AMC3 SPA.NVIS.130(f) Crew requirements for NVIS operations

CAA ORS9 Decision No. 47

Text in magenta in force from 30 October 2025

CREW TRAINING AND CHECKING — TECHNICAL CREW MEMBER TRAINING FOR OPERATIONS UNDER IFR — INITIAL AND RECURRENT GENERAL TRAINING AND CHECKING

1. The technical crew member initial and recurrent training and checking syllabus should include the following items:

   1. duties in the technical crew member role;

   2. map reading, including:

      1. ability to keep track with helicopter position on map;

      2. ability to detect conflicting terrain/obstacles on a given route, and at a given altitude; and

      3. use of moving maps, as required;

   3. basic understanding of the helicopter type in terms of location and design of normal and emergency systems and equipment, including all helicopter lights and operation of doors, and including knowledge of helicopter systems and understanding of the terminology used in checklists;

   4. the dangers of rotor-running helicopters;

   5. outside lookout during the flight;

   6. crew coordination with in-flight call-outs, with emphasis on crew coordination regarding the tasks of the technical crew member, including checklist initiation, interruptions and termination;

   7. warnings, and use of normal, abnormal and emergency checklists assisting the pilot as required;

   8. the use of the helicopter intercommunications system;

   9. basic helicopter performance principles, including the definitions of Category A certification, performance class 1 and performance class 2;

   10. operational control and supervision;

   11. meteorology;

   12. applicable parts of SERA, including instrument flight rules (IFR), as relevant to the tasks of the technical crew member;

   13. mission planning;

   14. early identification of pilot incapacitation;

   15. debriefing; and

   16. PBN, as necessary.

INITIAL AND RECURRENT NAVIGATION TRAINING AND CHECKING

2. The initial and recurrent navigation training and checking syllabus should include the following items:

   1. aeronautical map reading (additional training to (a)(2) above), navigation principles;

   2. navigation aid principles and use;

   3. crew coordination with in-flight call-outs, with emphasis on navigation issues;

   4. applicable parts of SERA; and

   5. airspace, restricted areas, and noise-abatement procedures.

INITIAL AND RECURRENT MONITORING TRAINING AND CHECKING

3. The initial and recurrent monitoring training and checking syllabus should include the following items:

   1. basic understanding of the helicopter type, including knowledge of any limitations to the parameters the crew member is tasked to monitor, and knowledge of the basic principles of flight;

   2. instrument reading;

   3. inside monitoring during the flight;

      1. aircraft state/cockpit cross-check;

      2. automation philosophy and autopilot status monitoring, as relevant; and

      3. FMS, as relevant;

   4. crew coordination with in-flight call-outs, with emphasis on call-outs and actions resulting from the monitoring process; and

   5. flight path monitoring.

INITIAL AIRCRAFT/FSTD TRAINING

4. The technical crew member training syllabus should include aircraft/FSTD training focusing on crew cooperation with the pilot.

   1. The initial training should include at least 4 hours' instruction dedicated to crew cooperation unless:

      1. the technical crew member has undergone this training under another operator; or

      2. the technical crew member has performed at least 50 missions in assisting the pilot from the front seat as a technical crew member.

   2. The training described in (1) should be organised with a crew composition of one pilot and one technical crew member.

   3. The training described in (1) should be supervised by a pilot with a minimum experience of 500 hours in either multi-pilot operations or single-pilot operations with a technical crew member assisting from the front seat, or a combination of these.

   4. The training may be combined with the LIFUS.

LINE FLYING UNDER SUPERVISION (LIFUS)

5. LIFUS

   1. LIFUS should take place during the operator’s conversion course.

   2. Line flights under supervision provide the opportunity for a technical crew member to practise the procedures and techniques he or she should be familiar with, regarding ground and flight operations, including any elements that are specific to a particular helicopter type. Upon completion of the LIFUS, the technical crew member should be able to safely conduct the flight operational duties assigned to him or her according to the procedures laid down in the operator’s operations manual.

   3. LIFUS should be conducted by a suitably qualified technical crew member or commander nominated by the operator.

   4. LIFUS should include a minimum of five sectors under IFR.

RECURRENT AIRCRAFT/FSTD TRAINING

6. Recurrent helicopter/FSTD training

   1. The recurrent training should focus on crew cooperation and contain a minimum of 2 hours of flight.

   2. The training described in (1) should take place in the same conditions as the initial training in (d) above.