Lesson 1Hazard 2 — Rotor wash and downwash effects: causes, consequences, perimeter control and shieldingLooks into rotor wash and downwash effects on people, vehicles, and loose items. Covers risk causes, safe approach routes, edge control, shielding ways, and talking with ground workers.
Aerodynamic basics of rotor washRisk factors and vulnerable areasSecuring loose equipment and loadsPerimeter control and exclusion zonesUse of barriers and physical shieldingBriefing and training ground staffLesson 2Hazard 1 — Foreign Object Debris (FOD): causes, consequences, detection and mitigationCovers FOD sources, from loose parts to rubbish, and their harm to engines, rotors, and workers. Explains check routines, spotting tools, cleaning standards, and reporting to stop repeats.
Typical FOD sources at heliportsConsequences for aircraft and peopleFOD inspection routes and frequencyUse of FOD containers and toolsHousekeeping and contractor controlsFOD reporting and trend analysisLesson 3Hazard 7 — Lighting failures at night operations: causes, checks, backup lighting and NOTAM proceduresLooks at lighting faults in night work, including causes, spotting, and backup choices. Details check routines, fault handling, temp lighting, and NOTAM steps to guard flight safety.
Types of heliport lighting systemsCommon lighting failure modesPreflight and nightly lighting checksUse of backup and portable lightingNOTAM criteria and issue processMaintenance and fault rectificationLesson 4Hazard 3 — Fuel handling and refueling hazards: bonding/grounding, spill sources, storage and SOPsExplains fuel handling dangers like fire, blast, dirt, and nature harm. Covers bonding and grounding, storage rules, transfer steps, emergency moves, and records.
Fuel properties and ignition sourcesBonding and grounding proceduresFuel storage and tank farm layoutRefueling SOPs and checklistsSpill prevention and containmentFuel fire and spill emergency actionsLesson 5Hazard 6 — Unauthorized access and ground vehicle/pedestrian conflicts: perimeter security, signage, access controlCovers unallowed entry, vehicle breaks, and walker clashes on the heliport. Focuses on edge security, entry control, signs, guiding, and linking with security and site management.
Perimeter fencing and physical barriersAccess control systems and passesVehicle route planning and controlPedestrian routing and escort rulesSignage, markings, and warningsIncident reporting and investigationLesson 6Hazard 4 — Obstacles and incursions during approach/departure: causes, mitigation, obstacle controlHandles obstacles and breaks affecting approach and departure routes. Covers obstacle checks, safe surfaces, temp works, animals, and steps to stop unallowed moves in key areas.
Defining approach and departure surfacesIdentifying permanent obstaclesManaging temporary cranes and worksWildlife and drone incursion risksMarking, lighting, and charting obstaclesProcedures for obstacle reportingLesson 7Hazard 8 — Simultaneous or converging arrivals and communications breakdowns: sequencing, holding procedures, and delegation of landing authorityChecks risks from same-time or joining arrivals and talk breaks. Covers ordering, holding, standard talk words, and clear giving of landing power between pilots and heliport staff.
Traffic patterns and capacity limitsArrival and departure sequencingHolding procedures near heliportsStandard radio calls and phraseologyDelegation of landing authorityManaging communication failuresLesson 8Assigning risk levels and mitigation hierarchy: eliminate, reduce, control, accept; residual risk documentationDetails how to group risks, use the fix order, and record leftover risk. Covers choice points, accept rules, and how to back, follow, and check risk controls in heliport work.
Defining risk categories and bandsApplying the mitigation hierarchySetting risk acceptance criteriaDocumenting residual risk decisionsMonitoring control effectivenessEscalation and management reviewLesson 9Hazard 5 — Adverse weather and visibility (including coastal fog): triggers, minima and operational limitsChecks bad weather and sight dangers, including fog, low clouds, wind, and rain. Sets triggers, lows, and limits, and explains weather watch, choices, and backup planning.
Key weather hazards for heliportsVisibility and ceiling assessmentWind, turbulence, and gust factorsDefining local weather minimaWeather monitoring tools and sourcesLow-visibility operating proceduresLesson 10Risk assessment frameworks: qualitative vs quantitative risk matrices, likelihood and consequence scalesExplains quality and number risk checks at heliports, focusing on chance and result scales, chart design, and data sources. Stresses steady scoring, records, and review of changing work risks.
Qualitative risk assessment stepsQuantitative data sources and limitsDesigning likelihood rating scalesDesigning consequence rating scalesBuilding and using risk matricesReviewing and updating risk models
