Flight crew limit on helicopter types

[Phoinix]

Looking at some EASA stuff, something puzzles me.
I came accross AMC1 ORO.FC.240 Operation on more than one type or variant which states:

(v) In the case of all other helicopters, the flight crew member should not operate more than three helicopter types or significantly different variants

What does that mean? Operating on three helicopter types... in a day, in one duty cycle, or helicopter type ratings on the licence?

I for instance have 4 type ratings on my licence of which 3 are flown with one operator and 1 type with another. How does the stated AMC apply in practice?

Thanks in advance!

Cheers,
Jure

[212man]

Referring to paragraph iv (and the aeroplane rules) I think it is fair to say it means within a Flying Duty Period, although it could state that more explicitly.

[Ascend Charlie]

I flew a Soloy 47, a Huey and an S76 in one duty period, never caused a probelm, nohtign worng with meeeeeeeeeeeee (that a couple of beers couldn't fix, anyway)

[GoodGrief]

It's a general rule, has nothing to do with duty periods or the like.
You fly 3 types of helicopters and, if you're dual rated, one plank and one helicopter, that's it.

Some countries outside EASA only even allow two helicopter types to be flown.

Read on AMC2 ORO.FC.240, it exlains a bit.

Back in the days a similar JAR OPS rule existed:

JAR-OPS 3.1030 Operation on more than one type or variant

(a) An operator shall ensure that each crew
member does not operate on more than three
helicopter types except that, with the approval of
the Authority, the crew member may operate on
four helicopter types, provided that safety
equipment and emergency procedures for at least
two of the types are similar.

(b) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (a)
above, variants of a helicopter type are
considered to be different types if they are not
similar in all the following aspects:

(1) Emergency exit operation;
(2) Location and type of safety equipment; and
(3) Emergency procedures.

[paco]

It means currency - you can have as many types as you wish on the licence, but you can only actively fly one or two as stated.

[SASless]

What about the FAA idea that "Types" for helicopters means a whole different thing than in EASA/CAA/JAA or whatever it is you are under now?

We lump a lot of different helicopters into one "Type"....of all sorts of different manufacturers.

So how many different helicopters can I fly here if "current"?

[212man]

So how many different helicopters can I fly here if "current"?

Generally not more than one at a time....

[Spunk]

I used to fly for a company operating:
Ec120
Bell 206 L
Bell 206 L I
Bell 206 L III
Bell 407
BO 105 DB4
BO 105 CBS4
BO 105 CBS5

At that time I was trying to stay current on H269 and R44 as well. You really had to concentrate during start-up not mixing up Bendix vs Ceco FCU. On busy days that was quite a challange.

[oleary]

Ah yes, ... the old days

Bell 205, 206 VFR
Bell 212, 214ST IFR
Sikorsky 61, 76 IFR
Arctic ops, night slinging trainer on 212, 61, 76

Every year, ... for years.

[paco]

Yep, Beaver, Scout, Gazelle, PA 23, PA 31, 206/L all at the same time. Those were the days. No fun any more

[Phoinix]

Thank you for the input guys! Lucky for me, EASA can’t touch my types flown for police tasks... I only have one relevant type at the moment Good times.

[Ant T]

I was current and actively flying AS332L (Super Puma), DHC-6 (Twin Otter) and DHC-7 (Dash7) for about 10 years. During one of those years I was also flying BN2 Islanders. Never occurred to me to ask if it was allowed, but no-one ever questioned it......��

[342 driver]

my challenge was always 206 then to the Gazelle. I used to have big arrows I'd put on the floor mat. Right in B206/H500D/F1100 and Left Gazelle and A-Star.
So in an AUTO I didn't' have to think about which pedal to push.
Worked well since in 1 week I had autos in an Twin-Star and 206L3.

Turned out to be fuel contamination which only effected the Allison 250s.
Gazelle and Astar filters were dirty but no flameouts.

Also once had a fuel bladder in a 206B3 back seat spring a leak.
I was flying traffic and didn't like that I was smelling fuel. So I VNE'd it to base and did a fast almost auto landing. Was at 2:30 on the cool down and the engine quit. I just started crying (I'm tough but I am a girl . Called the mechanic who brought me a bottle of tequila and limes... just what the doctor ordered. Slept in the hangar (well I had to fly the test flight in the AM when he'd finished changing the bladder).
Bell said was only the 5th they'd had. SURE...