| Resumo : |
In order to achieve aviation safety as a whole, the integrity of two pillars is essential: Product and Operations. Regarding product integrity, certification plays a singular role, once ensures that aircraft meets the minimum necessary performance for safe operation, after complying with a series of requirements set out in extensive regulation. In relation to transport category rotorcraft, these requirements are established in USA by FAA Part 29 and in EU by EASA CS-29, as Category A and Category B. Regarding rotorcraft operations, ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) has established Performance Classes 1, 2 and 3 in its Annex 6 Part III, determining in Item 3.1.1 that: "helicopters shall be operated in accordance with a code of performance established by the State of the Operator, in compliance with the applicable Standards of this chapter". Should operations neglect certification requirements, particularly certification performance operating limitations, then intended protection (i.e., aviation safety) remains, therefore, unassured. This is possibly the case with offshore operations, pushed by a supposed commercial viability (increased payload) for oil and gas industry. Aiming to clarify it, the Author critically peruse through an exploratory and qualitative research of historical and bibliographic documentation of both rotorcraft certification and operation issued by ICAO and key CAAs and, in doing so, enhance understanding of the overlaps and complementarity (or otherwise) of certification and operational performance requirements for transport category/large rotorcraft. Finally, the Author suggests to Brazilian Aviation Authority - ANAC - ways forward in assuring the convergence of certification and operational requirements which may best ensure flight safety of the public transported by transport category helicopters in Brazilian Air Space. |