Elements and Performance Criteria
- Plan rappelling operations
- Tasking requirements are identified, including operational variations
- Crew and equipment required to ensure safe achievement of task are determined
- Helicopter performance data is interpreted and calculated to ensure suitability of aircraft for rappelling operations
- Transit, rappelling operation communications and recovery is planned in accordance with workplace procedures
- Operations at rappelling site including obstructions, terrain and any factors that may adversely affect deployment, are planned
- Abnormal and emergency rappelling situation contingency procedures are planned
- Conduct pre-flight briefings
- Rappelling operational requirements are briefed and confirmed
- Location, terrain features (sea state as applicable) and forecast weather conditions are obtained and confirmed
- Timings, route/s, airspeeds and altitudes are confirmed
- Relevant personnel are briefed about pilot, crew and rappelling personnel responsibilities and communication procedures
- Abnormal and emergency rappelling situation contingency procedures are briefed
- Operate helicopter
- Adequacy of hover power margin and control limits to perform rappelling operations is checked and maintained
- Site inspection, approach and hover heading are determined in accordance with operational requirements
- Descent and approach are controlled to terminate over rappelling site
- Control is applied to helicopter to maintain position over rappelling site
- Obstacle clearances to obstructions, constructions and terrain are maintained during deployment and/or retrieval operation
- Effective communications with crew and relevant personnel are maintained during operation
- Safety and security of passengers and/or cargo is managed
- Rappelling ropes are recovered and/or detached, and site is vacated in accordance with workplace procedures
- Manage abnormal and emergency situations
- Helicopter control is maintained
- Abnormal and/or emergency situations are identified and managed
- Rappelling equipment/personnel are safely jettisoned (as required) when flight safety or hover stability is compromised
- Conduct post-flight briefings
- Operating procedures and flight outcomes are reviewed and analysed
- Effectiveness, efficiency and performance of equipment is analysed and reported
- Inspection, servicing and stowage of rappelling equipment is organised/confirmed