FAA · Safety Alerts for Operators (SAFO)
SAFO 06021: Functional Test of the Helicopter Hydraulic System before Flight.
In Brief
What It Addresses
This SAFO emphasizes the importance of operators ensuring they have procedures and training for the functional test of the helicopter hydraulic system.
Why It Matters
Accident investigations have revealed that some operators are not testing the helicopter hydraulic systems in accordance with the rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) or published and approved guidelines. Tests on the accident helicopters would have shown that the systems were malfunctioning or inoperative before flight.
Recommended Action
All Directors of Operations and Chief Pilots should ensure that all training requirements for testing of aircraft hydraulic systems are emphasized during initial and recurrent training. All pilots of aircraft equipped with a hydraulic system should test the function of the hydraulic system, in accordance with the RFM/Published and approved guidance, as part of an accepted aircraft checklist.
From the Document: selected source passages, quoted as written, for a quick overview.
SAFOSafety Alert for Operators
U.S. Department SAFO 06021
of Transportation DATE: 12/6/06
Federal Aviation
Administration Flight Standards Service
Washington, DC http://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/safo A SAFO contains important safety information and may include recommended action. SAFO content should be especially valuable to air carriers in meeting their statutory duty to provide service with the highest possible degree of safety in the public interest.
SUBJECT: Functional Test of the Helicopter Hydraulic System before Flight.
PURPOSE: This SAFO emphasizes the importance of operators ensuring they have procedures and training for the functional test of the helicopter hydraulic system.
BACKGROUND: Accident investigations have revealed that some operators are not testing the helicopter hydraulic systems in accordance with the rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) or published and approved guidelines. Tests on the accident helicopters would have shown that the systems were malfunctioning or inoperative before flight.
DISCUSSION: Performing the functional test of the aircraft hydraulic systems in accordance with the RFM, or published and approved guidance, is required and essential to providing a complete preflight check of the system and essential to the safety of flight.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: All Directors of Operations and Chief Pilots should ensure that all training requirements for testing of aircraft hydraulic systems are emphasized during initial and recurrent training. All pilots of aircraft equipped with a hydraulic system should test the function of the hydraulic system, in accordance with the RFM/Published and approved guidance, as part of an accepted aircraft checklist.
Questions concerning this SAFO should be directed to the Commuter, On Demand, and Training Center Branch, AFS-250, at 202-267-8166.
Approved by: AFS-200
Source: Federal Aviation Administration — www.faa.gov. Reproduced from the published record; FlightPush adds formatting only.
SAFO 06021