Five Steps to a Safe Flight

1. Pilot/Aircraft Data Card - Approved & Current

OAS-103/FS 5700-16 (07/18)

2. Flight Plan/Flight Following Initiated
3. PPE in Use When Required
4. Pilot Briefed on Mission & Flight Hazards
5. Crew & Passenger Briefing to include:
--Aircraft Hazards --Fire Extinguisher
--Seat Belt & Harness --Fuel & Electrical Shutoff
--ELT & Survival Kit --Oxygen Equipment
--First Aid Kit --Emergency Egress
--Gear & Cargo Security --Smoking
(Not Under Seats)
 Remember!
To report an aircraft accident call:
1-888-4MISHAP (1-888-464-7427)
File a SAFECOM to report any condition, observance,
act, maintenance problem, or circumstance which has
potential to cause an aviation-related accident.

Anyone can refuse or curtail a flight when an unsafe

condition may exist.

Never let undue pressure (expressed or implied) influ-

ence your judgment or decisions. Avoid mistakes,
don’t hurry!
 Twelve Standard Aviation Questions That Shout
“Watch Out!”
1. Is this flight necessary?
2. Who is in charge?
3. Are all hazards identified and have you made them
known?
4. Should you stop the operation on the flight due to
change in conditions?
††Communications ††Weather ††Confusion
††Turbulence ††Personnel ††Conflicting Priorities
5. Is there a better way to do it?
6.  you driven by an overwhelming sense of urgency?
Are
OAS-161 (07/18)
7. Can you justify your actions?
8. Are there other aircraft in the area?
9. Do you have an escape route?
10. Are any rules being broken?
11. Are communications getting tense?
12. Are you deviating from the assigned operations of
the flight?
Anyone can refuse or curtail a flight when an unsafe con-
dition may exist. Never let undue pressure (expressed
or implied) influence your judgment or decisions. Avoid
mistakes, don’t hurry!
 OAS-181 (08/17)

SIX STEP Egress Procedures

1. Survivor
2. Unplug
3. Open Door: Brace
4. Wait for violent motion to stop: Sit Up
5. Clear exit: Reference Point
6. Release seat belt: Exit
“If you see something, say something”
 Flight Preparation
Is a flight plan in place?
Have you received a mission and aircraft briefing?
Do you know the location of the aviation life support
equipment? How would you get to it?
Are you prepared for extreme weather conditions?
Are survival items accessible on your person?
Have you planned your primary and secondary
egress routes?
Are you proficient at opening the door and releasing
your seat belt?
 OAS-112 (06/14)
Office of Aviation Services
United States Department of the Interior

Aviation Operations Checklist

IF YOU ANSWER NO TO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING, STOP, RE-EVALUATE

Pre-Operation Planning
Project Aviation Manager and Flight or Helicopter Manager
 Yes Approved/Signed/Current Aviation Management Plan?
 Yes Approved/Signed/Current Project Aviation Safety Plan (PASP)?
 Yes Operational Risk Assessment completed?
 Yes Flight hazard map reviewed and flight hazards identified?
 Yes Approved/Signed/Current Mishap Response Plan?
Management Approval:
 Yes Acceptable risk?
 Yes Pilot/crewmembers in compliance with training requirements?
 Yes Aviation Life Support Equipment (ALSE)?

Operation Briefing and Preflight Plan

Flight or Helicopter Manager and Pilot/Flight Crew
 Confirm all personnel have introduced themselves by name, qualification and role.
 Confirm all mission objectives, strategies and tactics clear.
Is the Weather Forecast Within Limits:
 Yes Winds?
 Yes Visibility within minimums?
 No Icing conditions possible?  Mitigations and equipment planned.
Essential Considerations to Manager:
 Yes Aircraft/Pilot approved for each special use mission and current?
 Yes Pilot and crew flight time/duty day requirements within limits?
 Yes Pilot briefed on mission and inherent hazards?
 Yes Performance Planning Complete?
 Operation Briefing and Preflight Plan (continued)
Essential Considerations To Pilot:
 Yes Preflight responsibilities fulfilled?
 Yes Flight Following procedures established?
 Yes Load calculation/weight and balance calculation completed?
 Yes Frequencies obtained?
 Yes Flight plan filed?
 Yes Pilot expectations communicated?
All Personnel Review Including Pilot:
 Yes Project Aviation Safety Plan (PASP)?
 Yes Flight Hazard Map?
 Yes Operational Risk Assessment?
 Yes Mishap Response Plan?
Passengers and Cargo:
 Yes Hazardous materials properly planned for?  N/A
 Yes Safety briefing conducted for all passengers?
 Yes Passenger and cargo manifest completed?

 Confirm all users aware that anyone may terminate a flight if an unsafe condition is
perceived to exist.

IF YOU SEE SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING

During Operation
All Personnel
Essential In-Flight Discipline For All Personnel:
 Yes Flight Following procedures being conducted?
 Yes PPE and ALSE being utilized and available?
 Yes Flight hazard map being utilized?
High reconnaissance flight to identify wires/obstacles that are on
 Yes  N/A
the flight hazard map.
IF YOU ANSWERED NO TO ANY OF THE ABOVE, STOP, RE-EVALUATE
OAS-84 (12/21)

HELICOPTER PASSENGER BRIEFING

Pilot or designated Helitack must brief all passengers prior to flight
1. P
 ersonal Protective Equipment: (See IALSE CH 2 for require-
ments)
¾ Nomex Clothing (long-sleeved shirt & pants, or flight suit)
¾ Approved Helicopter Flight Helmet, or (for fire crew transport only, per
IALSE CH 1.5) hardhat

¾All-Leather Boots

¾Hearing and Eye Protection

¾Flame Resistant or Leather Gloves - gloves should fit snugly, with ad-
equate dexterity, to enhance operation of seat belts and emergency
exits

¾Seatbelts - proper operation of buckle and lap/shoulder strap adjust-
ments for all passengers

¾Survival Equipment as applicable (PFD, etc.)
2. NO Smoking: In or around aircraft
3. Approach and departure:
¾ Stay clear of landing area during approach/departure
¾ Always approach/depart from the down slope (lower) side as directed
by Pilot/Helitack
¾ Approach/depart helicopter in a crouch position, do not run

¾Keep in pilot’s view at all times
not reach up or chase after loose objects
¾Do

¾Never go near the tail of the helicopter
4. Tools and Equipment:

¾Secure light/loose items awaiting transport
¾ Assign personnel for carrying tools/equipment to/from helicopter
¾ Carry tools/long objects parallel to the ground, never on shoulder
¾ All tools and equipment loaded/unloaded by qualified personnel

¾Portable Radios turned off
5. Helicopter Doors and Emergency Exits: Know location and
how to operate
 HELICOPTER PASSENGER BRIEFING (Continued)
6. In-Flight Discipline:
¾ Follow pilot instructions

¾Loose items inside of aircraft secured and manageable
baggage secured in aircraft or cargo compartment
¾All
movement inside aircraft once seated
¾No

¾Never throw any object from the helicopter

¾Keep clear of the flight controls at all times

¾Unbuckle only when directed to do so by Pilot or Helitack

¾Wait for Helitack personnel to open/close doors
¾ Know location of first aid kit, survival kit, fire extinguisher, ELT (Emer-
gency Locator Transmitter) fuel and battery shut-off switch location
and operation, radio operation
7. In-Flight Emergency Procedures
¾ Follow Instructions of Pilot/Helitack personnel

¾Snug seatbelt and shoulder harness; secure gear

¾Emergency Seating Positions:
◦ Forward Facing Seat:
▪ Press lower torso firmly against the seatback
▪ Lower chin to chest
▪ Grip the seat edge with hands or place hands under thighs
◦ Rear Facing Seat:
▪ Same as forward facing seat except, place head back against the
head rest or bulkhead
◦ Side Facing Seat:
▪ Lean toward the front of the aircraft and brace upper torso and
head against whatever might be contacted, or move head in the
direction of impact to reduce flailing
¾ Move clear of the aircraft only after rotor blades stop or when instruct-
ed to by the pilot or helicopter crew

¾Assist injured personnel
¾ Assess situation, remove first aid kit, survival kit, radio, ELT and fire
extinguisher. Render first aid. Attempt to establish contact