NCR-032-2019
Pursuant to subsection 5.9(2) of the Aeronautics Act, and after taking into account that the exemption is in the public interest and is not likely to adversely affect aviation safety or security, I hereby exempt Canadian heliport operators, from the requirements of paragraphs 325.20(2)(a) and 325.25(1)(a) of the Heliport Standards made pursuant to paragraphs 305.20(b) and 305.25(2)(a) of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs), subject to the following conditions.
Paragraph 325.20(2)(a) of the Heliport Standards stipulates that, for the purposes of paragraph 305.20(b) of the CARs, the operational limitations in respect of the maximum helicopter overall length, are the following: the width or diameter of the Final Approach and Take-off Area (FATO) divided by 1.5.
Paragraph 325.25(1)(a) of the Heliport Standards stipulates that for the purposes of subsection 305.25(2) of the CARs, the following constitutes the requirements for all heliports: Final Approach and Take-off Areas (FATO), the requirements for the FATO are the following: a heliport shall be provided with at least one FATO.
Information note:
The size of the FATO will have a direct impact on the operational use of the heliport. The specifications in this Standard are based on a FATO size that is 1.5 times larger than the longest helicopter for which the heliport is certified.
Interpretation
For the purposes of this exemption, FATO means a final approach and take-off area, which consists of a defined area over which the final phase of a helicopter approach manoeuvre to hover or land is completed and from which the take-off manoeuvre is commenced.
For the purposes of this exemption, Safety Area means a defined area surrounding the FATO which is kept free of obstacles other than objects required for navigation purposes.
Purpose
This exemption authorizes Canadian certified heliport operators to allow heliport operations to continue when using helicopters larger than the heliport was originally certified for, when the Final Approach and Take-off Area (FATO) is less than 1.5 times the longest helicopter for which the heliport is currently certified.
Application
This exemption only applies to Canadian surface level heliports operators holding a valid heliport (or airport) certificate originally issued prior to June 30, 2019.
This exemption ceases to apply to the Canadian heliport operator who breaches a condition of the exemption.
Conditions
The exemption is subject to the following conditions:
- In no case shall the FATO dimensions be less than 1.4 times the longest helicopter for which the heliport will be certified.
- In no case shall the outer dimension of the Safety Area be less than 2.0 times the longest helicopter for which the heliport will be certified.
- Heliports certified under the Heliport Standards, Standard 325, shall re-assess all of the Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS), including the approach and take-off surfaces, transitional surfaces (if applicable) and 3.0 m obstacle free zone beyond the Safety Area, based upon the revised anchor point of the OLS at the outer edge of the new Safety Area dimensions.
- Heliports certified under TP 2586 Heliport Standards shall re-assess all of the Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS), including the approach and take-off surfaces and transitional surfaces where provided, based upon the revised anchor point of the OLS at the outer edge of the new Safety Area dimensions.
- All heliports shall re-assess the heliport classifications of the approach and take-off surfaces, based upon the revised heliport OLS assessment.
- Where the heliport classification(s) changes from H3 or H2 to H1, the heliport shall provide an up-to-date survey of the obstacle environment as per subsection 325.29(3) of the Heliport Standards and Advisory Circular (AC) 305-001.
- If the heliport is classified as H1 or the revised classification becomes H1, in no case shall the FATO be less than the dimensions of the landing and take-off surfaces where specified in the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) for Category A operations for the helicopter type(s) using the heliport (subparagraph 325.25(5)(a)(ii) of the Heliport Standards).
- The spacing and location of the perimeter FATO lights at Heliports certified for night operations shall not be changed from the existing reduced size FATO.
- A copy of this exemption shall be inserted in the Heliport Operations Manual (HOM) and any appropriate HOM amendments including changes to the heliport OLSs and classifications shall be made and submitted to Transport Canada (TC)
- Prior to the heliport operator using this exemption, to reflect any changes to the OLS and/or heliport classifications and the reduced size of the FATO, page 2 of the heliport certificate shall be amended.
- The Heliport operator shall submit to TC and NavCanada any applicable changes to the Canada Flight Supplement heliport entries including change in Safety Area size, allowable maximum helicopter length and if applicable approach and take-off pathway classifications.
Validity
This exemption is in effect until the earliest of the following:
- a) November 30, 2024 at 23:59 (EST);
- b) the date on which any of the condition set out in this exemption is breached;
- c) the date on which the exemption is cancelled by the Minister, in writing, where he is of the opinion that it is no longer in the public interest, or that it is likely to adversely affect aviation safety or security.
Dated at Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, this 31st day of January, 2020, on behalf of the Minister of Transport.
“Original signed by”
Nicholas Robinson
Director General
Civil Aviation
Transport Canada