QuestionsQuestions (ATO SAFETY CIRCULAR NO. 01-95)
It became effective after fifteen (15) days from January 30, 1995 (the date of adoption).
Helicopters without emergency floatation gear shall no longer be allowed to fly over bodies of water beyond the power-off gliding distance from the shoreline.
Pilots must set the emergency floatation gear to “arm” only when there is the possibility of immediate usage.
Extra caution is required to prevent accidental actuation of the gear, especially at low level flight and at airspeed above 70 MPH.
It prohibits flight over water beyond the power-off gliding distance from the shoreline for helicopters that do not have emergency floatation gear.
Yes, but only within the power-off gliding distance from the shoreline; beyond that distance is prohibited.
Pilots must ensure each passenger is given a lifevest and properly briefed on its proper use and evacuation procedure before each such flight.
Before each flight that is planned to fly over bodies of water.
It indicates that compliance is mandatory and that violations are not merely optional or advisory.
It was adopted/signed by (SGD.) Panfilo V. Villaruel, Jr., Assistant Secretary.
Accidental actuation of the emergency floatation gear, particularly at low altitude and at airspeed above 70 MPH.
The pilot should not set the emergency floatation gear to “arm,” since arming must only be done when immediate usage is possible.
Compliance is conditional on the rest of the Circular’s requirements—especially proper passenger lifevest distribution and briefing, and correct arming procedures if applicable. The Circular’s water-distance prohibition applies specifically beyond the gliding distance.
Airspeed above 70 MPH is explicitly mentioned.
Whether the helicopter lacked emergency floatation gear; whether it flew over bodies of water beyond the power-off gliding distance from the shoreline; whether arming rules were followed; and whether passengers were given lifevests and properly briefed before the flight planned to fly over water.