HELICOPTER SAFETY ADVISORY CONFERENCE

January 15, 2009

Hilton – New Orleans Airport

Kenner, LA

 MINUTES

 INTRODUCTON

Chairman Mark Fontenot called the meeting to order at 08:30.  The Meeting scheduled for October 2008 was cancelled.  In September, Hurricane Ike brought devastation to the Louisiana and Texas coasts and heavily damaged the Sheraton Hotel on JFK Boulevard in Houston, TX.

 The Chairman introduced the duly elected Vice Chairman, Mr. Robert “Bob” Hall. 

 HSAC COMMITTEE REPORTS

 Treasurer’s Report – Joe Gross 

•         Contributions and Expenses

  Treasurer’s Report  

 Secretary’s Report – Ron Domingue

•         Voting results for Vice Chairman

  Secretary’s Report

 Jim Linney, FAA SBS

 (817) 222-5655

jim.linney@faa.gov

ADS- B Update

  ADS- B Update 

  1. IHST/HSAC Interface Work Group:  Mike Hurst, Chairman (mhurst@phihelico.com)

•         Mike Hurst was unable to attend and Bill Schroeder chaired the Work Group.

•         Discussed SMS for 135.  FAA confirmed that SMS rollout has been postponed.

•         SMS Toolkit available at www.ihst.org

•         HSAC RP 2008-01:  Chevron helidecks in Alaska

•         Helidecks Alaska

•         GOM Deck Markings 

  1. Recommended Practices (RP) Work Group:  Mark Adolph, Chairman (mark.adolph@shell.com)

•         RPs in booklet format and place on HSAC website.

•         Combine some procedures into one RP

•         New RP Suggestions

-         Weather Minimums

-         Increased Operational Oversight

-         Safety Management System

-         Pilot Training

-         Maintenance

-         Ground Support

-         HLO/HDA

•         HSAC  RP Workgroup 

3.  Technical Work Group:  Rusty Politz, Chairman (rppo@chevron.com)

•         Rusty Politz was unable to attend and Mark Fontenot chaired the Work Group. 

•         There were only two (2) Maintenance Managers present for this committee meeting. 

•         New RP Suggestions:

-         Human Factors

-         JSA Program

-         Fatigue Management

-         RII Inspection Program

-         Mentoring Program

-         Working at heights

-         PPE – Eye, hearing, hand, and fall protection

-         Tool Control

-         Pass down notes

-         Inspector Program

-         Training Programs

-         Aircraft Parts Security 

•         Solicit information from your organization.

•         Technical Committee Action 

      4.  Flight Following and ADS-B Work Group:  Terry Gambill Chairman (tgambill@phihelico.com)

•         Flt Following  Committee                  Flt Following Attendees 

Pipeline Aerial Patrol Observation – Mark Small

•         Began 3-years ago with six (6) members and there were 23-participants in the Aerial Patrol Committee meeting on 01-14-09.

•         RP for operations in mountainous terrain

•         RP on pipeline patrol will include risk assessment matrix to assist with decision to operate with observer on board. 

•         AO Action Plan              AO Attendees           AO Training 

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

Certificate of Authorization (COA) for Nicholls State University to map barrier islands

•         UAS to map barrier islands

•         UAS small aircraft with 6-foot wing span

•         Operator and observer present on site

•         Operations within a mile of barrier island and altitude to be determined

•         Some may be equipped with a transponder

•         Proposed date to issue COA is March 5, 2009

•         Operators encouraged to email comments to:

o       Ron Vick, FAA                  (O)  817.321.7729      ron.ctr.vick@faa.gov

o       Carl Youngblood, FAA     (O) 817.321-7722      carl.ctr.youngblood@faa.gov 

Standardization and Safety – Terry Kaufman

Terry Kaufman could not attend the meeting and Mark Fontenot provided comments.

•         Presented 2007 HSAC GoM Statistics

•         HSAC Statistics worksheet for 2008 will be sent to operators and information compiled by Bob Williams. 

Lockheed Martin Update – Martha Wood

•         When stating numbers, pronounce each number separately.  For example, the number 15, should be stated, “One Five,” and not fifteen.  Will help eliminate errors on flight plans.

•         Suggest development offshore PIREP reporting systems using the seven ADS-B frequencies incorporated with the offshore AWOS station.

•         COA for UAS operations should require notification to FSS when active.  Provide FSS with email addresses to discriminate NOTAMs.  Best to have one central source for operators who would then distribute to Gulf Coast operators. 

Heliports and Airways – Ken Kersker

•         API needs to bless HSAC helideck document.

•         Shell and Chevron have painted some helidecks using guidelines in RP 2008-1.

•         HSAC should recognize that RPs are now recognized and used globally. 

Dr. John W. Leverton – VP Infrastructure Development, AHS International

(O) 703.425.4236      (E) levac@verizon.net   

•         Annex 14 Update before April 2009

•         Helideck Committee:  Bob Williams and Wally McKeown

•         Change to ICAO will be published in about 2-months and address:

o       Helideck Design

o       D –Value

o       Recognizes 0.83 D

o       Clarification of Safety Areas

o       Recognition of  Safety Shelves

o       Lighting and Markings

o       Recognizes units of measurements of pounds and feet 

SHELL NOTAM SYSTEM – Steve Summers

•         Contact information:  steve.summers@shell.com

•         Website for Shell NOTAMS: www.avnotice.com

•          Availability of NOTAMS 24/7

•         Website has the capability for multi-company website

•         Use of a company logo could be displayed that would allow direct access to specific company information

•         Add www.avnotice.com as a link on HSAC website

•         As suggested by Casey Lowery, website has the potential for “one-stop-shopping” for NOTAMS, RPs, and other operational information for oil companies and helicopter operators. 

Government Liaison – Terry Umfleet

•         Dana Raaz, ERA Director of Operations, has replaced Terry Umfleet. 

Industrial Liaison – Tom Suhrhoff

Prior business commitments and could not attend. 

Fish Spotter – Frank Colby, Safety Leader

•         Season begins in April through November 2009

•         DO NOT depend on TCAS for separation.  Call on VHF.  When spotter aircraft pilot hear calls on VHF, they “nail” their altitude.  Call for SAFETY.

•         Although the aircraft fleet is about the same as 2008, the boats are spread out farther along the coast.  Aircraft will be flying more up and down the coast than last year. 

HSAC Meeting Schedule for 2009

•         May 13th and 14th in Lafayette, LA at the Hilton.

•         October in Houston to be announced.