Gliding distance to shore
 

Does anybody know where to to find the reg that states, "In Canada, single-engine helicopters are not approved for operations beyond gliding distance from land unless float equipped." (quote TP 4263)

The AIM also used to state that you had to be within gliding distance of the shore. But now describes the requirement for life jackets. (AIM 2.11.3 p400)

The CARs state in Air Taxi and Commercial Ops that the aircraft must be equipped with floats for ops over water. Any help appreciated.

Just be sure we are talking Air Taxi and not Aerial Work....google is your friend. Canadian Aviation Regulations (SOR/96-433) - Transport Canada

The regulation is in 703.23
703.23 No air operator shall, except when conducting a take-off or landing, operate a land aircraft over water, beyond a point where the land aircraft could reach shore in the event of an engine failure, unless the air operator

• (a) is authorized to do so in its air operator certificate; and
  
• (b) complies with the Commercial Air Service Standards.
  

The corresponding Standard is in
CARs 723.23 (a).

1. (a) the helicopter shall be equipped with an approved emergency flotation kit and operated in accordance with the Emergency Flotation Kit Flight Manual Supplement;

I feel cheated, nobody told me you could glide a helicopter ;)

Thanks for the reply. I did manage to trawl through that but still feel I am missing something with regards to a privately owned helicopter used for corporate work.

Lack of education. :E

Glide - verb - Aeronautics.

1. to move in the air, especially at an easy angle downward, with less engine power than for level flight, solely by the action of air currents and gravity, or by momentum already acquired.

Guilty as charged :ok:

If you can see land between the yaw pedals you are normally OK.

Unless there is a headwind.

Not only can you glide a helicopter, you can thermal in one as well.

[cough] Soar. [/cough]
:)