FAA's new advisory circular may affect helicopter tours in Hawaii

Policy

Aviation International News | Aviation International News

By Sky Industry News

Jul 1, 2024

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is set to release a new advisory circular (AC 136-B048) that may impact helicopter tour operations in Hawaii. The draft, which was introduced last year, aims to enhance safety by restricting the altitudes at which tour aircraft can operate. However, operators like Maverick Helicopters Hawaii have raised concerns that these changes could negatively affect safety.

Currently, FAA regulations under Part 136, Appendix A require helicopters to maintain minimum altitudes of 1,500 feet except during takeoff and landing. Operators have been using a deviation manual since 2008 that allows for certain exceptions. Jake Harmon, chief pilot at Maverick Hawaii, stated that the FAA intends to eliminate this manual and enforce strict adherence to the altitude limits unless unforeseen weather conditions arise.

Harmon expressed disappointment with the FAA's response after operators voiced their concerns earlier this year. "Our expectation was that these were safety concerns," he said. "They didn’t do anything."

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Vertical Aviation International noted that the draft AC outlines procedures including pilot training necessary for obtaining an OpSpec letter of authorization (LOA) B048 for flights below 1,500 feet in Hawaii. The only exception allowed is for maintaining visual meteorological conditions and avoiding unexpected instrument meteorological conditions.

Operators are concerned about potential impacts on airspace usage and community noise levels due to these restrictions. Harmon explained that flying along coastlines might increase noise complaints as most residents live near these areas.

The NTSB had previously made several recommendations following a fatal Safari Aviation accident in December 2019 involving inadvertent flight into IMC. These included improvements in communication infrastructure and ADS-B coverage in Hawaii.

"There is pressure to pass some type of regulation because of the Safari accident," Harmon remarked. "But [this AC] will make it more dangerous to fly here."