Civil Aviation Act, 2009 (Act No. 13 of 2009)RegulationsCivil Aviation Regulations, 2011Part 133 : Helicopter External-Load OperationsSubpart 3 : Airworthiness Requirements133.03.1 Flight characteristics requirements |
| (1) | The owner or operator of a helicopter engaged in an external-load operation shall demonstrate to the Director, by performing the operational night checks prescribed in subregulation (3), (4) or (5), as the case may be, that the helicopter-load combination to be used in the operations has satisfactory flight characteristics. |
| (2) | For the purposes of the demonstration, the external-load mass, including the external-load attaching means, is the maximum mass for which authorisation is requested. |
| (3) | In the case of a Class A helicopter-load combination the operational flight check shall consist of at least the following manoeuvres: |
| (a) | Take-off and landing; |
| (b) | demonstration of adequate directional control while hovering; |
| (c) | acceleration from a hover; and |
| (d) | horizontal flight at airspeeds up to the maximum airspeed for which authorisation is requested. |
| (4) | In the case of a Class B and a Class D helicopter-load combination the operational flight check shall consist of at least the following manoeuvres: |
| (a) | Pick up of the external load; |
| (b) | demonstration of adequate directional control while hovering; |
| (c) | acceleration from a hover; |
| (d) | horizontal flight at airspeeds up to the maximum airspeed for which authorisation is requested; |
| (e) | demonstrating appropriate lifting device operation; and |
| (f) | manoeuvring of the external load into release position and its release, under probable flight operation conditions, by means of each of the quick-release controls installed on the helicopter. |
| (5) | In the case of a Class C helicopter-load combination used in wire-stringing, cable-laying, or similar operations, the operational flight check shall consist of the appropriate manoeuvres prescribed in subregulation (4). |