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Elements and Performance Criteria
- Plan low-level operations
- Low-level operational hazards are identified, evaluated and risk managed, and appropriate decision is made concerning the safe conduct of these operations
- Aircraft type and performance is assessed as appropriate for low-level operations
- Consultation with all relevant stakeholders involved in a low-level operation is completed to confirm task/operating requirements
- Pre-flight inspection is correctly performed, and aircraft serviceability type and performance are determined as appropriate for the task
- Actual and forecast weather conditions are analysed for effects on low-level operations
- Area of low-level operations is identified using chart and geographical features, including the boundary where low flying may commence, and normal flight altitude is required
- Action plans for the operation are formulated to ensure safe and effective operation of a helicopter at low level
- Unplanned manoeuvres are avoided
- Compliance is maintained with air traffic control (ATC) instructions, regulatory and reporting requirements
- Manoeuvre helicopter at low level
- Effects of wind velocity, false horizons, rising ground and mountainous terrain are managed, and control of helicopter is correctly maintained
- Visual attention is focused outside the cockpit
- Lookout is maintained using a systematic scan technique at a rate determined by traffic density, visibility and/or terrain
- Natural horizon is used as primary attitude reference
- Nose of aircraft is cleared to ensure forward visibility when appropriate
- Situational awareness is maintained at all times during low-level manoeuvres
- Helicopter is safely manoeuvred adjacent to power lines and wires
- All obstacles are identified and appropriately and safely avoided
- Personnel, animals, vehicles and buildings are identified and appropriately and safely avoided
- Height is maintained by visual reference to earth’s surface when below 500 ft above ground level (AGL)
- Weather conditions are monitored and appropriate responses made
- Fuel status is monitored and appropriate responses made
- Local and published noise abatement requirements and curfews are observed
- Perform quick stop manoeuvre
- Aircraft is turned and decelerated or decelerated and turned, maintaining height by controlled action, to terminate to the hover at nominated hover point, into wind
- Deceleration/acceleration manoeuvres are conducted within the time and distance limitations specified while maintaining a constant height above the surface
- Wind velocity is estimated and is appropriately taken into account in manoeuvres
- Helicopter inertia is anticipated and appropriate allowance made in manoeuvres
- Situation awareness is maintained at all times during a quick stop manoeuvre
- Obstructions are identified, and are appropriately and safely avoided
- Execute forced landing from 200 ft AGL
- Appropriate immediate actions are performed
- Landing area within autorotative distance is selected and appropriate action plan is formulated
- Emergency procedures are performed
- Emergency radio messages of intentions are transmitted
- Helicopter is landed and shut down as required
- Operate at low level in hilly terrain
- Safe operating heights relevant to low-level operation type are established and maintained
- Terrain flight following techniques are applied during low-level operations
- Appropriate geographical features and markers are identified and selected to aid situational awareness
- Rising and falling ground/terrain is identified and approached using safe flying techniques, including identifying abort points and escape routes
- Effects of wind and turbulence in hilly terrain, including lee effects, are identified and managed
- Spatial disorientation factors relevant to low-level operations are identified and applied to low-level manoeuvres
Range Statement