S92 unlicensed for elevated helipads?

[mini]

Story at the link below, could anyone explain the reason for this?

Children?s hospital helipad will be ?unusable? by some craft (http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/children-s-hospital-helipad-will-be-unusable-by-some-craft-1.2449997)

[rugmuncher]

From the last paragraph of the article:
"MRI machines in the new hospital could affect the compass of helicopters landing at the helipad, he conceded, but by the time this occurred pilots would be flying visually and not relying on their compass. The nearest MRI is over 30 metres away from a flight path, while best practice suggests a minimum distance of 15 metres.".

If you need further explanation I'm sure there will be others who will be able to give you a full reasoning.

[Hot_LZ]

Sounds like the compass excuse is complete garbage. As mentioned the landings would be visual. Could also just slip the compasses into DG. Sounds like it may be something a bit more complex that restricts the 92s.

LZ

[26500lbs]

I agree with Hot_LZ. Compass to DG as a part of the descent/pre-landing checks will sort the issue for the helicopter. The MRI will not affect the compass unit in the S92 at all if it is in DG mode. A standard procedure for all offshore landings. There is considerably more potential for interference on offshore installations and ships than at a hospital i suspect, which leads me also to wonder if there is another agenda not being aired. Noise possibly? It should certainly be discussed as the S92 is certainly not a quiet machine for those in the vicinity of the landing area (and for that matter anywhere near the approach). I am pretty sure the compass would need to be set to DG for Air Corps AW machines as well, as I think they are equally affected by interference of the magnetic field. ;)

[212man]

Maybe the Irish CG rules require them to operate PC1? If so, there is indeed no RFM procedure that allows this from an elevated helipad. The RFM Part 2 elevated helideck profiles were designed to be flown PC2e, so there is a lack of data for the Take Off distance required which means you cannot determine where the first segment begins and ends (and by definition, the second segment) which means you cannot demonstrate obstacle clearance in the departure path.

That said, the Cat Ground Level helipad procedure should be usable on an elevated pad, and approval to do so should be relatively easy to obtain I'd have thought - maybe a letter of non-objection or similar from SAC?

[whoknows idont]

Maybe it's too heavy for the pad?

[pilot and apprentice]

Maybe it's too heavy for the pad?

My thoughts exactly

[[email protected]]

And mine:ok:

[Pink Panther]

Yes Hedski,

The whole thing in relation to the above is a bit shambolic. Helipads at Hospitals been turned into car parks for consultants........allegedly. A total lack of joined up thinking by all involved. You have pretty much hit the nail on the head with your post.

[Vertical T/O]

Think the pad is rated for 12000kg so that's not the issue. PC1 sounds like the reason. What's the largest machine that could be used with PC1 capabilities. I believe Aer Corp Aw139 will be able to use it. Anything bigger?

[Pink Panther]

Yes Vert T/O,

I don't know about bigger. But how does that work for the Aer Corp 139 when carrying civilians to and from the pad in question ?

[[email protected]]

It will depend on how the aircraft is registered I suspect.

If they are military registered they might be operated to military rules and regs which don't usually include PC1 or 2 profiles.

If they don't have exemptions and are operated iaw the RFM, it does beg the question about performance with pax on board.

[LoveHelicopters]

Has anyone come across a photo of an S92 landing at roof top helipad in the UK? Any reference hospital sites in the UK where they do take S92s to the roof helipad?