There are currently no regulatory requirements for helicopters
engaged in single-pilot commercial or aerial work under the Night
Visual Flight Rules (NVFR), which are not Instrument Flight Rules
(IFR) equipped, to have an autopilot or stability augmentation
system (SAS). These systems would permit pilots to safely cope with
the high workloads encountered during NVFR flight.
Autopilot Systems
Helicopters not equipped with an autopilot or stabilisation system
may be more difficult to maintain in a trimmed condition during
inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions, or
when operating during a flight under the NVFR in low celestial or
artificial lighting conditions. An autopilot or stability
augmentation system would decrease pilot workload, which may be
excessive during flights of this type.
Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority Civil Aviation Order
(CAO) Part 95.7.3 includes a requirement for helicopters to be
fitted with an autopilot system if it is engaged in a charter
marine pilot transfer of more that 10 nautical miles from land, and
crewed by one pilot.
The Helicopter Association of Australia recently drafted a paper
called 'Night Operations Risk Reduction Checklist'. This checklist
is being developed to allow operators to evaluate the risk related
to night operations. The checklist allows allocation of points to
each item that contributes to the safety of operations (out of a
maximum of ten points per item). The checklist allocates four
points to an operator whose helicopter had an automatic flight
control system and four points to a helicopter fitted with a
stability augmentation system.
Analysis
The inclusion of a requirement for an autopilot or stability
augmentation system in a helicopter being crewed by a single pilot
during flight under the NVFR would reduce the workload on the pilot
during demanding single pilot operations. Additionally, an auto
pilot or stability augmentation system could afford a pilot
affected by spatial disorientation additional time to reorient him
or herself.
Safety Recommendation
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that the
Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority assess the safety
benefits of requiring an autopilot or stability augmentation system
in all single pilot helicopter operating flight under the NVFR, in
the Charter and Aerial Work category, excluding dual pilot
training.
Issues raised in the recommendations relate to Civil Aviation
Safety Regulation (CASR) Part 133, which is currently under review.
Therefore, until the review is complete, CASA is unable to provide
the ATSB with any substantial comment.
CASA has reviewed the recommendation and believes that it will
be addressed with the introduction of CASR Part 133. Included in
CASR Part 133 is a general statement that provides practical and
effective approach to this aspect of the safety of NVFR flight in
rotorcraft. An extract from that Part is provided below for your
information.
133.360 Instruments and equipment- General
Subparagraph (2)
For a night VFR flight by a rotorcraft involving flight over water
beyond a distance from land at which a coastline would be visible
at night in VMC at 500ft amsl, or over land areas where rotorcraft
attitude cannot be maintained by adequate illumination of surface
features or by reference to ground illumination of surface features
or by reference to ground lighting or a visible discernible
horizon, the operator must ensure that the rotorcraft:
a) is equipped with an approved automatic pilot; or
b) is equipped with an approved automatic stabilisation system;
or
c) carries a 2 pilot crew.
In December 2006 the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)
published Civil Aviation Advisory Publication 5.13-2(0) Night
Visual Flight Rules Rating. This advisory included safety
information on night flying with the intent of assisting flight
instructors and flying schools in providing appropriate training to
Night VFR pilots. Additionally, CASA advised that Civil Aviation
Safety Regulation Part 61 Flight crew licensing will
incorporate a biennial flight review requirement.
