BRIEFING FOR SPECIAL PATROL INSERTION/EXTRACTION (SPIE) – BELL 212
Preflight briefing
1. All aircrew shall present for captains briefing including representatives from RSF (if
required), jump masters, pick up men & ground crew. Each person shall be briefed on the
followings.
a. Roll call
b. Weather
c. Mission
d. Minimum crew
e. Aircraft configuration
f. Minimum Required Equipment (Crew & Personnel)
g. Communication
h. Procedure
i. Responsibilities
j. Limitations
k. Safety equipment onboard
l. Emergencies
Roll Call
a. Pilots
b. Air gunners
c. RSF (If required)
d. Jump masters
e. Pick up men
f. Ground crew
g. Medical crew
h. Rescue crew
i. Flight safety coordinator
j. Ground coordinator
Weather
a. Has to be fair to conduct SPIE Operations and should not exceed aircraft
limitations
Mission
a. Carry out special patrol insertion/extraction (SPIE) which has to be authorized by
the Air Force headquarters
Minimum Crew
a. Captain pilot (Have to do a same type of exercise during last 3 months or a dry
training exercise with a QHI within last 3 months)
b. Co-Pilot (Have to do a same type of exercise during last 3 months or a dry
training exercise with a QHI within last 3 months)
c. Two Air gunners
d. Rappel Master (Have to have the competency to perform duties as a rappel
master)
Aircraft configuration
a. Passenger doors and hinge panels should be removed
b. All passenger seats, carpets and upholstery should be removed
c. Steps shall be removed
d. Safety harnesses should be fixed for the safety of the aircrew (Air gunners &
Jump masters)
e. A rope needs to anchor over the helicopter floor board (Refer SOP for the
procedure)
f. Follow the “Deck Anchoring Method” (Refer SOP for the procedure)
Communication
a. ATC clearance shall be obtained for all training SPIE flights
b. Proper communication must be there with the ground coordinator
c. Air gunners and rappel masters must communicate through out with pilots during
the exercise
c. Pilots should have knowledge of international distress frequencies (VHF -
121.50MHz)
Procedure
a. Pick up, hover, take off and drop are to be carried out as per the SPIE SOP
Termination conditions
a. If the winds/weather exceed aircraft limitations
b. If the ropes condition is not safe for the operation
c. If the aircraft fuel exceeding the minimum fuel for landing (Need to plan fuel by
considering the return fuel if operating outside the airfield and also keeping safe amount
for a diversion as well)
d. If the ropes got entangled in flight
Responsibilities
a. Captain pilot
Ensure that the Air gunners and Jump masters are current on the operating
procedures
All crew members are properly geared for the mission
Check the flight plan and weight and balance calculations
The prevailing environmental conditions are to be studied
Maintain communication with the air gunners and jump masters
Be vigilant and alert to react instinctively to any unforeseen circumstance
Ensure the safety of the men and properties
Delegation of duties/ Captains briefing
Stick to the SOPs and deviations are to be approved by the relevant
authorities.
b. Copilot
Assist the captain pilot in inflight operation as per the captains briefing
(Look out, Parameters, Communication)
Flight planning and proper weight and balance calculation
Be vigilant and alert the captain pilot to react instinctively to any
unforeseen circumstances
c. Air gunners
They shall always be in contact with the pilots and shall relay instructions
They are the eyes of the pilots on the situation below and shall provide a
running commentary
Maintain visual contact with men at all times
Coordinate with Jump masters throughout the exercise
Safety harness must be worn and rigged to the airframe during flight
Be vigilant and alert the captain pilot to react instinctively to any
unforeseen circumstances
d. Jump masters
They shall be responsible for the rope rigging, safety of rope
rigging/anchoring, safety of rope, rope lowering and correct hook up procedure
and rope retrieving /releasing
Situational awareness at all times
Be thorough on signals (lift off/emergency)
Be thorough on emergency actions
Limitations
a. Pilots need to refer the flight manual OGE hover performance charts to ascertain
the capabilities of weight, Altitude and temperature
b. Maximum no of troopers can be attached to the bell 212 helicopter ata a time is
four
c. Maximum lateral distance to carry under slung men is 100m for training purpose
d. C of G should be within the limits given in flight manual and prior to get aiborne
e. Weather and terrain condition
f. SPIE operations are to be carried out during day VFR overland only
g. Aircraft performance and handling ability
h. Attitude and confidence of the crew
Safety Equipment Onboard
a. Flight helmet with comms
b. Goggles/eye protection
c. Flight gloves & Nomex flight suit / fire-retardant clothing
d. Rescue knife (secured, accessible)
e. Body harness (for any open door/floor ops)
f. Life vest / flotation vest – for overwater operations
g. Secondary comms (radio/intercom) – Air gunners and ground coordinator
h. First aid kit
i. Cabin Fire extinguishers
Emergencies
In the event of an emergency before hook up or after hook up, the captain of the aircraft
must take measures to minimize the damages to the men
a. If load started to swing, reduce speed or initiate a climbing turn
b. In the hover load exceeding limit – slowly descend and once the hook up me
touch the ground, release the ropes and land
c. Single engine failure – initiate descend to a safe location and when the hook up
men touching ground, cut the ropes on captain pilots’ command and then continue single
engine failure procedures as per the SOP
e. Engine fire in flight – initiate descend to a safe location and when the hook up
men touching ground, cut the ropes on captain pilots’ command and then continue engine
fire procedures as per the SOP
f. Governor Low/High side failure - initiate descend to a safe location and when the
hook up men touching ground, cut the ropes on captain pilots’ command and then
continue Governor Low/High side failure procedures as per the SOP
g. Underwater egress (Need to do dry rehearsals before flight regarding releasing
harnesses – applicable for air gunners, jump masters and hook up men)
