Lesson 1Hazard 2 — Rotor wash and downwash effects: causes, consequences, perimeter control and shieldingExplores rotor wash and downwash effects on people, vehicles, and loose objects. Addresses risk factors, safe approach paths, perimeter control, shielding solutions, and communication with ground personnel.
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 hardware to litter, and their impact on engines, rotors, and personnel. Explains inspection routines, detection tools, housekeeping standards, and reporting to prevent recurrence.
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 proceduresExplores lighting failures during night operations, including causes, detection, and backup options. Details inspection routines, fault response, temporary lighting, and NOTAM procedures to protect 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 refuelling hazards: bonding/grounding, spill sources, storage and SOPsExplains fuel handling hazards including fire, explosion, contamination, and environmental harm. Covers bonding and grounding, storage standards, transfer procedures, emergency actions, and documentation.
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 — Unauthorised access and ground vehicle/pedestrian conflicts: perimeter security, signage, access controlCovers unauthorised access, vehicle incursions, and pedestrian conflicts on the heliport. Focuses on perimeter security, access control, signage, escorting, and coordination with security and facility 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 controlAddresses obstacles and incursions affecting approach and departure paths. Covers obstacle surveys, safeguarding surfaces, temporary works, wildlife, and procedures to prevent unauthorised movements in critical 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 authorityAnalyses risks from simultaneous or converging arrivals and communication breakdowns. Covers sequencing, holding, standard phraseology, and clear delegation of landing authority 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 classify risks, apply the mitigation hierarchy, and document residual risk. Covers decision thresholds, acceptance criteria, and how to justify, track, and review risk controls in heliport operations.
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 limitsExamines adverse weather and visibility hazards, including fog, low cloud, wind, and precipitation. Defines triggers, minima, and limits, and explains weather monitoring, decision making, and contingency 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 qualitative and quantitative risk assessment at heliports, focusing on likelihood and consequence scales, matrix design, and data sources. Emphasises consistent scoring, documentation, and review of changing operational risks.
Qualitative risk assessment stepsQuantitative data sources and limitsDesigning likelihood rating scalesDesigning consequence rating scalesBuilding and using risk matricesReviewing and updating risk models
