Guides for helicopter operators

What each document is, when you need it, what the FSDO looks for and common reasons for returns. Free to read; the guides explain, the documents are prepared for you.

Helicopter-specific

Helicopter air ambulance

• Helicopter air ambulance preflight risk analysis program and worksheet 14 CFR 135.617, 135.619(a)(4)
• Helicopter air ambulance operations control center and specialist program (10 or more helicopters) 14 CFR 135.619
• Helicopter air ambulance training program segment and medical personnel safety training 14 CFR 135.603, 135.609(c), 135.621, 135.325
• Helicopter air ambulance IFR without weather reporting, VFR flight planning and weather minimums 14 CFR 135.609, 135.611, 135.613, 135.615
• Request for OpSpec A021, helicopter air ambulance operations 14 CFR part 135 subpart L
• Helicopter night vision goggle program and request for OpSpec A050 14 CFR 91.205(h), 61.31(k), 61.57(f)

Part 135 helicopter

• Request for OpSpec A160, rotorcraft operations without a radio altimeter 14 CFR 135.160(b)
• Request for OpSpec A014, en route IFR in Class G airspace 14 CFR 135.215, 91.177
• Helicopter weight and balance and performance setup (from your own flight manual) 14 CFR 91.9, 91.103, 135.63(c), 135.185 (as applicable)
• Helicopter terminal instrument procedures: H-series authorizations H101, H102, H103, H106 (and H105, H123) FAA Order 8900.1 Vol 3 Ch 18 Sec 7

External load

• Part 133 Rotorcraft External-Load Operator Certificate application 14 CFR 133.15/133.17/133.19
• Part 133 Rotorcraft-Load Combination Flight Manual (RLCFM) 14 CFR 133.47
• Part 133 Congested Area Plan 14 CFR 133.33(d)
• Part 133 rotorcraft lease agreement (exclusive use) 14 CFR 133.19

Shared with airplane operators

• Schedule of Events (certification) 14 CFR 119.35
• Part 137 Agricultural Aircraft Operator Certificate application 14 CFR 137.15/137.17/137.19
• Part 137 Congested Area Operations Plan 14 CFR 137.51
• Part 136 / 91.147 Letter of Authorization A049 (commercial air tours, incl. drug & alcohol) 14 CFR 91.147; 136 subpart A; Part 120
• Commercial air tour safety requirements program (Part 136 subpart A) 14 CFR 136.5-136.13
• Hawaii air tours below 1,500 feet: OpSpec/LOA B048 application package SFAR 71/14 CFR 136 App A; SFAR 50-2
• Part 135 General Operations Manual (GOM) 14 CFR 135.21, 135.23(a)-(s)
• Part 135 Flight Crewmember Training Program (initial/transition/upgrade/recurrent/differences) 14 CFR 135.321-135.351
• Part 135 HAZMAT will-not-carry manual + training program 14 CFR 135 subpart K; 49 CFR 171-175
• Safety Management System (SMS) manual + implementation plan (Part 5) 14 CFR part 5 (5.95 documentation); 5.9 (part 135 deadline M
• Emergency Response Plan (ERP) 14 CFR part 5 (SMS); AC 120-92D (2024-05-21). Part 91 SMS is
• Antidrug and Alcohol Misuse Prevention Program + OpSpec A449 request 14 CFR Part 120; 49 CFR Part 40
• MMEL-as-MEL LOA D095 (Part 91, 133, 137, 141) 14 CFR 91.213; 133; 137; 141
• Certificate of Waiver or Authorization application (91.903) - aviation events, banner tow, low altitude 91.119, 91.111, motion picture 14 CFR 91.903/91.905
• Motion picture and television operations manual and waiver application 14 CFR 91.119; 91.903

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