Droopystop,
The issues should not be confused; an existing deck which does not fully meet CAP 437 compliance will/should be limited by the HLL - this will not change with compliance with the requirement (i.e. no real change there).
It is not clear to me (from the numbers that have been posted) that the impact would be severe for modern aircraft. Look again at the operating masses for your particular aircraft and see what the impact would be. For example, if you are operating the EC155 in zero wind the Pure PC2 mass is 4,750kg - the restricted operating mass with less than 5 kts wind is 4,620kg (which should continue to be applied) and with up to 10 kts, 4,770. In this case the problem is with the aircraft not the system.
There is no Sea State limit on PC2e; the regulation permits Pure PC2 when a Safe-Forced-Landing can be carried out. It is generally accepted (borne out by the ditching approval which mandates the SS4 requirement for all helicopters - and sets the parameters) that a SFL can be achieved in SS4.
For Sea States over 4, PC2e should (in the majority of cases - see my post on the effect of compliance) provide engine-failure accountability. The hard break of 20kts wind between PC2 and PC2e (should it be accepted) will make this transition seamless.
If you have been flying the HAPS procedures (as described in JARs) there should be no substantial change in procedures.
Jim
Last edited by JimL; 22nd April 2010 at 06:36.
Reason: Correction of 155 masses