Part 138 - Certification, Authorization and Operation of Heliports

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GACA
العربيه العالميه للطيران المحلي
General Authority of Civil Aviation
GACAR PART 138 – CERTIFICATION, AUTHORIZATION AND OPERATION OF HELIPORTS
Table of contents
SUBPART A – CERTIFICATION AND AUTHORIZATION...... 6
§138.101 General 6
§138.103 Applicability 6
§ 138.105 Heliports Classification and Certification/Authorization Requirements .... 6
§ 138.107 Person in Charge of the Heliport .... 8
§ 138.109 Heliport Management Personnel....9
§ 138.111 Prohibition of the Problematic use of Psychoactive Substances .... 10
§ 138.113 Specific Procedures for Heliport Operations .... 10
§ 138.115 Maintenance Service Provider Acceptance. 11
§ 138.117 Heliport Consultant Entity. 11
§ 138.119 Inspection Authority .... 11
§ 138.121 Exemptions .... 12
§ 138.123 Classification of Findings .... 12
SUBPART B – CERTIFICATION OF HELIPORTS.... 13
§ 138.125 Heliport Certification requirement.... 13
§ 138.127 Application for Certification.... 13
§ 138.129 Issuance of Heliport Certificate .... 14
§ 138.131 Validity of the Certificate .... 14
§ 138.133 Renewal and Amendment to the Certificate .... 14
§ 138.135 Cerificate Holder Responsibilities .... 15
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العربيه للطبيه المصريه
General Authority of Civil Aviation
GACAR PART 138 – CERTIFICATION, AUTHORIZATION AND OPERATION OF HELIPORTS
§ 138.137 Heliport Operation Manual .... 15
§ 138.139 Safety Management Systems .... 16
§ 138.141 Competence of Personnel .... 16
SUBPART C – AUTHORIZATION OF HELIPORTS .... 18
§138.145 Authorization of Heliports 18
§138.147 Application for Heliport Authorization 18
§138.149 Issuance of Authorization 19
§138.151 Continued Validity of the Authorization 19
§ 138.153 Amendment to the Authorization.... 19
§ 138.155 Responsibilities of the Authorization Holder .... 20
§138.157 Permission of Temporary Heliports.... 20
SUBPART D – HELIPORT DESIGN AND ESTABLISHMENT 21
§138.161 Heliports Design and Location 21
§138.163 Permission for Design and Establishment of Heliports. 21
§138.165 Application for Establishing a New Heliport.... 21
§138.167 Grant of Permission 22
§138.169 Construction of Heliport 22
§138.171 Establishment of Temporary Heliports 23
SUBPART E – HELIPORT DATA 24
§ 138.201 Common reference systems .... 24
§ 138.203 Aeronautical data .... 24
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العربيه العامه للطيران المحلي
General Authority of Civil Aviation
[Non-Text]
GACAR PART 138 – CERTIFICATION, AUTHORIZATION AND OPERATION OF HELIPORTS
§ 138.205 Heliport reference point .... 24
§ 138.207 Heliport elevations.... 25
§ 138.209 Heliport dimensions and related information .... 25
§ 138.211 Declared distances .... 26
§ 138.213 Coordination between aeronautical information services and heliport authorities...... 26
§ 138.215 Rescue and Firefighting .... 27
SUBPART F – PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS.... 28
§ 138.301 Onshore heliports .... 28
§ 138.303 Helidecks.... 44
§ 138.305 Shipboard Heliport.... 46
SUBPART G – OBSTACLE ENVIROMENT.... 49
§ 138.401 Obstacle limitation Surfaces and Sectors.... 49
§ 138.403 Obstacle Limitation Requirements .... 58
SUBPART H – VISUAL AIDS.... 69
§ 138.501 Indicators....69
§ 138.503 Markings and Markers .... 70
§ 138.505 Lights 93
SUBPART I – HELIPORT EMERGENCY RESPONSE.... 107
§ 138.601 Heliport emergency planning.... 107
§ 138.603 Rescue and Fire fighting .... 109
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العربيه الحامه للطيران المجتمع
General Authority of Civil Aviation
GACAR PART 138 – CERTIFICATION, AUTHORIZATION AND OPERATION OF HELIPORTS
SUBPART J – ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS.... 117
§ 138.701 Electrical power supply systems for air navigation facilities .... 117
§ 138.703 Visual aids.... 117
§ 138.705 System design .... 117
§ 138.707 Monitoring .... 118
SUBPART K – OPERATIONAL SERVICES, EQUIPMENT AND INSTALLATIONS...... 119
§ 138.801 Wildlife strike hazard reduction.... 119
§ 138.803 Disabled helicopter removal .... 120
§ 138.805 Apron/Parking Stands management service .... 121
§ 138.807 Ground Servicing of helicopter.... 121
§ 138.809 Vehicle Operations on Heliport .... 121
§ 138.811 Sitting of equipment and installations on operational areas .... 122
§ 138.813 Security Fencing .... 122
§ 138.815 Security lighting.... 123
§ 138.817 Dangerous goods.... 123
SUBPART L – HELIPORT MAINTENANCE .... 124
§ 138.901 General.... 124
§ 138.903 Surfaces and Pavements.... 124
§ 138.905 Removal of contaminants .... 124
§ 138.907 Visual aids.... 125
APPENDIX A TO C – CERTIFICATION & AUTHORIZATION .... 128
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العربيه للطبيه المصريه
General Authority of Civil Aviation
GACAR PART 138 – CERTIFICATION, AUTHORIZATION AND OPERATION OF HELIPORTS
APPENDIX A-1. Contents of the heliport operation manual.... 128
APPENDIX D – DESIGN AND ESTABLISHMENT 131
APPENDIX D-1. Details of site and orientation of heliports.... 131
APPENDIX D-2. Consideration for aeronautical study 134
APPENDIX E – HELIPORT DATA.... 135
APPENDIX F – PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS.... 136
APPENDIX F-1 – Requirements for instrument heliports with non-precision and/or precision approaches and instrument departures.... 136
APPENDIX G – OBSTACLE ENVIRONMENT 145
APPENDIX H – VISUAL AIDS 146
APPENDIX I – HELIPORT EMERGENCY RESPONSE 147
APPENDIX J – ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS.... 148
APPENDIX K – HELIPORT OPERATIONAL SERVICES, EQUIPMENT AND INSTALLATIONS.... 149
APPENDIX L – HELIPORT MAINTENANCE 150
APPENDIX M – CLOSED MARKINGS FOR HELIPORTS AND PARTS.... 151
APPENDIX N – REFERENCES AND GUIDANCE MATERIALS 154
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GACA
العربيه للطيران المحلي
General Authority of Civil Aviation
GACAR PART 138 – CERTIFICATION, AUTHORIZATION AND OPERATION OF HELIPORTS
SUBPART A – CERTIFICATION AND AUTHORIZATION
§138.101 General
(a) This part is promulgated in accordance with the Article 33 of the Civil Aviation Law of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which states that no civil aerodromes or airfields may be constructed, used, or invested in, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia without approval of the President. Heliports means aerodromes which include helideck and shipboard heliports in this part.
(b) The heliport design specifications, operation and management requirements for certification or authorization of civil heliports, helidecks and shipboard heliports are prescribed in this part.
§138.103 Applicability
(a) This part is applicable to all civil heliport operators including, those operators operating heliports inside an aerodrome under the provisions of GACAR Part 139.
(b) The requirements of this part are applicable to each person employed or used by a heliport operator certificated or authorized under this part.
(c) Each heliport operator seeking certification or authorisation must comply with the requirements of this part.
(d) All existing certificated or registered heliport operators including those operators operating inside the aerodromes must comply with the requirements of this part before January 1, 2023.
(e) Heliports located inside certificated aerodromes continue to be certificated as a part of aerodromes complying with the provisions of this part.
§ 138.105 Heliports Classification and Certification/Authorization Requirements
(a) For the purpose this part, heliports are classified as follows:
(1) Civil/Public Heliports: A heliport which is open to the public and serves helicopter operations offering scheduled or non-scheduled commercial air services. All civil/public heliports in KSA must be certificated under the provisions of this part.
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العربيه للطيران المحلي
General Authority of Civil Aviation
GACAR PART 138 – CERTIFICATION, AUTHORIZATION AND OPERATION OF HELIPORTS
(2) General Aviation Heliports: A General Aviation heliport must be authorized under provisions of this part, is any heliport used to serve helicopter operations for any purpose other than those listed in § 138.105 (a) (1). General Aviation heliports include but not limited to the following:
(i) Private Heliport. A heliport used for operation of helicopters for use by the owner or operator and not open to the public.
(ii) Hospital Heliport. A heliport used for helicopter operations associated with hospital emergency medical services.
(iii) Flight Training Heliport. A heliport used by flight training schools for providing pilot training and used by the flight instructors, pilots, flight crews and trainees only.
(iv) General Purpose Heliport. A heliport used for recreation, aerial work, or airshows, or to conduct the specified business of an organization other than the classified heliports mention in § 138.105 (a) (1).
(3) Shipboard Heliports: A heliport located on a ship that is registered in Saudi Arabia or a ship registered in any other country and its heliport is intended for use within the national waters of Saudi Arabia. All such heliports other than those classified shipboard heliports mention in § 138.105 (a) (1) must be authorized under the provisions of this part
(4) Helidecks: A helideck located in an off-shore installation for use of noncommercial air operation. All such helideck must be authorized under the provisions of this part.
(5) Temporary Heliports: For the purpose of this part, a temporary heliport is any of the following:
(i) A heliport intended for one time use only; or
(ii) A heliport intended for time limited single-event use.
(b) Each heliport operator must establish necessary facilities and install necessary equipment, appoint personnel for managerial and operational functions and develop documented procedures and manuals as per the requirements given in this part.
(c) Public heliport operators applying for certification must nominate a suitable person to act as the Heliport Accountable Executive in accordance with GACAR Part-5 ( \( §\ 5.25 \) (a) and (b)) in addition to nominating suitable personnel, who must be accepted by the President for the following functional positions:
(1) Persons reporting directly to the Heliport Accountable Executive:
i. Person In-Charge of the Heliport
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العربيه للطيران المحلي
General Authority of Civil Aviation
GACAR PART 138 – CERTIFICATION, AUTHORIZATION AND OPERATION OF HELIPORTS
ii. Person In-Charge of Safety in accordance with GACAR Part 5 (§ 5.25 (c))
(2) Persons reporting directly to Person In-Charge of the Heliport:
i. Person In-Charge of Operations
ii. Person In-Charge of Maintenance
iii. Person In-Charge of Rescue and Firefighting Services (RFFS)
(d) The heliport operators requiring certification must submit customized documents and procedures manuals relevant to the operation. The operators applying for certification are required to submit at least the following documents and procedures manuals:
(1) Heliport Operation Manual (HOM)
(2) Safety Management System Manual (SMSM)
(3) Security Manual (SPM); and
(4) Heliport Emergency Manual (HEM)
(e) The heliport operators applying for authorization under § 138 Subpart C are required to nominate a suitable person to function as the Person In-charge of the Heliport.
(f) The applicant seeking authorization under § 138 Sub Part C may submit separate procedures or a customized procedures manual for Heliport Operation Procedures, Emergency Procedures, Safety Management, and Security Procedures.
(g) The number of managerial positions mentioned in § 138.105 (c) and (e) to be nominated must depend upon the size, nature and complexity of the operations of heliport as acceptable to the President.
§ 138.107 Person in Charge of the Heliport
(a) The Person in Charge of the Heliport assumes the responsibility for the overall compliance of the certificated heliport with regulatory requirements of this part, assumes the direct supervision of the Person In-charge of Operations, Person In-charge of Maintenance, and Person In-Charge of Rescue and Firefighting Services (RFFS) in the certificated heliport, and reports to the Heliport Accountable Executive.
(b) Depending on the size and complexity of the heliport and the suitability of the nominated person, the President may accept the Heliport Accountable Executive to hold the position of the Person in-charge of the Heliport.
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العربيه للطيران المحلي
General Authority of Civil Aviation
GACAR PART 138 – CERTIFICATION, AUTHORIZATION AND OPERATION OF HELIPORTS
(c) Depending on the size and complexity of the heliport and the suitability of the nominated person, the President may accept one person to hold the position of the Person in Charge of the Heliport while holding any of the other positions in § 138.105.
§ 138.109 Heliport Management Personnel
(a) Each heliport certificate or authorization holder must nominate adequately qualified management person or group of persons as specified in § 138.105 (c) and (e), whose responsibilities are to ensure that the organization complies with the requirements of the heliport operation, maintenance, and safety functions.
(b) The certificate or authorization holder must appoint at least the minimum number of management personnel as specified in § 138.105 (c) and (e).
(c) The person in-charge of heliport operations is responsible for ensuring that the heliport operations are performed in accordance with the accepted manuals and procedures and are in compliance with the requirements of this part.
(d) The person in-charge of heliport maintenance is responsible for ensuring that the heliport's maintenance program is carried out in compliance with this part.
(e) The Person in-charge of the heliport safety must satisfy the requirements of GACAR Part-5 (§ 5.25(c)) and reports to the Heliport Accountable Executive.
(f) The person in-charge of heliport rescue and firefighting services is responsible to establish and effectively manage all activities related to the rescue and firefighting services.
(g) Except for the Heliport Accountable Executive and the Person In-charge of Safety, who must be appointed in accordance with GACAR Part-5, the management personnel specified in § 138.105 (c) and (e) must be appropriately qualified, experienced, and trained as acceptable to the President and all such details are to be described in the heliport manual.
(h) The heliport management personnel must have relevant knowledge and skill to perform the duties and responsibilities, including adequate knowledge in the following subjects:
(1) Civil aviation Law and relevant GACARs;
(2) Customized Heliport Operation Manual and Operation Procedures; and
(3) Theory and practical related to their functions and responsibilities.
(i) The President may authorize any management person in the organization, including the Accountable Executive to oversee additional management functions, depending upon the size and complexity of operations and suitability of the person.
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العربيه لطابع المطابق
General Authority of Civil Aviation
GACAR PART 138 – CERTIFICATION, AUTHORIZATION AND OPERATION OF HELIPORTS
(j) The names and titles of the management personnel including additional responsibilities with organizational chart must be listed in heliport operation manual.
(k) The heliport operator must identify an alternate person to each position to deputize that the management functions are smoothly continued during a long leave or absence of a management personnel. The names of deputizing personnel in each function are to be listed in the heliport operation manual.
(I) The heliport operator must inform the President in writing that if any management personnel is on leave or absent for a period of exceeding 30 days, and an alternate person is assigned to ensure continued operation of the heliport.
(m) All heliport operators, must have minimum number of personal required for operation, safety, maintenance, and rescue and firefighting which must be determined based on a task resource analysis.
§ 138.111 Prohibition of the Problematic use of Psychoactive Substances
(a) The requirements prescribed in GACAR Part 7 are applicable to all heliport operators certified or authorized under this part.
(b) No person on the maneuvering area, movement area, or stands/apron of a heliport will be under the influence of any psychoactive substance, by reason of which human performance is impaired.
(c) No heliport operator allows a person who appears to be or conducts by manner or physical indications that the individual is under the influence of psychoactive substances (except patients under medical care) on the maneuvering area, movement area or apron stands of the heliport.
(d) Whenever the President has a reasonable basis to believe that a person is under the influence of psychoactive substances, the President may seek the person to undergo necessary examination or tests at the authorized medical center or lab to confirm whether the person is under the influence of any psychoactive substances.
§ 138.113 Specific Procedures for Heliport Operations
(a) The certificated and authorized heliports must allow operations of helicopters for which the design of physical and operational characteristics of heliport is suitable.
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العربيه للطيران المحلي
General Authority of Civil Aviation
GACAR PART 138 – CERTIFICATION, AUTHORIZATION AND OPERATION OF HELIPORTS
(b) When operational parameters of a helicopter exceed the authorized or certified physical and operational characteristics of the heliport, the heliport operator must carry out a compatibility study and take suitable actions to confirm the acceptable level of safety in operation, prior to permitting such operations.
(c) Information concerning change of operational procedures and operating restrictions implemented at a heliport and granted regulatory exemptions to heliport operations must be published in the KSA AIP.
§ 138.115 Maintenance Service Provider Acceptance.
(a) No heliport certificate holder may outsource heliport maintenance services unless otherwise accepted by the President.
(b) For acceptance of maintenance Services, the heliport operator must apply in a form and manner acceptable to the president.
§ 138.117 Heliport Consultant Entity.
(a) Heliport consultant is a legal entity that has the expertise in discharging the functions of designing, constructing and/or carrying out the supervisory functions.
(b) The Heliport Certificate holder / operator is fully responsible to choose the appropriate consultant based on its ability to demonstrate proven related experience, adequacy of competent personnel, an effective quality management system, and any other requirements related to the consultant's areas of involvement.
§ 138.119 Inspection Authority
(a) President or an authorized representative has the authority to conduct planned inspections, unannounced spot inspection, audits and onsite verification of facility, documents, and records to determine the compliance with the regulatory requirements.
(b) The heliport operator must allow the President or his/her representative to have unrestricted access to all the areas of the heliport.
(c) Legal enforcement action may be taken as per the provisions of GACAR Part 13, where the President determines that a violation has occurred. The president may decide the circumstances or
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العربيه للطيران المحلي
General Authority of Civil Aviation
GACAR PART 138 – CERTIFICATION, AUTHORIZATION AND OPERATION OF HELIPORTS
conditions under which the heliport certification or authorisation holder deal with violation found during the internal process of audits and inspections.
§ 138.121 Exemptions
(a) In case of any deviation from any heliport specification that is permitted under the regulations in this part, an applicant must conduct an aeronautical study as acceptable to the President and provide mitigation measures for safe operation.
(b) Exemptions from the regulatory requirements or standards of this part must be processed as per the regulations stipulated in GACAR Part 11 in addition to requiring the applicant to prepare an aeronautical study to provide an equivalent level of safety to the regulation from which to be exempted.
(c) A list of all granted deviations and regulatory exemptions must be included in the aerodrome operations manual as stipulated in Appendix A-1 to this part.
Note- Aeronautical studies are covered in Appendix D-2 to this part.
§ 138.123 Classification of Findings
(a) A level 1 finding is any significant non-compliance with the GACAR Part 138 requirements which lowers the safety standard and hazards seriously the flight safety.
(b) A level 2 finding is any non-compliance with the GACAR Part 138 requirements which could lower the safety standard and possibly hazard the flight safety.
(c) Level 3 finding is an observation or recommendation to improve safety standards and/or achieve a better practice by addressing deficiencies that may lead to potential findings of Level 2 if not corrected.
(d) On receipt of notification of findings, heliport certificate holder must develop a corrective action plan and demonstrate corrective action to the satisfaction of the President within a period agreed.
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العربيه العالميه للطيران المحلي
General Authority of Civil Aviation
GACAR PART 138 – CERTIFICATION, AUTHORIZATION AND OPERATION OF HELIPORTS
SUBPART B – CERTIFICATION OF HELIPORTS
§ 138.125 Heliport Certification requirement
(a) The issuance of heliport certificate is applicable to the heliports open to the public and to serve helicopter operations offering commercial air operations.
(b) No heliport operators are permitted to operate public heliport unless certified as per the provisions of this part.
§ 138.127 Application for Certification
(a) The application for certification of heliport must be submitted in a form and manner acceptable to the President.
(b) The applicant must ensure that the heliport physical characteristics, facilities, services, and equipment installed and meet the requirements of this part.
(c) The application for the heliport certification must be submitted in a prescribed form along with the following documents, manuals, approvals, agreements, and reports:
(1) Statement of regulations compliance in prescribed form with completed compliance checklist;
(2) List of Management Personnel along with curriculum vitae and relevant testimonials;
(3) Heliport Operation Manual (HOM);
(4) Safety Management System Manual (SMSM);
(5) Heliport Emergency Manual (HEM);
(6) Heliport Obstacle Survey Reports;
(7) Aeronautical Study Reports, if applicable;
(8) Approvals for operation of heliport from Principality;
(9) Agreement for Providing Air Navigation Services for heliport.
(10) Heliport Land Ownership proof or Lease Agreement; and
(11) Any other relevant documents as required by the President.
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العربيه للطبيه
General Authority of Civil Aviation
GACAR PART 138 – CERTIFICATION, AUTHORIZATION AND OPERATION OF HELIPORTS
§ 138.129 Issuance of Heliport Certificate
An applicant may be issued with a Heliport Certificate upon confirming that the applicant meets the provisions of this part and no findings or deviations are reported or once the corrective action plans are accepted and mitigation measures are agreed upon.
§ 138.131 Validity of the Certificate
(a) The Heliport certificate is issued and renewed for a maximum period of three years. It remains valid subject to the condition that:
(1) The organization is remaining in compliance with requirements this part;
(2) The certificate is not being surrendered or revoked; and
(3) The President suspends or cancels the certificate.
(b) Upon surrender or revocation, the certificate must be returned to the GACA.
§ 138.133 Renewal and Amendment to the Certificate
(a) The heliport certificate holder must apply to the President for renewal or reissuance of the certificate at least three months in advance to the expiry of validity of the certificate or commencement of operation. The application must be submitted along with the updated documents and duly completed checklists as per requirements given in §138.127.
(b) The certificate holder must have procedures in heliport operation manual to notify the President of any changes in the organization's activities or approvals or locations or personnel.
(c) No heliport certificate holder implements any major changes as mentioned in § 138.133 (b) without prior acceptance of the President. Major changes are those that have direct or indirect influence in the safety of the operation including:
(1) The physical characteristics of the heliport;
(2) The location of the principal base of operations of the certificate holder;
(3) Change of management personnel; or
(4) The heliport operation manual, operating procedures, facilities, systems, any work that may affect the safety of the heliport operations.
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العربيه للطيران المحلي
General Authority of Civil Aviation
GACAR PART 138 – CERTIFICATION, AUTHORIZATION AND OPERATION OF HELIPORTS
(d) The certificate holder must apply in a form and manner acceptable to the president for acceptance of any major changes that affect the scope of certification and require revisions to the heliport operation manual.
§ 138.135 Certificate Holder Responsibilities
(a) The heliport Certificate holder is responsible:
(1) To maintain the heliport in accordance with requirements specified in the accepted heliport operation manual and requirement of this part;
(2) To update and distribute the heliport operation manual among all stakeholders;
(3) To appoint suitably qualified, trained, and experienced management personnel as required in §138.107 and §138.109 of this part;
(4) To prepare, implement and monitor the service level agreements, in case any of the heliport services are outsourced;
(5) To inform the President whenever services or facilities fall below the requirements prescribed in the Heliport Operation Manual;
(6) To be responsible for the heliport infrastructure development, change management and tasks carried out at the recommendation of the design consultants and/or by the supervisory consultants as per the set standards;
(7) To take the overall responsibility of heliport maintenance that are to be performed as per the approved standards;
(8) To report safety occurrences including any incidents, serious incidents, and accidents to the President in accordance with the requirements stipulated in GACAR Part 4; and
(9) To implement SMS in accordance with the requirement of GACAR Part 5.
(b) Any other responsibility assigned by the President.
§ 138.137 Heliport Operation Manual
(a) Heliport operators, intend to apply for certification, must develop and submit the Heliport Operation Manual (HOM) for acceptance by the President.
(b) Each heliport certificate holder must develop the Heliport Operation Manual as per contents prescribed in Appendix A-1 of this part.
(c) A signed copy of Heliport Operation Manual must be submitted to the GACA in a print form.
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العربيه للطبيه والمحيي
General Authority of Civil Aviation
GACAR PART 138 – CERTIFICATION, AUTHORIZATION AND OPERATION OF HELIPORTS
(d) Granted regulatory exemptions must be published in the AIP.
(e) Maintain at least one copy of updated Heliport Operation Manual at the Heliport and one copy at the operator's principal place of business, if other than the heliport.
(f) Ensure that the appropriate portions of the Heliport Operation Manual are readily accessible to heliport operating personnel for reference on day-to-day activities.
(g) Any proposed amendment to the Heliport Operation Manual must be submitted to the President at least 30 working days before the proposed effective date unless a shorter filing period is accepted by the president. The relevant portion only of the amendments, to be made in the Heliport Operation Manual, needs to be submitted
(h) The revised pages must be appended with the Heliport Operation Manual once the amendments are accepted by the President.
§ 138.139 Safety Management Systems
(a) The certificate holder must develop and implement Safety Management System as per the provisions of GACAR Part 5.
(b) The Safety Management System Manual (SMSM), for the purpose of implementing the heliport SMS requirements as mentioned in § 138.135- (a)-9, must be developed in accordance with contents stipulated in the GACAR Part 5 and submitted to the President for acceptance.
§ 138.141 Competence of Personnel
(a) The heliport operator must describe the following competency requirements in the heliport operation manual and ensure that the persons possess competency with regard to:
(1) Relevant knowledge, skills and experience in the respective field of heliport operation, maintenance, safety, rescue and firefighting;
(2) Appropriate attitude towards safety and observance of procedures; and
(3) Knowledge of the associated procedures of the certificate holders.
(b) In accordance with the job function, adequate initial and recurrent training must be provided to persons to ensure that continued competence is maintained throughout the duration of employment or contract.
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العربيه للطيران المحلي
General Authority of Civil Aviation
GACAR PART 138 – CERTIFICATION, AUTHORIZATION AND OPERATION OF HELIPORTS
(c) The training program must be developed so as to ensure that each employee assigned to perform the functions including operation, safety, rescue and firefighting, and maintenance function is capable to perform the assigned task.
(d) The certificate holder must maintain the training records of all the personnel who have been imparted the training.
(e) Each person in the organization must be assessed in accordance with the procedure as established by the aerodrome operator to ensure that personnel competency is satisfactory for functions to be performed.
(f) Each technical person such as operation, firefighting and rescue, maintenance and safety must undergo refresher training at least once in two years.
(g) Training program must be developed taking into account of requirements of relevant GACARs.
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العربيه العالميه للطيران المحلي
General Authority of Civil Aviation
GACAR PART 138 – CERTIFICATION, AUTHORIZATION AND OPERATION OF HELIPORTS
SUBPART C – AUTHORIZATION OF HELIPORTS
§138.145 Authorization of Heliports
(a) The issuance of heliport authorization is applicable to heliports as per the classification of heliports stipulated in §138.105.
(b) No heliport operator is permitted to operate heliport or provide services without obtaining prior authorization from the President for the type of operations.
§138.147 Application for Heliport Authorization
(a) The application for authorization of heliport must be submitted in a form and manner acceptable to the President.
(b) The applicant must ensure that the heliport physical characteristics, facilities, heliport support services and equipment installed meet the requirements of this part.
(c) The application for the heliport authorization must be submitted in a prescribed form along with the following documents, approvals, agreements, and reports:
(1) Statement of regulatory compliance along with completed compliance checklist;
(2) List of Management Personnel and their biodata with relevant testimonials;
(3) Heliport Operation Procedures (HOP);
(4) Safety Management System (SMS);
(5) Heliport Emergency Procedures (HEP);
(6) Heliport Obstacle Survey Reports;
(7) Aeronautical Study Report, if applicable;
(8) Approvals for operations of heliport from Principality;
(9) No objection certificate for operations of heliport from Saudi Air Navigation Services (SANS);
(10) Heliport Land Ownership proof or Lease Agreement; and
(11) Any other relevant documents as required by the President.
(d) The applicant or operator for heliport authorization may decide to have a separate document for 138.147 (c) - (3), (4) and (5) or a combined customized manual for operation procedures, safety management system and emergency procedures incorporating all in the Heliport Operation
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GACAR PART 138 – CERTIFICATION, AUTHORIZATION AND OPERATION OF HELIPORTS
Procedures Manual (HOPM) depending on the size and complexity of the heliport requirements and operations.
§138.149 Issuance of Authorization
An applicant may be issued a heliport authorization upon confirming that the applicant meets the requirements of this part and no findings or deviations are reported or once the corrective action plans are accepted and mitigation measures are agreed upon.
§138.151 Continued Validity of the Authorization
(a) The Heliport authorization issued will remain valid, subject to:
(1) The organization is remaining in compliance with this part;
(2) Provide access of heliport to GACA officers to determine continued compliance with the requirements;
(3) The authorization is not being surrendered or revoked; and
(4) The President suspends or cancels the authorization.
(b) Upon surrender or revocation, the authorization must be returned to the President.
§ 138.153 Amendment to the Authorization
(a) The authorization holder must describe provisions for an amendment in heliport operation procedures manual as how to notify the President of any changes in the organization's activities or approvals or locations or personnel.
(b) No heliport authorization holder implements any major changes as mentioned in § 138.153 (a) without obtaining prior approval from the President. Major changes are those changes in the organization that affects the standards stipulated in this part or have direct or indirect influence on the safety of the operation including:
(1) The physical characteristics of the heliport;
(2) The location of the principal base of operations of the authorization holder;
(3) Change of management personnel; or
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GACAR PART 138 – CERTIFICATION, AUTHORIZATION AND OPERATION OF HELIPORTS
(4) The heliport operation manual, operating procedures, facilities, systems, any work that may affect the safety of the heliport operations.
§ 138.155 Responsibilities of the Authorization Holder
An authorization holder of a heliport must:
(a) Have a single point of responsibility for the authorized heliport for its management of safe operation, maintenance, and security as per the provisions of this part.
(b) Conduct heliport operations which meet the safety management system requirements in accordance with GACAR Part 5 as appropriate to the size and complexity of the operation.
(c) Report safety occurrences to the President in accordance with requirements stipulated in GACAR Part 4.
(d) Provide initial training to all technical personnel prior to assign them tasks independently, and conduct refresher training at least once in two years to ensure that continued competence is maintained throughout the duration of their employment or contract.
§138.157 Permission of Temporary Heliports
a) No person may use a temporary heliport unless otherwise permitted by the President.
b) An applicant of a temporary heliport must apply to GACA prior to the use of the temporary heliport in a form and manner acceptable to the President.
c) For the use of temporary heliports, the heliport operator and the helicopter operator must ensure that the heliport is suitable and safe in terms of physical and operational characteristics for the intended type of helicopter operations.
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SUBPART D – HELIPORT DESIGN AND ESTABLISHMENT
§138.161 Heliports Design and Location
(a) The heliport operator must give due consideration for design of heliports taking into account the land-use and environmental impact control measures.
(b) Heliport design and location must be selected such that the downwind operations are avoided and cross wind operations are kept to a minimum.
(c) The heliport usability factor and the orientation for approach and take-off direction must be considered during the project feasibility and design stage that heliport is available for maximum time for operations. The usability factor must be at least 95 percent for public heliport for their intended operations.
§138.163 Permission for Design and Establishment of Heliports.
(a) Any person or organization intending to establish a heliport, must apply in a form and manner acceptable to the president for prior permission.
(b) The applicant must be the legal owner of the land or hold valid lease agreement or legal rights to use the land for the purpose of establishment of the heliport.
(c) In case of engaging a specialized consultant in design or supervisory function, the applicant must obtain prior permission from the President by submitting the details of the consultant in prescribed form.
(d) Notwithstanding the permission granted to establish heliports or engaging heliport design consultants, the heliport operator must obtain certification or authorization prior to commence operations.
§138.165 Application for Establishing a New Heliport
(a) The applicant must submit the following documents for the grant of permission:
(1) Application for establishment of heliport in the prescribed form;
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(2) Statement of Regulations Compliance in the prescribed form;
(3) Proof of Ownership or Lease Rights of the land;
(4) Environment Impact Assessment Report;
(5) Heliport Feasibility Study Report (including site selection, weather data, tabulated wind data, wind rose analysis, approach and take-off climb surfaces, transitional surfaces, orientation, obstacle limitation surfaces survey, topographical area map, critical helicopter details, heliport design and master plan with dimensions, visual aids – markings, lightings, wind direction indicators and markers.);
(6) Aeronautical Study Report, if applicable;
(7) Approvals for establishment of heliport from Principality;
(8) No objection certificate for establishment of heliport from Saudi Air Navigation Services;
(9) Details of Consultant Entity, if appointed.
(b) Any other relevant document(s) required by the President.
§138.167 Grant of Permission
(a) An applicant may be granted permission to establish a new heliport, if the President considers that the applicant meets the requirements of this part;
(b) The President may stipulate additional requirements or conditions that are necessary to be included to ensure aviation safety; and
(c) President may suspend or cancel the establishment permission, if convinced that applicant has violated the provisions of the permission or the GACARs that affect the safety of operation.
§138.169 Construction of Heliport
(a) The applicant, once granted the establishment permission, must construct the heliport as per provisions of the permission and requirements of the relevant authorities for construction and safety regulations.
(b) The applicant must allow the GACA to inspect the heliport to ensure that the heliport has been constructed as per provisions of the establishment permission and meets the requirements of this part.
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GACAR PART 138 – CERTIFICATION, AUTHORIZATION AND OPERATION OF HELIPORTS
§138.171 Establishment of Temporary Heliports
(a) For the establishment of temporary heliports, the operator must ensure that the heliport is suitable in terms of physical and operational characteristics for the intended type of helicopter operations.
(b) Applicant must apply to GACA prior to the establishment of the temporary heliport in a form and manner acceptable to the President.
(c) The temporary heliport must satisfy all the conditions stipulated in the President's permission.
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GACAR PART 138 – CERTIFICATION, AUTHORIZATION AND OPERATION OF HELIPORTS
SUBPART E – HELIPORT DATA
§ 138.201 Common reference systems
(a) The following common reference systems must be used for heliports for establishing horizontal, vertical and temporal references.
(i) Horizontal Reference System - World Geodetic System — 1984 (WGS-84) must be used as the horizontal (geodetic) reference system. Reported aeronautical geographical coordinates (indicating latitude and longitude) must be expressed in terms of the WGS-84 geodetic reference datum.
(ii) Vertical Reference System-Mean Sea level (MSL) datum, which gives the relationship of gravity-related height (elevation) to a surface known as the geoid, must be used as the vertical reference system.
(iii) Temporal Reference System - The Gregorian calendar and Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) must be used as the temporal reference system.
§ 138.203 Aeronautical data
(a) Determination and reporting of heliport-related aeronautical data must be in accordance with the accuracy and integrity classification required to meet the needs of the end-user of aeronautical data.
(b) Digital data error detection techniques must be used during the transmission and/or storage of aeronautical data and digital data sets.
§ 138.205 Heliport reference point
(a) A heliport reference point must be established for a heliport not collocated with an aerodrome.
(b) The heliport reference point must be located near the initial or planned geometric center of the heliport and must normally remain where first established.
(c) The position of the heliport reference point must be measured and reported to the President in degrees, minutes and seconds.
(Note – When the heliport is collocated with an aerodrome, the established aerodrome reference point serves both aerodrome and heliport.)
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§ 138.207 Heliport elevations
(a) The heliport elevation and geoid undulation at the heliport elevation position must be measured and reported to the aeronautical information services authority to the accuracy of one-half center or foot.
(b) The elevation of the TLOF and/or the elevation and geoid undulation of each threshold of the FATO (where appropriate) must be measured and reported to the President to the accuracy of one-half meter or foot.
§ 138.209 Heliport dimensions and related information
(a) The following data must be measured or described, as appropriate, for each facility provided on a heliport:
(1) heliport type — surface-level, elevated, shipboard or helideck;
(2) TLOF — dimensions to the nearest meter or foot, slope, surface type, bearing strength in tonnes (1000kg);
(3) FATO — type of FATO, true bearing to one-hundredth of a degree, designation number (where appropriate), length and width to the nearest meter or foot, slope, surface type;
(4) safety area — length, width and surface type;
(5) helicopter taxiway and helicopter taxi route – designation, width, surface type;
(6) apron — surface type, helicopter stands;
(7) clearway — length, ground profile; and
(8) Visual aids for approach procedures, marking and lighting of FATO, TLOF, helicopter ground taxiways, helicopter air taxiways and helicopter stands.
(b) The geographical coordinates of the geometric center of the TLOF and/or of each threshold of the FATO (where appropriate) must be measured and reported to the President in degrees, minutes, seconds and hundredths of seconds.
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GACAR PART 138 – CERTIFICATION, AUTHORIZATION AND OPERATION OF HELIPORTS
(c) The geographical coordinates of appropriate center line points of helicopter taxiways and helicopter taxi route must be measured and reported to the President in degrees, minutes, seconds and hundredths of seconds.
(d) The geographical coordinates of each helicopter stand must be measured and reported to the President in degrees, minutes, seconds and hundredths of seconds.
(e) The geographical coordinates of obstacles in Area 2 (the part within the heliport boundary) and in Area 3 must be measured and reported to the President in degrees, minutes, seconds and tenths of seconds. In addition, the top elevation, type, marking and lighting (if any) of obstacles must be reported to the President.
§ 138.211 Declared distances
(a) The following distances to the nearest meter or foot must be declared, where relevant, for a heliport:
(1) Take-off distance available;
(2) Rejected take-off distance available; and
(3) Landing distance available.
§ 138.213 Coordination between aeronautical information services and heliport authorities
(a) To ensure that aeronautical information services units obtain information to enable them to provide up-to-date pre-flight information and to meet the need for in-flight information, arrangements must be made between aeronautical information services and the GACA responsible for heliport services to report to the responsible aeronautical information services unit, with a minimum of delay:
(1) Information on heliport conditions;
(2) The operational status of associated facilities, services and navigation aids within their area of responsibility;
(3) Any other information considered to be of operational significance.
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GACAR PART 138 – CERTIFICATION, AUTHORIZATION AND OPERATION OF HELIPORTS
(b) Before introducing changes to the air navigation system, due account must be taken by the services responsible for such changes of the time needed by the aeronautical information service for the preparation, production and issue of relevant material for promulgation. To ensure timely provision of the information to the aeronautical information service, close coordination between those services concerned is therefore required.
(c) Of a particular importance are changes to aeronautical information that affect charts and/or computer-based navigation systems which qualify to be notified by the aeronautical information regulation and control (AIRAC) system. The predetermined, internationally agreed AIRAC effective dates in addition to 14 days' postage time must be observed by the responsible heliport services when submitting the raw information/data to aeronautical information services.
(d) The heliport services responsible for the provision of raw aeronautical information/data to the aeronautical information services must do that while taking into account accuracy and integrity requirements for aeronautical data.
(Note — The AIRAC information is distributed by the AIS at least 42 days in advance of the AIRAC effective dates with the objective of reaching recipients at least 28 days in advance of the effective date).
§ 138.215 Rescue and Firefighting
(a) Information concerning the level of protection provided at a heliport for helicopter rescue and firefighting purposes must be made available in heliport operation manual and the AIP.
(b) The level of protection normally available at a heliport must be expressed in terms of the category of the rescue and firefighting service as described in Subpart-I of this part and in accordance with the types and amounts of extinguishing agents normally available at the heliport.
(c) Changes in the level of protection normally available at a heliport for rescue and firefighting must be notified to the appropriate aeronautical information services units and, where applicable, air traffic units to enable them to provide the necessary information to arriving and departing helicopters. When such a change has been corrected, the above units must be advised accordingly.
(d) A change must be expressed in terms of the new category of the rescue and firefighting service available at the heliport.
(Note. — Changes in the level of protection from that normally available at the heliport could result from, but may not be limited to, a change in the availability of extinguishing agent or equipment used to deliver agents, or of personnel used to operate the equipment.)
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GACAR PART 138 – CERTIFICATION, AUTHORIZATION AND OPERATION OF HELIPORTS
SUBPART F – PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
§ 138.301 Onshore heliports
(Note 1. — The provisions given in this section are based on the design assumption that no more than one helicopter will be in the FATO at the same time.
Note 2. — The design provisions given in this section assume when conducting operations to a FATO in proximity to another FATO, these operations will not be simultaneous. If simultaneous helicopter operations are required, appropriate separation distances between FATOs need to be determined, giving due regard to such issues as rotor downwash and airspace, and ensuring the flight paths for each FATO do not overlap.
Note 3. — The provisions given in this section are common for surface-level heliports and elevated heliports unless otherwise specified.)
I. Final approach and take-off areas (FATO)
(a) A FATO must:
(1) Provide:
(i) An area free of obstacles, except for essential objects which because of their function are located on it, and of sufficient size and shape to ensure containment of every part of the design helicopter in the final phase of approach and commencement of take-off in accordance with the intended procedures;
(ii) When solid, a surface which is resistant to the effects of rotor downwash; and
(A) When collocated with a TLOF, is contiguous and flush with the TLOF; has bearing strength capable of withstanding the intended loads; and ensures effective drainage; or
(B) When not collocated with a TLOF, is free of hazards should a forced landing be required; and
(2) Be associated with a safety area.
(b) A heliport must be provided with at least one FATO, which need not be solid.
(c) The minimum dimensions of a FATO must be:
(1) Where intended to be used by helicopters operated in performance class 1:
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GACAR PART 138 – CERTIFICATION, AUTHORIZATION AND OPERATION OF HELIPORTS
(i) The length of the Rejected Take-Off Distance (RTOD) for the required Take-Off procedure prescribed in the helicopter flight manual (HFM) of the helicopters for which the FATO is intended, or 1.5 Design D, whichever is greater; and
(ii) The width for the required procedure prescribed in the HFM of the helicopters for which the FATO is intended, or 1.5 Design D, whichever is greater.
(2) Where intended to be used by helicopters operated in performance classes 2 or 3, the lesser of:
(i) An area within which can be drawn a circle of diameter of 1.5 Design D; or
(ii) When there is a limitation on the direction of approach and touchdown, an area of sufficient width to meet the requirement of (a) (1) but not less than 1.5 times the overall width of the design helicopter.
(d) Essential objects located in a FATO must not penetrate a horizontal plane at the FATO elevation by more than 5 cm.
(e) When the FATO is solid the slope must not:
(1) Except as provided in (2) or (3) below; exceed 2 per cent in any direction;
(2) When the FATO is elongated and intended to be used by helicopters operated in performance class 1, exceed 3 per cent overall, or have a local slope exceeding 5 per cent; and
(3) When the FATO is elongated and intended to be used solely by helicopters operated in performance class 2 or 3, exceed 3 per cent overall, or have a local slope exceeding 7 per cent.
(f) The FATO must be located so as to minimize the influence of the surrounding environment, including turbulence, which could have an adverse impact on helicopter operations.
(g) A FATO must be surrounded by a safety area which need not be solid.
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Figure F-1. FATO and associated safety area
II. Safety Areas
(h) A safety area must provide:
(1) An area free of obstacles, except for essential objects which because of their function are located on it, to compensate for maneuvering errors; and
(2) When solid, a surface which: is contiguous and flush with the FATO; is resistant to the effects of rotor downwash; and ensures effective drainage.
(i) The safety area surrounding a FATO must extend outwards from the periphery of the FATO for a distance of at least 3 m or 0.25 Design D, whichever is greater. (See Fig F-1).
(j) No mobile object must be permitted in a safety area during helicopter operations.
(k) Essential objects located in the safety area must not penetrate a surface originating at the edge of the FATO at a height of 25 cm above the plane of the FATO sloping upwards and outwards at a gradient of 5 per cent.
(1) When solid, the slope of the safety area must not exceed an upward slope of 4 per cent outwards from the edge of the FATO.
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III. Protected side slope
(m) A heliport must be provided with at least one protected side slope, rising at 45 degrees outward from the edge of the safety area and extending to a distance of 10 m (See Figure F-2).
(n) A heliport should be provided with at least two protected side slopes, rising at 45 degrees outward from the edge of the safety area and extending to a distance of 10 m.
(o) The surface of a protected side slope must not be penetrated by obstacles.

Figure F-2. FATO simple/complex safety area and side slope protection
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GACAR PART 138 – CERTIFICATION, AUTHORIZATION AND OPERATION OF HELIPORTS
(Note. — The diagrams in Figure F-6 show a number of configurations of FATO/Safety Areas/Side slopes. For a more complex arrival/departure arrangement which consists of: two surfaces that are not diametrically opposed; more than two surfaces; or an extensive obstacle free sector (OFS) which abuts directly to the FATO, it can be seen that appropriate provisions are necessary to ensure that there are no obstacles between the FATO and/or safety area and the arrival/departure surfaces.)
IV. Helicopter clearways
(Note. — The inclusion of detailed specifications for helicopter clearways in this section is not intended to imply that a clearway has to be provided.)
(p) A helicopter clearway must provide:
(1) An area free of obstacles, except for essential objects which because of their function are located on it, and of sufficient size and shape to ensure containment of the design helicopter when it is accelerating in level flight, and close to the surface, to achieve its safe climbing speed; and
(2) When solid, a surface which: is contiguous and flush with the FATO; is resistant to the effects of rotor downwash; and is free of hazards if a forced landing is required.
(q) When a helicopter clearway is provided, it must be located beyond the end of the FATO.
(r) The width of a helicopter clearway must not be less than the width of the FATO and associated safety area. (See Figure F-1.)
(s) When solid, the ground in a helicopter clearway must not project above a surface having an overall upward slope of 3 per cent or having a local upward slope exceeding 5 percent, the lower limit of this surface being a horizontal line which is located on the periphery of the FATO.
(t) An object situated in a helicopter clearway, which may endanger helicopters in the air, must be regarded as an obstacle and must be removed.
V. Touchdown and lift-off areas (TLOF)
(u) A TLOF must:
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(1) Provide:
(i) An area free of obstacles and of sufficient size and shape to ensure containment of the undercarriage of the most demanding helicopter the TLOF is intended to serve in accordance with the intended orientation;
(ii) A surface which:
(A) has sufficient bearing strength to accommodate the dynamic loads associated with the anticipated type of arrival of the helicopter at the designated TLOF;
(B) is free of irregularities that would adversely affect the touchdown or lift-off of helicopters;
(C) has sufficient friction to avoid skidding of helicopters or slipping of persons;
(D) is resistant to the effects of rotor downwash; and
(E) ensures effective drainage while having no adverse effect on the control or stability of a helicopter during touchdown and lift-off, or when stationary; and
(2) Be associated with a FATO or a stand.
(v) A heliport must be provided with at least one TLOF.
(w) A TLOF must be provided whenever it is intended that the undercarriage of th

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