Safety Recommendation
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that the Civil
Aviation Safety Authority, in conjunction with the relevant
industry associations, assess the desirability of a requirement for
Helicopter Underwater Escape Training for specialist aerial work
operations, such as water-bombing in support of fire fighting
operations.
The following response was received from the Civil Aviation
Safety Authority on 6 February 2004:
Aviation Safety Standards has reviewed this recommendation and
proposes to test the desirability of Helicopter Underwater Escape
Training (HUET) with industry through the issue of a Discussion
Paper or similar consultative arrangement. CASA expects that this
issue will be canvassed when the post implementation review of
Civil Aviation Safety Regulation (CASR) Part 133 occurs.
Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET) was reviewed as
part of the CASR Part 133 Discussion Paper DP00060S, however this
was in a general sense only, with specific references being
attached to over-water operations more than 10nm from land and for
Marine Pilot Transfer (MPT) operations.
The following section from the discussion paper refers:
Comment 93 - DP Ref 133.825 - Life
Jackets
There were five responses to paragraph 133.825. Two
disagreed with the donning requirements, two questioned
the use of lifejackets in amphibious operations and one made
reference to CAO 20.11 requirements.
CASA response
The proposed rule generally duplicates the requirements of
Part 91, however, CASA believes that there is merit in emphasising
when flotation equipment must be carried. Accordingly, the
proposed rule has been amended to that effect. A
requirement for underwater escape training has been
inserted for crew members engaged in regular overwater
operations.
Disposition
Paragraph 133.825 has been amended.
Therefore with respect to this particular recommendation CASA
has consulted as outlined except that consultation was within the
general terms outlined in the draft CASR Part 133 and not
specifically in regard to Aerial Fire Fighting operations.
Aerial Fire Fighting Operations which are outlined in CASR Part
133 T.7 require the operator's operations manual to include a
supplement that deals with fire fighting operations and do not
specifically address the content of that supplement or the need for
HUET.
It is envisaged that as part of the process of assessing the
Operations Manual supplement that deals with fire fighting
operations, and within the priorities of its ongoing surveillance
program, CASA will be reviewing the standard operating procedures
of operators who conduct such operations with the view of assessing
how effectively they are addressing the risks associated with this
issue.
