Appendix A A-10
b. Briefing. The pilot or his or her designee must make the pretakeoff briefing. The type of operation will determine what sort of briefing is given, but the briefing should always include:
(1) The use and operation of seatbelts for takeoff, en route, and landing. Place emphasis on how to release the specific kind of seatbelt installed in the particular rotorcraft. Helicopters do not always use automotive type releases; for instance, some belts use buckles that rotate to open.
(2) The location and use of flotation gear and other survival equipment that might be onboard, and how and when to “abandon ship” if a ditching is necessary.
(3) For flights over rough or isolated terrain, tell all occupants where maps and survival gear are located.
(4) Instruct each person on board in what actions and precautions to take during an emergency, and how and when to exit after landing in the event of an emergency. Ensure that passengers are aware of the location of fire extinguishers, pyrotechnic signaling devices, life preservers, and other survival equipment. Explain the location and methods of opening normal and emergency exits. The FAA encourages use of a diagram or pictorial display on a passenger briefing card.
(5) Prohibit smoking within 50 feet of a rotorcraft.
(6) The conditions of the landing determine what persons should hear in a departing briefing.
For example, if on a hill, depart downhill. If this involves walking around the helicopter to avoid the area of lowest rotor clearance, always go around the front, never the rear. The operator may adapt the diagrams included in AC 91-32, Safety In and Around Helicopters, to include in a briefing card.
Appendix B APPENDIX B. HAND SIGNALS Move to Left: Right arm extended horizontally sideways in direction of movement and other arm swung in front of body in same direction, in a repeating movement.
Day Night Stop: Arms held crossed overhead.
Day Night B-1
Appendix B Release External Load: Left arm extended forward horizontally, fist clenched, right hand making horizontal slicing movement below the left fist, palm downward.
Day Night Takeoff: The right hand is moved in a circular motion overhead, ending in a throwing motion in the direction of takeoff. Also means load clear, hookup good.
Day Night B-2
Appendix B Hover: Arms extended horizontally sideways, palms downward.
Day Night Move Forward: moved upward-backward from shoulder height. Arms a little aside, palms facing backward and repeatedly Day Night B-3
Appendix B Affirmative Signal: Hand raised, thumb up.
Day Night Negative Signal: Hand raised, thumb down.
Day Night B-4
Appendix B Land: Arms crossed and extended downward in front of the body.
Day Night ALP Cut Engine(s): Either arm and hand level with shoulder, hand moving across throat.
Day Night B-5
Appendix B Move Hook Down or Up: Right fist held above head: left arm extended horizontally, palm faced outward, then swept down or up to indicate direction of hook movement.
Day Night Hookup: Hands raised alternately above the head in a "rope climbing" motion to take up slack.
Day Night B-6
Appendix B Move Downward: Arms extended horizontally sideways, beckoning downward, with palms turned down.
Day Night Move Upward: Ars extended horizontally sideways, beckoning upward, with palms up.
Day Night B-7
Appendix B Move Rearward: Arms by sides, palms facing forward, arms swept forward and upward repeatedly to shoulder height.
Day Night Move to Right: Left arm extended horizontally sideways in direction of movement and other arm swung overhead in same direction, in a Day repeating movement.
Night B-8
Appendix C C-1 APPENDIX C. POSSIBILITY OF D-RING REVERSAL OR DYNAMIC ROLLOUT
DURING WINCHING OR LONG LINE OPERATIONS C.1 Background.
1. Unintended disconnection between the helicopter winch hook and the primary engaging ring on the occupant’s rescue harness typically occurs during a pause in the winching sequence, when the ring in the rescue strop and the hook are temporarily relieved of the load. With no weight on the hook and ring, under the dynamic conditions of this type of operation, it becomes easy for the ring to travel up and flip over the tip of the hook and to rest on the spring-loaded keeper. The ring is now only supported by the spring-loaded keeper (see Figure C-1, Example of D-Ring Reversal).
Figure C-1. Example of D-Ring Reversal
2.
When the winching sequence commences, the load is reapplied, and the ring opens the spring-loaded safety catch and slips off the hook and the occupant or load falls to the ground.
3. HEC rescue winch hooks with exposed hook tips, such as the MS 18027-2A, do not prevent D-ring reversal or deflect the primary engaging ring safely back into the throat of the hook (see Figure C-2, MS 18027-2A Hook).
4. HEC rescue winch hooks with manually locking keepers or guards have a hand-operated mechanical latch or keeper lock, in addition to spring pressure used to initially close the keeper. Such designs are intended to prevent partial
Appendix C C-2 hook engagement and deflect the primary engaging ring safely back into the throat of the hook, thus preventing D-ring reversal (see Figures C-3, Hook with a Mechanical Lock Latch Gate Design, and C-4, Hook with a Simple Spring-Loaded Safety Latch or Keeper).
Figure C-2. MS 18027-2A Hook
Fi gure C-3. Hook with a Mechanical Lock Latch Gate Design
Appendix C C-3 Figure C-4. Hook with a Simple Spring-Loaded Safety Latch or Keeper
C.2 R ecommend Action.
1. Develop procedures which list the specific D-rings or equipment which may be attached to a specific rescue hook wherein the possibility of D-ring reversal is physically impossible.
2. Use only rescue hooks which have a mechanical locking keeper or guards to prevent ring reversal or dynamic rollout.
3. Ensure winch operational training is tailored for each helicopter type and winch combination and is completed on a regular basis.
4. Operate and maintain winches, hooks, and harnesses in accordance with approved data.