Reference materials, guides, and tools for helideck safety professionals.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| D-value | The size category of helicopter that the helideck is designed to accommodate |
| T-value | The maximum weight of helicopter that the helideck is designed to support |
| HLAC | Helicopter Landing Area Certificate; the certification document issued by an accredited Aviation Inspection Body |
| HLO | Helicopter Landing Officer; the primary crew member responsible for helideck operations |
| HDA | Helideck Assistant; crew member trained to support the HLO during helicopter operations |
| DIFFS | Deck Integrated Fire Fighting System; a fixed firefighting system for helidecks |
| FMS | Fixed Monitor System; a firefighting system using foam or water |
| HMS | Helideck Monitoring System; equipment for measuring helideck motion and environmental conditions |
| AIB | Aviation Inspection Body; an accredited organization authorized to issue HLACs |
| CAP 437 | UK Civil Aviation Authority publication defining offshore helideck standards (global benchmark) |
| MCA | Maritime and Coastguard Agency; UK maritime authority |
| SOLAS | International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea |
| ICAO | International Civil Aviation Organization |
France has specific requirements for helicopter operations on vessels operating in French waters or calling at French ports. The Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC) is the French civil aviation authority responsible for aviation regulation, while the Direction des Affaires Maritimes (DAM) oversees maritime safety.
For helideck operations in French territory (including overseas departments and territories such as Monaco approaches, Corsica, and the French Riviera), operators must be aware of the following:
Yacht operators planning Mediterranean itineraries that include France should engage with their AOC holder and aviation legal counsel to ensure all French-specific requirements are met before the first flight in French airspace.
Before engaging any helicopter operator for commercial operations, verify their Air Operator Certificate (AOC) through the relevant civil aviation authority registry. Below are links to official AOC databases.
Always request a copy of the operator's AOC and verify it directly with the issuing authority. An AOC should specify the aircraft types, operations approved, and geographic limitations.
Helideck safety training — including HLO, HDA, and helideck firefighting courses — should be obtained from recognised and accredited providers. Below are categories of training organisations.
When evaluating trainers, check for: current accreditation from the relevant authority, instructor qualifications (TRI/TRE for flight training, assessor credentials for HLO/HDA), recency of experience in maritime operations, and student feedback/pass rates where available.