6-4
6.5 Initial or Annual Flight Observations. The training should specify that, after successfully completing all the training as outlined in the CH’s or operator’s specific training approved by the Administrator, each pilot should receive a KSSA flight observation, and the following should be emphasized:
6.5.1 All pilots should have satisfactorily passed a KSSA flight observation since the beginning of the 12th calendar month before that service, within a grace period of one month before and after the due month. This observation should consist of:
• Satisfactory completion of a written or oral test that especially emphasizes preflight and cue-based weather evaluation and aeronautical decision making and B048 conditions and limitations to be observed while conducting air tour operations, and
• Satisfactory completion of a flight observation that includes at least one representative KSSA (subsequent flight observations should include different KSSA locations before repeating observations conducted at previously observed KSSA locations ).
6.5.2 KSSA flight observations should be conducted by the Administrator or a person approved by the Administrator.
6.5.3 Upon satisfactory completion of a KSSA flight observation, all events should be recorded on a CH- or operator-produced form accepted by the Administrator. The recording of tasks, as per the CH’s or operator’s FAA-approved training and FAA-accepted operating procedures, should be completed by the person conducting the flight observation.
Recurrent KSSA flight observations conducted in compliance with OpSpec B048 conditions and limitations should be conducted in the same timeframe as other regulatory checks such as § 135.293. They should also allow for a grace month in accordance with § 135.301(a).
6.6 Instructor Qualifications. The CH’s or operator’s training should specify that the FAA inspector or FAA-authorized air tour operations observation pilot will conduct an initial observation of each CH’s or operator’s air tour operations instructor while the instructor provides training in procedures and maneuvers in accordance with this chapter. The performance of the instructor being observed should be satisfactory before the conditions and limitations are satisfied and the instructor may be accepted as an air tour operations instructor by the FAA.
6.6.1 All pilot training and evaluation records (ground and flight) should be maintained by the holder of OpSpec/LOA B048 for the period of the pilot’s employment, at the CH’s or operator’s principal base of operations as registered on the CH’s or operator’s issued OpSpec/LOA A001.
6.7 Pilot Training and Flight Observation Documentation and Recordkeeping.
6.7.1 Pilot ground and flight training records pertaining to KSSA operations should reflect part 135 pilot training recordkeeping policies and procedures. Specific records for air tour training for each air tour profile should include island-specific unique climatology and
6-5 terrain influence upon the aeronautical decision making required to safely navigate the profile, KSSA entry and exit waypoints, all appropriate types of air tour radio calls, knowledge of landmarks commonly used to describe locations of flight hazards, traffic circulation patterns at KSSAs, etc. The training program should specify that KSSA training and flight observations should be documented and should include the following information:
6.7.1.1 Ground Training:
• Name of pilot receiving training,
• Date of completion,
• Total training hours received, and
• Instructor certification.
6.7.1.2 Initial KSSA Familiarization Flight:
• Name of pilot receiving KSSA familiarization;
• Date of flight;
• Flight time (for each familiarization flight);
• KSSA and Hawaiian island(s) flown;
• Aircraft registration number;
• Name, title, and signature of person providing the KSSA familiarization flight; and
• CH or operator certification.
6.7.1.3 KSSA Flight Observation (CH’s or Operator’s Part 136 Form).
6.7.1.3.1 A statement should be entered in the remarks section indicating the pilot is authorized to operate below 1,500 feet above the surface, in accordance with the OpSpec/LOA B048 conditions and limitations.
6.7.1.3.2 Each CH’s or operator’s recordkeeping system for air tour training and flight observations must comply with the pilot recordkeeping set forth under § 135.63. The FAA recommends that § 91.147 air tour operators follow the same pilot training and checking recordkeeping practices as those required for part 135 CHs.
6.7.2 A ll pilot and instructor training and evaluation records (ground and flight) should be maintained by the CH or operator and holder of OpSpec/LOA B048.
6.8 Training Subjects. Training should specify the following for all pilots conducting commercial air tour flights below 1,500 feet above the surface in the State of Hawaii in
6-6 order to remain in VMC and avoid entering IMC, as authorized through OpSpec/LOA B048 (see Table 6-1, Training Subjects and Standards).
6.8.1 Each CH’s or operator’s part 136 new hire/initial/recurrent training should include training on each of the following subjects:
• Mountain flying techniques and high density altitude;
• Controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) avoidance;
• Performance planning;
• Cue-based, island-specific weather training;
• Go/no-go procedures;
• Operations inside the boundaries of a unit of the NPS under an ATMP, a VA, or an IOA;
• Hawaii commercial air tour accident review;
• KSSAs, entry and exit points and procedures to each KSSA location, radio communications protocol, CTAFs, position reports, and revisions to traffic and CTAF advisory procedures over the past year;
• Operations over water, ditching procedures appropriate to equipment being operated;
• Height velocity diagram and raw terrain descriptions (helicopter only);
• Preflight safety risk analysis and weather factors affecting operations;
• Inclement weather, IMC avoidance, escape, and recovery procedures;
• Successful transition to IFR/IMC, if inclement weather avoidance is unsuccessful followed by recovery offshore or via a published IAP to an airport/runway;
• Aircraft-specific equipment and related IFR limitations;
• Familiarization flights;
• Abnormal and emergency procedures;
• Autorotation; and
• Hover autorotation.
6-7 Table 6-1. Recommended Training Subjects and Standards Module Initial Ground Training (2 Hour Minimum) Initial Flight Training Recurrent Ground Training (1 Hour Minimum) Recurrent Flight Training Initial Flight Observations Recurrent Flight Observations Requalification Ground Flight Mountain Flying Techniques X X X X ** X X X * X * Performance Planning and High Density Altitude Ops X X Oral Oral X * CFIT Avoidance X X Oral Oral X * Cue-Based, Island-Specific Weather Evaluation and Aeronautical Decision Making X X Oral Oral X * Inclement Weather, IMC Avoidance, Escape, and Recovery Procedures X X X X X X X * X * Go/No-Go Procedures X X Oral Oral X * Familiarization Flights X X X X X X X * X * Preflight Safety Risk Analysis and Weather Factors Affecting Operation X X X * Operations Inside the Boundaries of a Unit of the NPS Under an ATMP, a VA, or an IOA X X X X ** X X X * X * Hawaii Commercial Air Tour Accident Review X X Oral Oral X * KSSAs, Entry and Exit Points and Procedures to Each KSSA Location, Radio Communications Protocol, CTAF, and Position Reports X At least 1 rep site X X ** X At least 1 rep site X At least 1 rep site X * At least 1 rep site * Operations Over Water, Ditching Procedures Appropriate to Equipment Being Operated X X Oral Oral X
6-8 Module Initial Ground Training (2 Hour Minimum) Initial Flight Training Recurrent Ground Training (1 Hour Minimum) Recurrent Flight Training Initial Flight Observations Recurrent Flight Observations Requalification Ground Flight Height Velocity Diagram and Raw Terrain Descriptions (Helicopter Only) X Oral Oral X * Transition to IFR/IMC, if Inclement Weather Avoidance is Unsuccessful
X X X X X X X X Abnormal and Emergency Procedures
X X X X X X X X Aircraft-Specific Equipment and Related IFR Limitations
X X X X X X X X Autorotation X X X X X Hover Autorotation X X X X X X X X ** Recurrent flight training for pilots should include, at least flight training in the procedures relative to each KSSA, except that satisfactory completion of a recurrent flight evaluation, evaluating all training elements above, conducted within the previous 12 calendar months, may be substituted for recurrent flight training.
* Items of recurrent training that were not completed when due for requalification or eligibility should be completed within 12 calendar months of the last tour flight.
6.9 Courseware. The CH or operator should include and present to the Administrator, at a minimum, the training courseware to support the training listed in paragraph 6.8.1 above.
6.10 Supplemental Courseware. The CH or operator should include and present to the Administrator the following supplemental courseware, which is dependent on the geographic area and scope of operation. Supplemental courseware may vary greatly among CHs and operators depending on their specific area of operation, as applicable.
• ATC letter(s) of agreement and procedures;
• National Park Service ATMPs;
• IOA, OpSpec/LOA B057, and OpSpec/LOA B048; and
• VAs.
Advisory Circular Feedback Form If you find an error in this AC, have recommendations for improving it, or have suggestions for new items/subjects to be added, you may let us know by contacting the Air Transportation Division at 9-AFS-200-Correspondence@faa.gov or the Flight Standards Directives Management Officer at 9-AWA-AFB-120-Directives@faa.gov.
Subject: AC 136-4, Supplemental Information for the Creation of Operating Procedures and Pilot Training Subjects Related to OpSpec/LOA B048 Date: _____________________ Please check all appropriate line items:
An e rro r (proc edur al or typographical) has been noted in paragraph ____________ on page _______.
Recommend paragraph _____________ on page __________ be changed as follows:
______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ In a future change to this AC, please cover the following subject:
(Briefly describe what you want added.)
______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Other comments:
______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ I would like to discuss the above. Please contact me.
Submitted by: Date: ______________________