[F1ANNEX VIII U.K. SPECIALISED OPERATIONS [PART-SPO]

Textual Amendments

SUBPART B OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES U.K.

SPO.OP.131 Fuel and oil supply — helicopters U.K.

(a) The pilot-in-command shall only commence a flight if the helicopter carries sufficient fuel and oil for the following: U.K.
(1)

for VFR flights:

(i)

to fly to the aerodrome/operating site of intended landing and thereafter to fly for at least 20 minutes at best-range-speed; or

(ii)

for VFR flights by day, a reserve fuel of 10 minutes at best-range-speed provided the he/she remains within 25 NM of the aerodrome/operating site of departure; and

(2)

for IFR flights:

(i)

when no alternate is required or no weather-permissible alternate aerodrome is available, to fly to the aerodrome/operating site of intended landing, and thereafter to fly for 30 minutes at normal cruising speed at 450 m ( 1 500 ft) above the destination aerodrome/operating site under standard temperature conditions and approach and land; or

(ii)

when an alternate is required, to fly to and execute an approach and a missed approach at the aerodrome/operating site of intended landing, and thereafter:

(A)

to fly to the specified alternate; and

(B)

to fly for 30 minutes at normal holding speed at 450 m ( 1 500 ft) above the alternate aerodrome/operating site under standard temperature conditions and approach and land.

(b) In computing the fuel required, including providing for contingency, the following shall be taken into consideration: U.K.
(1)

forecast meteorological conditions;

(2)

anticipated ATC routings and traffic delays;

(3)

failure of one engine while en-route, where applicable; and

(4)

any other condition that may delay the landing of the aircraft or increase fuel and/or oil consumption.

(c) Nothing shall preclude amendment of a flight plan in-flight, in order to re-plan the flight to another destination, provided that all requirements can be complied with from the point where the flight is re-planned. ]U.K.