – Flame/Smoke Containment Bag etc
9C.4.4 E-Cigarettes (if permitted) have batteries removed
9C.4.5 Checked in PED are switched off
9C.4.6 No transport of loose lithium batteries
Guidance documents
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10. Manifests
10A. Purpose
10B. Expectations
10C.1 The manifest is developed from the published flight schedule containing the following
information, at a minimum:
10C.1.1 Aircraft registration
10C.1.2 Flight number (if applicable)
10C.1.3 Passenger name
10C.1.4 Passenger company affiliation
10C.1.5 Passenger actual weight
10C.1.6 Passenger baggage weight
10C.1.7 Cargo weight
10C.2 The manifest may be hand-written or generated from a computer-based system. Where a
hand-written manifest is used, a copy is left with a responsible person on the ground who
retains it until the flight is completed.
10C.3 Where a flight involves multiple sectors, a single consolidated manifest is generated for each
sector and provided to the pilot.
10C.4 Any last-minute changes are incorporated, and the manifest is revised accordingly.
Guidance documents
• ICAO Annex 6
• ICAO Annex 9
• HeliOffshore Safety Performance Model
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PASSENGER TRAINING
11A. Purpose
11B. Expectations
11C.1 Passengers complete a HUET course to a recognized standard (e.g., OPITO) that includes
the use of a Modular Egress Training Simulator (METS) at least every four years, unless local
regulation requires greater frequency.
11C.2 This training is completed in conjunction with wet dingy drills using emergency equipment
similar to that installed on the aircraft.
11C.3 In HUET METS the emergency exit types and sizes are representative of the aircraft flown in
offshore operations.
11C.4 HUET trained personnel or their companies maintain a documented record of the training
completed.
Guidance documents
• OPITO Training Standard - Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET) with Compressed
Air Emergency Breathing System (CA-EBS)
• HeliOffshore Safety Performance Model
Land/General SAR/Emergency
Impact Survival Flotation Underwater Escape Sea Survival Alerting Post-Accident
Survival Response
Note: ‘Company’ is responsible for ensuring that passengers have undergone valid training and
have the necessary HUET and CA-A EBS qualifications. For more on ‘Responsible Party’, consult
IOGP Report 690-0 – Introduction to Offshore Helicopter Recommended Practices.
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PASSENGER TRAINING
12A. Purpose
12B. Expectations
Passengers are trained on the use of Compressed Air - Emergency Breathing System (CA-EBS).
12C.1 Passenger training in the use of the CA-EBS to ensure user proficiency is completed every 4
years.
12C.2 The CA-EBS is compatible with the lifejacket (and immersion suit, if required).
12C.3 An appropriate maintenance program (including pre-flight inspection) is in place for these
items.
Guidance documents
• OPITO Training Standard - Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET) with Compressed
Air Emergency Breathing System (CA-EBS)
• BS EN4856: 2018
• ETSO 2C519
• HeliOffshore Safety Performance Model
Land/General SAR/Emergency
Impact Survival Flotation Underwater Escape Sea Survival Alerting Post-Accident
Survival Response
Note: ‘Company’ is responsible for ensuring that passengers have undergone valid training and
have the necessary HUET and CA EBS qualifications. For more on ‘Responsible Party’, consult
IOGP Report 690-0 – Introduction to Offshore Helicopter Recommended Practices.
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690-3 - Support Operations
HELIDECK
13A. Purpose
Ensuring the physical design of helidecks and heliport, their markings, lighting, emergency
cover, and all ancillary systems are suitable for safe operations.
13B. Expectations
13C.1 Helipads, heliports, and offshore helidecks are clear of all cargo and passengers that are
being offloaded prior to passengers or cargo coming onto the helideck/heliport to board the
helicopter.
13C.2 Cargo is only be left on a helideck if formalized procedures, which include instructions and
provisions for securing the cargo, are established in writing and followed. The instructions
describe how to place the cargo without infringing on the helideck’s obstruction free areas.
Guidance documents
• HSAC RP163
• UK CAA CAP 437
• HeliOffshore Safety Performance Model
Heliport/ Vessel Pitch, Roll Heliport and Helideck Multiple Helicopter Heliport/
Helideck Heave Limits Management Operations Helideck Design
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690-3 - Support Operations
HELIDECK
14A. Purpose
Ensuring flight crew receive accurate actual and forecast weather data to make sound
planning decisions.
14B. Expectations
The aircraft operator is provided with weather and deck condition reports from offshore locations.
14C.1 Personnel trained as competent aviation weather observers using automated weather observing
systems, e.g., offshore installed AUTOMETARS and regional meteorological forecasting systems,
or Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS), are used to provide weather information.
14C.2 The following information is provided:
14C.2.1 Wind speed and direction
14C.2.2 Barometric pressure
14C.2.3 Air temperature and dew point temperature
14C.2.4 Visibility
14C.2.5 Cloud base
14C.2.6 Present weather
14C.2.7 Sea state
14C.3 For floating facilities and vessels, helideck motion data.
14C.4 All reporting equipment maintained and calibrated in accordance with original equipment
manufacturer’s instructions and the results recorded in a register.
Guidance documents
• CAP 437
• ICAO Annex 6
• IOGP Report 697 - Offshore helidecks and facilities
• BARSOHO
• HSAC Helideck Recommended Practice – RP163 2nd Edition
• HeliOffshore Safety Performance Model
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HELIDECK
15A. Purpose
15B. Expectations
Helicopters operations are prohibited on the helideck unless cranes are shut down.
15C.1 The aircraft operator and the helideck operator has established procedures to prohibit
helideck operations when cranes are active.
15C.2 During helicopter operations, crane jibs, A frames, etc., in the vicinity of the helideck are
stowed in a safe position clear of the obstacle protected surfaces and flight paths.
15C.3 Procedures are in place to communicate the crane situation to helicopter crews.
Guidance documents
Heliport/ Vessel Pitch, Roll Heliport and Helideck Multiple Helicopter Heliport/
Helideck Heave Limits Management Operations Helideck Design
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HELIDECK
16A. Purpose
16B. Expectations
16C.1 Offshore installations have a HLO and HDAs and other supporting staff, including emergency
response personnel available for all helicopter movements with relevant duties and
responsibilities clearly outlined in an up-to-date Helideck Operations and Procedures
Manual.
16C.2 All personnel engaged directly in helideck operations or in the general support of helicopter
operators undergo initial and recurrent training in accordance with OPITO standards (or an
acceptable alternative standard).
16C.3 See Section 8 of IOGP Report 697 - Offshore helidecks and facilities for further guidance.
Guidance documents
Heliport/ Vessel Pitch, Roll Heliport and Helideck Multiple Helicopter Heliport/
Helideck Heave Limits Management Operations Helideck Design
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HELIDECK
17A. Purpose
17B. Expectations
17C.1 A HLO and HDAs are used to control passenger movement on helidecks.
Guidance documents
• HSAC RP
• UK CAA CAP 437
• HeliOffshore Safety Performance Model
Heliport/ Vessel Pitch, Roll Heliport and Helideck Multiple Helicopter Heliport/
Helideck Heave Limits Management Operations Helideck Design
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HELIDECK
18A. Purpose
18B. Expectations
The aircraft operator has established a procedure for Rotors Running Refuelling (RRRF),
if applicable.
18C.1 The aircraft operator has documented procedures for the conduct of RRRF, where this is
permitted, and RRRF has been subject to a risk assessment.
18C.2 The procedures include the following in addition to any local regulatory requirements:
18C.2.1 A pilot is at the controls at all times.
18C.2.2 Passengers normally disembark prior to refuelling; however, if, for safety reasons,
the Pilot in Command (PIC) decides to refuel with the passengers on board, the
passengers are informed of this decision and the actions to take in the event of a
fire.
18C.2.3 Firefighting capability is available and manned with trained personnel.
18C.2.4 A person is stationed at the helicopter door to communicate with the passengers
if they remain on board, and assist evacuation in the event of a fire. This person
has visual contact with the refuelling operator.
18C.2.5 All seat belts are unfastened, the main exit door away from the side where
refuelling is occurring is opened unless otherwise specified by the RFM.
18C.2.6 HF radios are not used during refuelling, and the radar is switched to standby.
18C.2.7 A fuel quality check is witnessed by the flight crew prior to refuelling.
18C.2.8 The aircraft, fuel supply and fuel hose are grounded before removing the fuel cap
and inserting the fuel nozzle into the aircraft fuel tank.
18C.3 After refuelling, a member of the crew verifies to the flight crew the fuel quantity uplifted
and that all equipment has been removed, the fuel cap has been replaced securely and the
aircraft is properly configured for flight.
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HELIDECK
Guidance documents
Fuel Exhaustion/ (Hot) Refuelling Fuel Flight Offshore Fuel Fuel Testing/
Contamination Procedures Checks Planning Alternates Reserves Inspection
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HELIDECK
19A. Purpose
Ensuring personnel have appropriate training, qualifications, knowledge, skills, and experience.
19B. Expectations
Ground operations staff, including check-in and security staff, are appropriately qualified,
experienced, and competent.
19C.1 There is a training programme which provides ground operations staff with appropriate initial
and subsequent training, as defined by their roles and responsibilities, and includes details
of the accepted training providers, training syllabi, and persons/organizations responsible for
training.
19C.2 A training and authorization record is maintained for all personnel.
19C.3 All training is tracked in an appropriate process.
19C.4 Ground operations staff are subject to competence assessments at least every three years.
19C.5 Staff involved in passenger/baggage/freight handling are trained in dangerous goods
handling.
19C.6 For further information, see IOGP Report 690-2, Section 4 - Alcohol and Drugs and IOGP
Report 697 - Helidecks and facilities, Section 8 - Personnel Training.
Guidance documents
• ICAO Annex 17
• ICAO Annex 18
• HeliOffshore Safety Performance Model
• IOGP Report 697 - Helidecks and facilities
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