WISHING

YOU ALL A VERY SAFE AND HAPPY ELECTION

FLYING

PRECAUTIONS
TO BETAKEN
FOR
ELECTION
FLYING

OFFICE OF THE

ECTOR OF AVIAnON

Govt. of Gujarat
AGFC Hangar Old Airport
AHMEDABAD-380003

DO'S & DON'TS

WISHING

YOU ALLAVERY

SAFE AND HAPPY ELECTION

WISHING

FLYING

YOU ALL A VERY SAFE AND HAPPY ELECTION

FLYING

Pre-Election Helicopter Flying

After a lull - no helicopter accident in 2006-07 up
to 31.3.07, the Calendar Year 2007 had the dubious
distinction of having had seven major accidents to
civil registered helicopters in India.
These accidents

which resulted

in loss of

precious lives including those of highly trained and

experienced

helicopter pilots have brought into

sharp focus, the safety aspects

of helicopter

operations within the country.

While it is true that these accidents have been
investigated by the proper authorities, there is a
growing feeling among professionals that many
contributory factors causing these accidents may
not see the light of day, due to various factors.

Ar area in which accident

is waiting to occur is

Pre-Election flying. On numerous occasions, the

Printed at
apr brothers, 71, mallan ponnappan

DO'S & DON'TS

Rotary Wing Society India has drawn the attention

street, chennai 600 005

DO'S & DON'TS

WISHING

YOU ALL A VERY SAFE AND HAPPY ELECTION

FLYING

WISHING

YOU ALL A VERY SAFE AND HAPPY ELECTION

of authorities concerned to the problems being

of helicopter

faced by the operators in this area. Since majority

concerned about the safe and efficient conduct

of the problems involve political parties using the

of the election

helicopter

interests have to be taken care of, yet safety of

services for pre election

campaign,

enforcement of the strict safety guidelines published

by the Regulator (DGCA) has not been possible.

flying.

in the country,
Although

it is

commercial

the operations is of paramount importance.

We are aware of the fact that we have highly

Election flying is a highly demanding exercise

in terms of skill levels, professionalism

operations

FLYING

and tact.

qualified and competent

for the management

aviation professionals

of operations

in the field.

Long flying hours, large number of take off and

However, many operators are managed by non

landings, weather changes, lack of proper rest

aviation professionals.

and recuperation

our duty to bring

arrangements,

hurriedly

We therefore consider it

to the notice

of

prepared helipads, frequent changes in itinerary,

Operations,

time management,

some do,s and don't,s which would certainly be

arrangements,

highly
crowd

stretched

control,

security

of immense

congested

airspace, lack of adequate communication

and

pilots, engineers

of Chief

and technicians

help if implemented

in letter and

spi rit.

airspace management. Commercial interests and

language barrier are some of the challenges of
Air Vice Marshal

election flying.

K.Sridharan VM (G) (Retd.)

RWSI being the nodal agency for the conduct

DO'S & DON'TS

President,RWSI

DO'S & DON'TS

WISHING

YOU ALLAVERY

SAFE AND HAPPY ELECTION

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY SAFE AND HAPPY ELECTION

FLYING

DO'S

3. Update

1. Discuss with your operator and hiring agency:

a. The database on all Airports in your area of

operations.

a. Area of Operations.
b. Likely
Duration
of operations
Anticipated Flying Effort.

and

c.

and

Suggested
base of operations
administrative arrangements.

b. The special procedures if any required to

be followed for all highly active airports.
(Interact with pilots who have in the area).
c. The nav equipment and also the maps
required. A local road map would be very
much required.

2. Discuss with your maintenance

a. The required maintenance planning as per
anticipated flying effort.
b. The required manning as per company
policy especially keeping in mind flying of
VI Ps (AME has to carry out DI for the
flight(s)). Insist for a separate person for
barrel refueling in field if anticipated.
c.

FLYING

d. Keep a format of incident report in hand

along with telephone numbers of the
required Directorate of Flight Safety.
4. Inform the Party
a.

c. The requirements and responsibility of

providing accurate helipad coordinates
security and precautions for a dusty helipad
as per Circular / Letter issued by DGCA.

d. Serviceability of the barrel refueling pump

and associated testing equipment.
6

point

b. The requirements of Temporary Helipad as

per CAR.

Availability of fuel carnet with adequate

funds for refueling must be ensured. Obtain
credit bill authority from the IOC / HP etc. for
getting fuel in barrels based on anticipated
flying effort.

DO'S & DON'TS

Requirement of providing single

contact for the entire duration.

DO'S & DON'TS

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY SAFE AND HAPPY ELECTION

FLYING

WISHING

5. All programmed plans must reach the pilot

minimum 2 days before. All permissions to land
must be given by preceding evening prior to the flight.
Permissions
must be given by District
Authorities and approved by Returning Officer.

10. Ensure that you have permission in writing'

from the district authorities for landing at helipads.
No verbal assurance should be accepted. Insist
and receive written copy of permission.
11. In some places due to language barrier there
may be communication gap. Ensure that you
have reliable person who is familiar with the local
language.

7. Collect maps, charts, frequencies, airfield

operating hours, location of restricted, prohibited
and dangerous area, telephone numbers of the
airports,
availability
and
booking
of
accommodation etc.

12. Always give call before take off, on important

pin points, before descent, for approach and
landing. Keep a very good listening watch and
sharp look out.

8. Meet the ATC, met and security personnel at

the detachment
location and organize a co
ordination meeting with these officials and other
operators who will also be operating in same
areas. Work out the common frequencies to be
used and share the flying programme with other
operators.

DO'S & DON'TS

FLYING

is good but know your position on the map at all

times. Make sure to get the exact co- ordinates
of the helipads from your clients and cross check
and reconfi rm.

6. Plan your expected flying and maintenance

activities in advance keeping in mind schedule
servicing activities and stock up spares, fuel and
oil etc for detachments as required.

9. Collect the itinerary from the clients in advance

and plan your sortie thoroughly. GPS navigation

YOU ALL A VERY SAFE AND HAPPY ELECTION

13. Exercise extra caution while refueling from

barrels. Remember fuel is life.

14. During trial landings, brief the security, fire

fighting and helipad maintenance staff about the
requirements of safety of the operations.

DO'S & DON'TS

WISHING

YOU ALL A VERY SAFE AND HAPPY ELECTION

FLYING

WISHING

15. Know your last landing time, cater for

unexpected .delays, Always plan to land half an
hour before sunset so that in case of some delay
you still have time in your hand.
16. Security
and crowd control
must be
discussed with the organisers and insisted upon.
Security in the hostile area poses a major
challenge and special care must be taken.
17. Brief the ground staff about the likelihood of
people walking in to the tail rotor and take
special precautions. Make sure that tail rotor area
is always kept clear. Use engineer and co pilot if
required to prevent people from walking into tail
rotor.
-18. Dusty helipad is a dangerous helipad. Brief
the ground staff to sprinkle water and ensure that
there is no dust is likely to be kicked up during
landing and take off.
19. Standard
size helipads
meeting
the
requirement of CAR only should be accepted.
Make sure that no fresh communication cables
with poles, flags have been erected. Very sharp

DO'S & DON'TS

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YOU ALL A VERY SAFE AND HAPPY ELECTION

FLYING

look out is must before and during take off and

landings.
20. Ensure that there are no loose flying articles
like caps, dupattas,
lungis, head scarves,
polythene, flags, dhoti's and rag pieces etc in the
vicinity. Keep a good look out for these during
take off and landings.
21. Check your load, fuel, power required,
available, size, elevation and surface condition
of the helipad and obstructions around it.
22. G~t proper and comprehensive weather brief
from 'met and local sources before undertaking
any sortie. Keep abreast with the likely changes
in weather conditions in your area of operations.
Never take chance with weather.
23. With winter and foggy season around the
corner, poor visibility
and low clouds are
expected to be major hazards Wide spread
fog with poor visibility is a serious situation and
special precautions need to be observed while
flying during winter months.

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DO'S & DON'TS

WISHING

YOU ALL A VERY SAFE AND HAPPY ELECTION

FLYING

WISHING

24. Most of election flying is undertaken at low

levels. Hence, the need for a good look out for
obstructions,
pylons, towers, ropeways etc
becomes very important. Marking these on your
maps and communicating their existence to other
pilots/ operators is essential.
25. Ensure that you do not exceed your FDTL
and FTL.
26. Engineer and technicians must be briefed to
be extra vigilant in their conduct of maintenance
activities. Dusty environment operations is a
major factor to be kept in mind and thoroughness
and professionalism is the need of the hour in
maintenance activities.
27. Ground staff must be briefed for arranging
suitable resting place and arrangement
of
refreshments etc for the crew at helipads/landing
places.

YOU ALLAVERY

SAFE AND HAPPY ELECTION

FLYING

29. Concerned officials must be made aware in

advance about the limitations
of helicopter
operations and crew
30. Reach your base of operations and organize
a coordination
meeting with ATC, Met and
Security officials in consultation
with other
operators operating in the same area. Work out
the common frequencies to be used and share
the flying programme (if possible) with other
operators.
31. Establish contact with Party Coordinator and
work out working procedures.
Arrange all
programmes
and permissions
received
in
vernacular are correctly translated for operation
requirements.
32. Prepare your nav plan and confirm / double
confirm the helipad locations through maps / local
maps / Google Earth / Party Coordinator. Remind
him to get water sprinkled on the helipad.

28. Comfortable
rest and recuperation
accommodation and suitable transportation is
essential for the air and ground crew after flying
and this point must be emphasized
to the
concerned authorities.

33. Brief your rep accompanying

the barrel
refueling vehicle about the place, likely ETA and
coordination
procedures.
Give the required
authority letter for carriage of fuel.

DO'S & DON'TS

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DO'S & DON'TS

WISHING

YOU ALL A VERY SAFE AND HAPPY ELECTION

WISHING

FLYING

YOU ALL A VERY SAFE AND HAPPY ELECTION

FLYING

34. Ensure
proper fuel planning
as per
programme received and simultaneously work
out your passenger manifests and T/O C of G.

crowd control measures are in place. If required

Reject A Helipad. Your earnestness will be tangibly
felt.

35. Prepare the required flight plans and fax them

to the required FIC. Confirm receipt too.

41. Delays will be a norm. Remember to your last

landing time and stick to it. It is 30 mins before
sunset.

36. Any delays at start on the days programme will

have a concertina effect on the entire plan for the
day. Ensure to keep the VIP informed about delays.
Amend ETDs as required with the FIC and MLU.
37. Carry out your pax briefing daily / with change
of pax religiously. Inform/Insist the PS / PA travelling
with VIP to ensure suitable rest / refreshments for
the crew at halts. Brief the Copilot / AME / Technician
on board with respect to embarking
and
disembarking procedures to be followed.

42. Monitor your FTL and FDTL as per CAR in

force.
43. Remember the DGCA and the Helicopter
Fraternity is always going to respect / stand by your
decisions as' a Captain where safety is concerned.
44. Finally Remember Your Responsibility to the
Helicopter Fraternity. Any incident/mishap with you
is a reflection on the entire Helicopter Fraternity.
DONTs

38. Keep a check on the weather at departure /

enroute / destination. Be ready with contingency
planning and diversions. Ensure that you always
carry a small overnight kit.
39. Give RT calls before each T/O and Landing.
40. At each helipad must carry out a high recce.
Ensure all temp helipad requirements, security and
DO'S & DON'TS

14

45. Do not accept a change in plan at the last

moment.
46. Do not succumb to any pressure be it from the
VI P / Party / Operator.
47. Never take chances with weather.
delay diversion if necessary.

15

Do not

DO'S & DON'TS

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY SAFE AND HAPPY ELECTION

FLYING

48. Never press on in poor visibility conditions. If

required land at a suitable site.
49. Never accept substandard helipads.
50. Do not compromise
commercial interest.

safety at the cost of

51. Do not be overconfident and do not succumb

to the temptation of showing off.
52. Do not hesitate to say no if safety is likely to
be compromised.
53. Do not fly partially serviceable

helicopter.

54. Do not pressurize maintenance staff to rush

up maintenance

activities.

55. Do not take short cuts in operations

maintenance.

and

Wishing you all a very safe and happy

election flying.

OFFICE OF 1HE OIREC10R.OF ~VI~110N

Govt. of GUlara~

AGFC Hangar Old Alrp,ort

DO'S & DON'TS

AHMEDABAD-380003

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