The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is delaying by one year the effective date of the Helicopter Air Ambulance, Commercial Helicopter, and Part 91 Helicopter Operations final rule published on Feb. 21, 2014.
According to a notice scheduled for publication in the Federal Register on April 21, 2014, the FAA has determined that the rule’s original effective date of April 22, 2014 does not provide an adequate amount of time for the affected certificate holders to implement the new requirements. By extending the effective date to April 22, 2015, the affected certificate holders will have sufficient time to implement the new requirements, the FAA states.
Although the rule is largely geared toward helicopter air ambulance operators, all Federal Aviation Regulations Part 135 helicopter operators are impacted by the rule. As one example, pilots are currently required to complete written or oral knowledge testing and a flight competency check every 12 calendar months. New § 135.293(a)(9) requires rotorcraft pilots to complete knowledge testing on “procedures for aircraft handling in flat-light, whiteout, and brownout conditions, including methods for recognizing and avoiding those conditions” during their next written or oral test after April 22, 2014. New § 135.293(c) requires rotorcraft pilots to complete “a demonstration of the pilot’s ability to maneuver the rotorcraft solely by reference to instruments” during their next competency check after April 22, 2014.
In order to implement these new requirements, certificate holders must complete several steps, such as developing the procedures for testing aircraft handling in flat-light, whiteout, and brownout conditions; revising the approved training program to address the new requirements; and training instructors and check pilots prior to beginning the training, testing, and checking of rotorcraft pilots. In its latest notice for the Federal Register, the FAA acknowledges that the April 22, 2014 compliance date does not provide adequate time for certificate holders to complete these necessary steps, and therefore the compliance date will be delayed to April 22, 2015.
However, the FAA has determined that provisions with delayed compliance dates in the Helicopter Air Ambulance, Commercial Helicopter, and Part 91 Helicopter Operations final rule do not need to be extended under this action, as the FAA will have sufficient time to prepare guidance for regulated entities in advance of the compliance dates for these provisions. Specifically, the FAA is not extending the compliance dates of the following provisions:
135.160, Radio altimeters for rotorcraft operations – compliance date April 24, 2017.
135.168, Emergency equipment: Overwater rotorcraft operations (406 MHz emergency locator transmitter) – compliance date April 24, 2017.
135.603, Pilot-in-command instrument qualifications – compliance date April 24, 2017.
135.605, Helicopter terrain awareness and warning system (HTAWS) – compliance date April 24, 2017.
135.607, Flight Data Monitoring System – compliance date April 23, 2018.
135.619, Operations control centers – compliance date April 22, 2016.
To read the pre-publication notice on the Federal Register website, click here.
In an emailed notice to members, the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) said it has worked closely with the Air Medical Operators Association (AMOA) and Helicopter Association International (HAI) in requesting this extension so the FAA can work with the industry to develop the proper guidance, technical specifications, and regulatory changes necessary for a smooth and effective implementation of the rule.
“AAMS remains supportive of the substance of the rule and thanks the FAA for providing the time necessary for its reasonable implementation,” the notice stated. “We hope the FAA will continue to work with AAMS, AMOA, and HAI throughout the implementation process to ensure the most effective regulatory environment with the maximum possible safety benefit.”
