Page 237 - UK Air Operations Regulations 201121

Part CAT - ANNEX IV - Commercial Air Transport Operations

type(s) of aircraft and operation(s) concerned.
(b) The use of operating sites shall only apply to:
(1) other-than complex motor-powered aeroplanes; and
(2) helicopters.
CAT.OP.MPA.105 AMC1 Use of aerodromes and operating sites
DEFINING OPERATING SITES — HELICOPTERS
When defining operating sites (including infrequent or temporary sites) for the type(s) of helicopter(s)
and operation(s) concerned, the operator should take account of the following:
(a) An adequate site is a site that the operator considers to be satisfactory, taking account of
the applicable performance requirements and site characteristics (guidance on standards
and criteria are contained in ICAO Annex 14 Volume 2 and in the ICAO Heliport Manual
(Doc 9261-AN/903)).
(b) The operator should have in place a procedure for the survey of sites by a competent
person. Such a procedure should take account of possible changes to the site
characteristics which may have taken place since last surveyed.
(c) Sites that are pre-surveyed should be specifically specified in the operations manual. The
operations manual should contain diagrams or/and ground and aerial photographs, and
depiction (pictorial) and description of:
(1) the overall dimensions of the site;
(2) location and height of relevant obstacles to approach and take-off profiles, and in the
manoeuvring area;
(3) approach and take-off flight paths;
(4) surface condition (blowing dust/snow/sand);
(5) helicopter types authorised with reference to performance requirements;
(6) provision of control of third parties on the ground (if applicable);
(7) procedure for activating site with land owner or controlling authority;
(8) other useful information, for example, appropriate ATS agency and frequency; and
(9) lighting (if applicable).
(d) For sites that are not pre-surveyed, the operator should have in place a procedure that
enables the pilot to make, from the air, a judgment on the suitability of a site. (c)(1) to (c)(6)
should be considered.
(e) Operations to non-pre-surveyed sites by night (except in accordance with SPA.HEMS.125
(b)(4)) should not be permitted.
CAT.OP.MPA.106 Use of isolated aerodromes — aeroplanes
(a) Using an isolated aerodrome as destination aerodrome with aeroplanes requires the prior
approval by the CAA.
(b) An isolated aerodrome is one for which the alternate and final fuel reserve required to the
nearest adequate destination alternate aerodrome is more than:
(1) for aeroplanes with reciprocating engines, fuel to fly for 45 minutes plus 15 % of the
flying time planned to be spent at cruising level or two hours, whichever is less; or
(2) for aeroplanes with turbine engines, fuel to fly for two hours at normal cruise
consumption above the destination aerodrome, including final reserve fuel.
CAT.OP.MPA.107 Adequate aerodrome
The operator shall consider an aerodrome as adequate if, at the expected time of use, the aerodrome
is available and equipped with necessary ancillary services such as air traffic services (ATS),
sufficient lighting, communications, weather reporting, navigation aids and emergency services.
CAT.OP.MPA.107 AMC1 Adequate aerodrome
RESCUE AND FIREFIGHTING SERVICES (RFFS)
When considering the adequacy of an aerodrome’s rescue and firefighting services (RFFS), the
operator should:
(a) as part of its management system, assess the level of RFFS protection available at the
aerodrome intended to be specified in the operational flight plan in order to ensure that an
acceptable level of protection is available for the intended operation; and
(b) include relevant information related to the RFFS protection that is deemed acceptable by
the operator in the operations manual.
CAT.OP.MPA.107 GM1 Adequate aerodrome
RESCUE AND FIREFIGHTING SERVICES (RFFS)
Guidance on the assessment of the level of an aerodrome’s RFFS may be found in Attachment I to
ICAO Annex 6 Part I.
CAT.OP.MPA.110 Aerodrome operating minima
(a) The operator shall establish aerodrome operating minima for each departure, destination
or alternate aerodrome planned to be used. These minima shall not be lower than those
established for such aerodromes by the State in which the aerodrome is located, except
when specifically approved by that State. Any increment specified by the CAA shall be
added to the minima.
(b) The use of a head-up display (HUD), head-up guidance landing system (HUDLS) or
enhanced vision system (EVS) may allow operations with lower visibilities than the
established aerodrome operating minima if approved in accordance with SPA.LVO.
(c) When establishing aerodrome operating minima, the operator shall take the following into
account:
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