External Load Guidelines are Attached to
this Bulletin as Addendum "A"
Helicopter flying accuracy may be adversely affected
by changing natural conditions such as wind, air density,
humidity, and time of day. Manmade conditions such as
weight, weight distribution, center of gravity and/or
the discharge of pyrotechnics in close proximity disturbing
airflow around the tail rotor, can also affect the ability
of the helicopter to fly. Special precautions should
be taken to ensure safety when working in any extreme
temperatures or terrain, e.g., mountains and deserts.
- All Aerial Coordinators and/or Pilots in Command
shall possess a current FAA approved Motion Picture
and Television Operations Manual and accompanying
Waiver. The Waiver is specific to those Federal Aviation
Regulations specified in the approved manual. Additionally,
a copy of the FAA required Plan of Activity and approved
Motion Picture and Television Operations Manual will
be available to the Production Company prior to all
aerial operations.
- The Pilot in Command is at all times the final
authority over his/her helicopter and shall be in
command of his/her flight operations and/or related
activities.
The Pilot in Command and/or Aerial Coordinator shall
have the authority to abort any flight operation
in the interest of safety. Abort signals shall be
specified ahead of time.
- Communications: The Aerial Coordinator and/or the
Pilot in Command will coordinate with the designated
production representative and implement a plan for
communications between the participants in the air
and on the ground.
The plan will incorporate the following:
a. Designated ground contact personnel.
b. Air to ground radios, VHF or FM.
c. Assignment of discreet frequencies (channels).
d. Visual signals (flags, specified hand signals,
light or flare) shall be used to halt filming in
the event of lost communications or inability to
utilize radios.
e. Abort signals, audible and visual to halt filming
in the event of unforeseen circumstances or safety
hazards.
- At the start of each day’s filming the Aerial
Coordinator and/or Pilot in Command and the designated
production representative will conduct a briefing/
SAFETY MEETING for the production staff and those
persons necessary for filming, including emergency,
safety and security personnel.
Note: A subsequent briefing/SAFETY MEETINGS shall
be required as necessary for intended action sequences
and/or scenes
All BRIEFINGS/SAFETY MEETINGS shall include the
following:
a. Pertinent items and the special provisions of
the Aerial Coordinator and/or Pilot(s) in Command,
Motion Picture and Television Operations Manual
and accompanying Waiver, along with any additional
provisions
issued by the local FAA Flight Standards District
Office.
b. Possible risk to personnel who are involved.
c. Safeguards to personnel and equipment.
d. Communications.
e. Emergency procedures.
f. Location of boundaries.
g. Local governmental limitations or restrictions,
if any.
- A preplanned stunt and/or special effect sequence
will not be changed in any way without the authorization
of the Aerial Coordinator and/or Pilot in Command.
No changes shall be made once the helicopter(s) is/are
airborne.
- The Aerial Coordinator and/or Pilot in Command
shall designate one person as the Ground safety contact
with no other responsibilities. The helicopter support
truck Operator may be designated as the ground safety
contact around the helicopter, if qualified.
- If there is a question as to safety of any aerial
filming sequence involving low, over-the-camera shots,
a briefing/Safety Meeting shall be held between the
Aerial Coordinator and/or Pilot in Command and concerned
persons as to whether the use of a locked-off camera
is necessary.
- No smoking within 100 feet of the helicopter or
support fuel truck.
- Remain at least 50 feet away from the helicopter
unless directed by the Aerial Coordinator and/or
Pilot in Command or ground safety contact. Under
no circumstances should you approach the helicopter
without permission from the ground safety contact
or the Pilot in Command.
- Whether the rotors are turning or not, ALWAYS approach
and leave the helicopter from the front. Prior to
your approach of the helicopter you shall:
a. Make acknowledged eye contact with the pilot.
b. Proceed to the helicopter only after the pilot
has acknowledged your presence and waves you forward.
c. Never run.
d. Walk, looking forward at all times.
e. Never walk downhill towards a helicopter.
f. Never walk uphill away from a helicopter.
- Never walk near or around the rear and tail sections
of the helicopter, whether it is running or not.
- Never walk under the tail section of the helicopter,
whether it is running or not.
- Carry all equipment parallel to the ground when
within 50 feet of a helicopter. Do not vertically
extend any equipment, (i.e., cameras, lights, or
sound boom) into rotor blades, whether it is running
or not.
- Necessary Crew and Persons Authorized:
Flight operations closer than 500 feet of persons
will include only those persons consenting to be
in close proximity to the aircraft and who are
directly involved and necessary for filming.
The Aerial Coordinator and/or Pilot in Command and
the designated production and security personnel
will maintain an area perimeter to insure that no
unauthorized persons are allowed within 500 feet
of the flight operations.
- Personal Protective Equipment shall be utilized
as required.
- Never under any circumstance throw anything such
as grip tape, clothing, paper, etc. around the helicopter,
whether it is running or not.
- The landing area should be cleared of debris and,
where necessary, wet down. Ensure all equipment is
tied down or stored away from the area.
- Do not wear any loose clothing that may blow off,
such as hats, when operating near a running helicopter.
Protect your eyes, as well as your equipment, when
helicopter is landing or taking off.
- Rotor blades and fuselage can be easily damaged
while on the ground. Never push, handle, sit on or
in, or lay any objects of any kind on an aircraft
without the pilot's permission.
- If a foreign object falls into or against an aircraft,
report it immediately to the pilot or aerial coordinator.
- Never allow cast or crew to occupy an aircraft
while engines are running or rotors are turning,
unless authorized by the Pilot in Command.
- When working on location or when utilizing Department
of Defense aircraft, local agencies, regional police,
fire, park department regulations, or military guidelines
may vary from this bulletin. The more stringent guidelines
will always be in effect. Additional permits may
be required for landing or refueling operations.
- The production company must notify all cast and
crew members and the front of the studio call sheet
shall contain a statement to the effect that:
"
An aircraft is being used and will be flown in close
proximity to crew and equipment. Anyone objecting
will notify the production manager or 1st AD prior
to any filming."
A COPY OF THIS BULLETIN SHALL BE ATTACHED TO THE CALL
SHEET ON DAYS THE AIRCRAFT IS BEING UTILIZED |
