Transport Canada Civil Aviation Operational Evaluation Report

From: Transport Canada

Revision: Initial Issue

DATE: 2018-01-29

BELL 505 Jet Ranger X

Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS)* TCDS Identifier/Master Series Marketing Name Pilot Type Rating
H-112 505 BELL 505 Jet Ranger X BH505

APPROVED: Original signed by DATE: 07/02/2018

Robert Sincennes
Director Standards
Transport Canada, Civil Aviation (TCCA)
Standards Branch (AART)

Management Co-ordination Sheet

Stephane Demers
Chairman Bell 505 Jet Ranger X, Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) Operational Evaluation Board
Commercial Flight Standards (AARTF)

Date: 26 Jan 2018

Office of Primary Interest (OPI):

Roman Marushko
Program Manager, Flight Technical and Operator Certification (FTOC);
Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) Operational Evaluation Board
Commercial Flight Standards (AARTF)
330 Sparks Street, Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0N8
Tel: (613) 698-5433
e-mail: roman.marushko@tc.gc.ca

Original signed by Robert Kostecka for Date: 29 Jan 2018

Deborah Martin
Chief, Commercial Flight Standards
Transport Canada, Civil Aviation (TCCA)
Standards Branch
Commercial Flight Standards (AARTF)

Original signed by Date: 29 Jan 2018

Table of Contents

1. Record Of Revisions

Revision Number Sections(s) Page(s) Affected Date
Initial Issue ALL ALL 2018/1/29

2. Introduction

The Transport Canada Flight Technical and Operator Certification (FTOC) Division of the Civil Aviation Standards Branch is responsible for the Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) Operational Evaluation (OE) program. FTOC’s objectives during the operational evaluation of a new or modified aircraft are to determine:

  1. The acceptability of a manufacturers training program for use by Canadian operators;
  2. Pilot qualification and type rating requirements including training, checking, currency requirements, and
  3. The operational suitability of an aircraft type.

This report lists those determinations for use by:

  1. TCCA Inspectors who approve training programs;
  2. TCCA inspectors and Approved Check Pilots (ACPs) who conduct Pilot Proficiency Checks (PPCs) and issue Type Ratings; and
  3. Aircraft operators and training providers, to assist them in developing their flight-crew member training, checking and currency programs.

3. Highlights Of Change

This is the initial issue of the TCCA Bell 505 Jet Ranger X Operational Evaluation Report.

4. Background

4.1 Scope of Report

This OE report applies to the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X. The contents of this report are harmonized with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to the maximum extent possible.

Note: For brevity the term Bell 505 as used in this report means Bell 505 Jet Ranger X.

This TCCA Operational Evaluation Board (OEB) report specifies the TCCA pilot qualification requirements (training, checking, and currency) and operational requirements for operating the Bell 505 helicopter under Part 604 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) and Part VII, subparts 2, 3, or 4 of the CARs.

The guidelines and recommendations contained in this report apply to TCCA Inspectors including Principal Operations Inspectors (POI)(s) and ACPs employed by Canadian commercial operators.

Provisions of the report:

  1. Definition of the pilot “type rating” assigned to the Bell 505;
  2. Description of training, checking and currency requirements specific to the Bell 505 and;
  3. Regulatory compliance status for the Bell 505 with the CARs, Advisory Circulars (AC) and other operational criteria.

Note:

The responsibility for the OEB of the Bell 505 resides in the Commercial Flight Standards (CFS) Division of the Standards Branch. The Program Manager of FTOC section is the Office of Primary Interest (OPI) for this OEB. The Program Manager of Rotorcraft Standards is the Office of Technical Interest (OTI) for this OEB.

This report includes:

  1. Recommended minimum requirements for the pilot type rating and operational suitability;
  2. Information which is advisory in general, but should be considered mandatory for particular air operators if the designated configurations apply and if approved for that operator; and;
  3. Information which is used to facilitate TCCA review of an aircraft type or related aircraft proposed for the use by an air operator.

Determinations made in this report are based on the evaluation of the Bell 505 helicopter in accordance with current regulations, standards and guidance. Modifications and upgrades made to the models described herein, or introduction of new related aircraft, may require amendment of the findings in this report. The OEB reserves responsibility and authority to re-evaluate and modify sections of this report based on new or revised advisory material, amended CARs, aircraft operating experience, or the testing of new or modified aircraft under the provisions of the Common Procedures Document (CPD) or FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 120-53B.

4.2 Guidance Material

The TCCA OE evaluations were conducted in accordance with FAA AC 120-53B, Guidance for Conducting and Use of Flight Standardization Board Evaluations, and the Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA)/FAA/TCCA Common Procedures Document Operational Evaluation Boards (CPD).

4.3 Operational Evaluation Board Report Effectiveness

Provisions of this report are effective until amended, superseded, or withdrawn by subsequent OEB determinations. This report documents the Bell 505 training program evaluation by TCCA, conducted jointly with EASA and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) United Kingdom (UK). This OEB report will be amended and re-issued as further significant developments related to the Bell 505 and the Bell 505 training program occur and are evaluated.

4.4 Application of Operational Evaluation Board Report

All relevant parts of this report are applicable on the effective date of this report.

4.5 Alternate Means of Compliance

The OEB Chairman, the Program Manager of FTOC and/or the Program Manager Large Aircraft Standards should be consulted when alternate means of compliance, other than those specified in this report, are proposed. An air operator will be required to submit a proposed alternate means that provides an equivalent level of safety to the provisions of the CARs and this OEB report. Analysis, demonstrations, proof of concept testing, differences documentation, and/or other substantiation may be required.

In the event that alternate compliance is sought, training program credits, simulator approvals, and device approvals may be significantly limited and reporting requirements may be increased to ensure an equivalent level of training, checking, and currency is maintained. TCCA will generally not consider relief through alternate compliance means unless sufficient lead-time has been planned by an air operator to allow for any necessary testing and evaluation.

4.6 Bell 505 Initial Type Training

TCCA as the lead authority conducted a joint operational evaluation with EASA and CAA UK of the type training course in February of 2017 in Hurst Texas (TX).

In addition to the content of the Bell 505 type rating training course described in the following, Canadian air operators of the Bell 505 must meet all of the applicable training requirements of subpart VII of the CARs and the applicable Commercial Air Services Standards (CASS).

The Bell 505 full Transition initial type rating training is identified as SEH Type Rating Course. This is the only type course proposed and was found acceptable by TCCA which is retained on file.

4.7 Bell Difference Training Program

Reserved.

5. Acronyms

  • AC Advisory Circular;
  • ACP Approved Check Pilot;
  • AOC Air Operator Certificate;
  • ARRIUS 2R Turbomeca Arrius 2R engine;
  • ATC Air Traffic Control;
  • AWM Airworthiness Manual;
  • Bell see BHTC;
  • BHTC Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited;
  • CAA Civil Aviation Authority
  • CARs Canadian Aviation Regulations;
  • CAS Crew Alert System;
  • CASS Commercial Air Service Standard;
  • CATI/II/III Category I/II/III ILS Instrument Approach;
  • CBT Computer Based Training;
  • CDS Common Display System;
  • CDU Common Display Unit;
  • CFIT Controlled Flight Into Terrain;
  • CFS Commercial Flight Standards;
  • CG Centre of Gravity;
  • COM Company Operating Manual;
  • CPD Common Procedures Document for Operational Evaluation Boards;
  • CRM Crew Resource Management;
  • DA Decision Altitude;
  • DH Decision Height;
  • DR Differences Requirements;
  • EASA European Aviation Safety Agency;
  • EFB Electronic Flight Bag;
  • EFIS Electronic Flight Instrument System;
  • EICAS Electronic Indicating Crew Alerting System;
  • FAA Federal Aviation Administration;
  • FADEC Full Authority Digital Engine Control;
  • FAR Federal Aviation Regulations;
  • FBT Fixed Base Trainer;
  • FFS Full Flight Simulator;
  • FSB Flight Standardization Board;
  • FTD Flight Training Device;
  • FTOC Flight Technical & Operator Certification;
  • GPS Global Positioning System;
  • GS Glideslope;
  • HAT Height Above Terrain;
  • HV Height Velocity;
  • HTAWS Helicopter Terrain Awareness Warning System;
  • ILS Instrument Landing System;
  • JAA Joint Aviation Authorities;
  • JOEB Joint Operational Evaluation Board;
  • LOC Localizer;
  • MDR Master Differences Requirements;
  • MEL Minimum Equipment List;
  • MFF Mixed Fleet Flying;
  • ODR Operator Differences Requirements;
  • OE Operational Evaluation;
  • OEB Operational Evaluation Board;
  • OEM Original Equipment Manufacturer;
  • OPI Office of Primary Interest;
  • OTI Office of Technical Interest;
  • PEC Previous Equipment Credit;
  • PF Pilot Flying;
  • PFD Primary Flight Display;
  • PL Policy Letter;
  • PM Pilot Monitoring;
  • POI Principal Operations Inspector;
  • PORD Private Operator Registration Document;
  • PPC Pilot Proficiency Check;
  • QRH Quick Reference Handbook;
  • RDIMS Records, Documents and Information Management System;
  • RFM Rotorcraft Flight Manual;
  • RRPM Rotor RPM (revolutions per minute in percentage);
  • SEH Single Engine Helicopter;
  • SLS Short Light Single;
  • SOP Standard Operating Procedure;
  • TASE Training Areas of Special Emphasis;
  • TCAS Traffic Collision Avoidance System;
  • TCCA Transport Canada Civil Aviation;
  • TCDS Type Certificate Data Sheet;
  • TP Transport Canada Publication;
  • TTL Technical Team Lead;
  • VMC Visual Meteorological Conditions;
  • WOG Weight On Gear;
  • XMSN Transmission.

6. Definitions

These definitions are for the purposes of this report only.

6.1 Current – A crewmember meets all requirements to operate the aircraft under the applicable CARs or CASS.

6.2 Operational Evaluation – A TCCA evaluation of the pilot qualifications requirements of an aircraft type (pilot type rating, minimum flight crewmember training, checking and currency requirements, and unique or special pilot qualification requirements (e.g., specific flight characteristics, no-flap landing)), operational suitability of an aircraft type and OEM training program.

6.3 Operational Suitability – A determination during an operational evaluation that an aircraft or system may be used in the Canadian airspace system and meets the applicable operational regulations (e.g., subparts 604, 605, 701,702,703,704 and 705 of the CARs as applicable).

6.4 Qualified – A flight crewmember holds the appropriate licenses and ratings as required by the applicable operating regulations.

6.5 Special Emphasis Area – A training requirement unique to the aircraft, based on a system, procedure, or maneuver, which requires additional highlighting during training. It may also require additional training time, specialized training devices or training equipment.

7. Pilot Type Rating

7.1 The pilot type rating designator for the Bell 505 is BH505.

8. Related Aircraft

Reserved

9. Pilot Training

9.1 Previous Experience

The provisions of this section apply to training programs for pilots who have experience in subpart 604 and subparts 702 and 703 of the CARs or equivalent operations and turbine helicopters. Pilots undergoing the initial type training program will benefit from prior experience with turbine helicopters and systems such as Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) and integrated avionics systems with electronic flight displays.

Additional requirements may be necessary as determined by the POI and the OEB, for pilots not having this experience.

9.2 Recurrent Training

Recurrent training should include appropriate training in accordance with the CASS, or an approved Company Training Plan and should include the Training Areas of Special Emphasis (TASE) items.

The Bell 505 recurrent training program should consist of 5 hours of system reviews and procedural review. The training is followed by a full proficiency check. The recurrent training should use all of the same Bell 505 manuals as the initial and difference training courses.

9.3 Differences Training

Reserved

9.4 Training Areas of Special Emphasis

The following items must receive emphasis at the appropriate point during the ground and flight training.

9.4.1 Aircraft structure

  • Front seats must be full forward and locked to provide crash attenuation and egress for rear seat passengers.
  • Though considered a maintenance action pilots must remain aware that the helicopter weight and balance is adjusted by means of weights that can be added or removed from a shock mount at the end of the tailboom. Changes in configurations such adding floats or removing seats may require a change to the amount of weight on the tailboom mount.

9.4.2 Flight operations

  • With dual controls installed it is important for pilots to transfer the FLY/IDLE switch from Left to Right sides as appropriate for the pilot manipulating the controls to be able to manage the engine.
  • The Bell 505 is Type Certificated to be flown from either seat. When the helicopter is flown with 2 pilots an operator’s procedures must clearly identify which pilot is Pilot A and Pilot B or PIC and Copilot to avoid confusion based on the type of operation performed.
  • TCCA strongly recommend a minimum of 0.5 hours flight training from left seat for operators who will fly single-pilot from left seat.
  • Training manual cautions that both longitudinal and lateral loading must be done properly to avoid exceeding CG limits. Baggage and cabin loads are all directly below or forward of C of G (mast). Caution must be exercised when changing configurations / loads as weight may need to be added to the tail.

9.4.3 Walk-around and ground handling

  • Left side cyclic tightening screw to remove cyclic may be confused as a cyclic friction knob. All personnel occupying the left front seat must be made aware to not loosen this knob.
  • Battery must be OFF to install or remove left side cyclic.
  • Baggage compartment light requires the BATT to be ON and pilot must remember to shut BATT Off.
  • Personnel are not to stand on helicopter skid tubes unless these have been modified and approved by Bell.
  • A person MUST be holding the tail of the helicopter when it is raised onto the ground handling wheels or the tail will drop and contact the ground with possibility of causing airframe damage.
  • Fuel sampling pump is unique and must be used and stowed properly

9.4.4 Garmin 1000

  • System requires Battery and Inverter.
  • No audio advisories for “white” or “green” CAS messages.
  • Weight and Balance pages assumes baggage is loaded in centre of passenger compartment.

9.4.5 Avionics and Flight Displays

  • Garmin 1000H procedures for weight and balance during Prestart Check.

9.4.6 Electronic Flight Bag

Reserved.

9.4.7 Procedures

  • Proper use of FADEC controlled throttle switch during normal and emergency operations.
  • Throttle switch management while carrying passengers with dual controls installed.

9.4.8 Operator Specific Training

Air operators should provide training applicable to the operating environment and capabilities of the Bell 505 and Special Authorizations granted to the air operator:

  • Training associated with external loads;
  • Night VFR training;
  • Night Imaging Systems training.

9.4.9 Recurrent Training

  • Appropriate emphasis should be placed on systems and procedures that may have been used less frequently.
  • Emphasis should also be placed on flight with FADEC control system in normal and emergency modes and should include landings or autorotations with FADEC malfunctions.

10. Pilot Checking

10.1 Checking Items – General

The checking of knowledge, procedures, and maneuvers specified by CAR Subpart VII and CASS and pertinent to turbine helicopters apply to the Bell 505.

10.2 Checking Areas of Emphasis

C of G calculations and appropriate use of ballast on tail.

Special attention should be given during checking to ensure adequate training is provided to address dispatch with systems operated in alternate/degraded modes. Checking should emphasize the pilot’s ability to cope with subsequent failures.

10.3 Steep Turns

Steep Turns to be conducted in accordance with Pilot Proficiency Check. Use of Synthetic Training Device to be considered once FTDs evaluated.

10.4 MMEL/MEL Use

Reserved

10.5 Pilot Proficiency Check

Aircraft knowledge tests should be conducted prior to any proficiency checks. Any procedures and limitations that must be committed to memory should be evaluated by closed book examination for all initial, differences and recurrent training. Aircraft systems and operational knowledge should be evaluated by open book questions corrected to 100%.

The PPC should comply with Standard Subpart 604 and Subparts 702 and 703 – Pilot Proficiency Check.

11. Pilot Currency

No additional or specific currency requirements have been identified for Bell 505.

12. Flight Simulation Training Devices

Reserved

13. Operational Suitability

13.1 General

The Bell 505 has been determined to be operationally suitable for Canadian operations. Bell has provided compliance checklists with the applicable provisions of 605 and Subpart VII of the CARs, which TCCA retains on file.

The Bell 505 is certified to conduct Night Vision Imaging Systems flight. The regulatory authorization for these capabilities is available through the applicable Transport Canada Special Authorization.

13.2 Adverse Weather and Cold Temperature Operations

Bell provides guidance for adverse weather operations in Supplementary Procedures in the Bell 505 RFM which includes operations in cold and hot weather. Air operators should incorporate this guidance material into their Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) and training program.

14. References

  1. FAA Advisory Circular AC120-53B, Guidance for Conduction and Use of Flight Standardization Board Evaluations, dated May 11, 2013.
  2. JOEB OPS/FCL Common Procedures for Conducting Operational Evaluation Boards, dated June 10, 2004.

Appendices

Reserved.

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