Flying Over Water

[Al Smith]

I am trying to find out the legality, in the UK, of flying over water in respect of pleasure flights. Does anyone know if you can fly an R44 Clipper II with paying passengers on an ad-hoc basis over water?

[996]

Why do you ask?

[TiPwEiGhT]

R44 floats are not approved by the CAA as far as I am aware for commercial operations.

The company I worked for when I flew a Clipper didn't have it approved for any more than "Safe Autorotational Distance" in the Ops Manual.

TiP:confused:

[helicopter-redeye]

No you can't, so don't fly over water (or not far out, i.e. fly it as though it is a R1 or 2)

h-r;) who thinks it's another daft rule because they inflate just as well and float as well as others :ugh: :* :rolleyes:

[chopperdr]

Urethane Floats Allow Towing Following Water Landing
DART Helicopter Services told Aero-News Tuesday their affiliated partner, Apical Industries, has received FAA approval for their Emergency Float System for Robinson model R44 and R44 II helicopters. EASA and Transport Canada approvals are pending.



The Apical Emergency Float System provides a lightweight and easy to install solution for R44 Raven operators who routinely or even occasionally fly over water, and want the added security of having emergency floats installed. The system is also suitable for installation on R44 Clipper helicopters.

DART tells ANN that in addition to the benefit of increased personal safety in the event of an emergency water landing, the Apical Emergency Float System will allow the aircraft to be towed to safety after an emergency water landing.

The Apical Emergency Float System consists of two cylindrical forward floats and two cylindrical aft floats -- engineered to be mounted on float or standard skidtubes -- and a mechanically activated inflation system, which includes a composite wrapped reservoir. (The Emergency Float System with Extensions is available for aircraft equipped with standard skidtubes.) Each float is manufactured using a lightweight urethane coated nylon fabric and is fitted with inlet check valves and combination manual topping/pressure relief valves.

Maintenance and overhaul requirements are minimal, consisting of an 18 month inspection/leak test and a three year inspection and inflation test. The floats do not have an age limitation, and are replaceable based on condition. The floats are not required to be returned to the factory for recertification; however an Apical recertification service is available upon request. Apical also offers an exchange program for floats and reservoirs.



Apical Industries' emergency flotation and/or liferaft systems are also available for several other helicopter models, including the Agusta A109, A119, AW139, and AB412; Bell 206, 210, 212, 412, and 427; Eurocopter AS332, AS350, AS355 BO105, EC120, EC130, EC135; MD 369, MD 500 MD 600, MD 900; and the Sikorsky S-76.

[Al Smith]

Are you sure on this? I've read cap 393 and it seems ambiguous. It implies that you can if you have the correct safety systems in place.

[plus expenses]

Don't worry. Hand your passengers a camera each, get them to sign a contract saying they are a cameraman working for you then call it a private flight.

No floats, no liferaft, no lifejackets, no CPL, no AOC, no matter. Don't worry it already happens.

Fill your boots.

[Helipilo]

Got one question for "plus expences": your not from the green isle by any chance? :E

[Al Smith]

Really in the UK? Is this actually legal?

[bvgs]

Here's the link regarding the floats with a picture. Anyone any idea on costs and how much they weigh. Sounds like a great idea to me, even if the engine etc gets wrecked by the water at least the machine will float and increase your chance of survival.

http://www.rotor.com/Default.aspx?tabid=510&mid=905&newsid905=54801&&SkinSrc=%5BG%5DSkins%2F_default%2FNo+Skin&ContainerSrc=%5BG%5DContainers%2F_default%2FNo+Container&dnnprintmode=true

[TiPwEiGhT]

Have never needed to ditch an R44 with pop-outs so couldn't tell you how they perform. Flew an R44 with the fixed floats years ago in the UK and France. Landed on lakes with it from time to time, and was good. For the CAA not to approved the pop-outs they must have a flaw in the system somewhere.

Double check with your Ops Inspector (if you have an AOC), may have changed nowadays.

TiP:ok: