CAT.OP.MPA.191 FuelScheme - Fuel Planning and in-flight replanning policy - helicopters

SI No. 1290/2024

Text in magenta in force from 30 October 2025

1. As part of the fuel scheme for helicopters, the operator must establish a fuel or energy planning and in-flight replanning policy to ensure that the aircraft carries sufficient useable fuel or energy to safely complete the planned flight and allow for deviations from the planned operation.

2. The operator must ensure that the fuel or energy planning of the helicopter flight, as a minimum, includes:

   1. procedures contained in the operations manual as well as:

      1. current aircraft specific data derived from fuel or energy consumption monitoring system, or if that is not available;

      2. data provided from the helicopter manufacturer.

   2. the operating conditions under which the flight is to be conducted including:

      1. aircraft fuel or energy consumption data;

      2. anticipated masses;

      3. anticipated weather conditions;

      4. the effects of deferred maintenance items or configuration deviations, or both;

      5. procedures and restrictions introduced by air navigation service providers.

3. The operator must ensure that the pre-flight calculations of the usable fuel or energy that is required for a helicopter flight includes:

   1. taxi fuel or energy that must not be less than the amount expected to be used prior to take-off;

   2. trip fuel or energy that must be the amount required to enable the helicopter to fly from take-off, or from the point of in-flight replanning, to landing at the destination aerodrome;

   3. contingency fuel;

   4. destination alternate fuel or energy, if a destination alternate aerodrome is required;

   5. final reserve fuel or energy that must not be less than:

      1. if flying under VFR and navigating by day with reference to visual landmarks, 20 minutes of fuel or energy at best-range speed;

      2. if flying under VFR and navigating other than by reference to visual landmarks, or at night, 30 minutes of fuel or energy at best-range speed;

      3. if flying under IFR, 30 minutes of fuel or energy at holding speed at 1500 ft (450 m) above the aerodrome elevation in standard conditions, calculated according to the helicopter estimated mass on arrival at the destination alternate aerodrome or at the destination aerodrome when no destination alternate aerodrome is required;

   6. extra fuel or energy to take into account anticipated delays or specific operational constraints; and

   7. discretionary fuel or energy if required by the commander.

4. The operator must ensure that if a helicopter flight has to proceed along a route or to a destination aerodrome other than the one originally planned, in-flight replanning procedures for calculating the required useable fuel or energy include:

   1. trip fuel or energy for the remainder of the flight;

   2. reserve fuel or energy consisting of:

      1. contingency fuel;

      2. alternate fuel or energy if a destination alternate aerodrome is required;

      3. final reserve fuel or energy; and

      4. additional fuel or energy if required by the type of operation;

   3. extra fuel or energy to take into account anticipated delays or specific operational constraints; and

   4. discretionary fuel or energy if required by the commander.

5. As an alternative to points (b) to (d), for helicopters with a maximum certified take-off mass of 3175kg or less, flying by day and over routes navigated by reference to visual landmarks, or for local helicopter operations, the fuel or energy policy must ensure that on completion of the flight, or series of flights, the final reserve fuel or energy is sufficient for:

   1. 30-minute flying time at best-range speed; or

   2. 20-minute flying time at best-range speed if operating within an area providing continuous and suitable operating sites.

6. Where a HEMS mission is conducted under VFR within a local and defined geographical area, the fuel planning policy may, as an alternative to points (c) and (d) be in accordance with SPA.HEMS.150.