4/20/23 

AIM 

3.  Recommended Criteria 

(a)  Minimum one

−

third rotor diameter clearance (

1

/

3

 RD). 

The landing helicopter maintains a 

minimum 

1

/

3

 RD clearance between the tips of its turning rotor and the closest part of a parked and secured 

helicopter (rotors stopped and tied down). 

(b)  Three foot parking distance from deck edge (3’). 

Helicopters operating on an offshore helideck 

land or park the helicopter with a skid/wheel assembly no closer than 3 feet from helideck edge. 

(c)  Tiedowns. 

Main rotors on all helicopters that are shut down be properly secured (tied down) to 

prevent the rotor blades from turning. 

(d) 

Medium (transport) and larger helicopters should not land on any offshore helideck where a light 

helicopter is parked unless the light helicopter is property secured to the helideck and has main rotor tied down. 

(e) 

Helideck owners/operators should ensure that the helideck has a serviceable anti

−

skid surface. 

4.  Weight and limitations markings on helideck. 

The helideck weight limitations should be displayed 

by markings visible to the pilot (see State of Louisiana “Offshore Heliport Design Guide” and FAA AC 

150/5390

−

2A, Heliport Design Guide). 

NOTE

−

 

Some offshore helideck owners/operators have restrictions on the number of helicopters allowed on a helideck. When 

helideck size permits, multiple (more than two) helicopter operations are permitted by some operators. 

m.  Helicopter Rapid Refueling Procedures (HRR) 

1.  Background. 

Helicopter Rapid Refueling (HRR), engine(s)/rotors operating, can be conducted safely 

when utilizing trained personnel and observing safe practices. This recommended practice provides minimum 

guidance for HRR as outlined in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and industry practices. For 

detailed guidance, please refer to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Document  407, “Standard for 

Aircraft Fuel Servicing,” 1990 edition, including 1993 HRR Amendment. 

NOTE

−

 

Certain operators prohibit HRR, or “hot refueling,” or may have specific procedures for certain aircraft or refueling 

locations. See the General Operations Manual and/or Operations Specifications to determine the applicable procedures or 

limitations. 

2.  Recommended Practices 

(a) 

Only turbine

−

engine helicopters fueled with JET A or JET A

−

1 with fueling ports located below any 

engine exhausts may be fueled while an onboard engine(s) is (are) operating. 

(b) 

Helicopter fueling while an onboard engine(s) is (are) operating should only be conducted under the 

following conditions: 

(1) 

A properly certificated and current pilot is at the controls and a trained refueler attending the fuel 

nozzle during the entire fuel servicing process. The pilot monitors the fuel quantity and signals the refueler when 

quantity is reached. 

(2) 

No electrical storms (thunderstorms) are present within 10 nautical miles. Lightning can travel 

great distances beyond the actual thunderstorm. 

(3) 

Passengers disembark the helicopter and move to a safe location prior to HRR operations. When 

the pilot

−

in

−

command deems it necessary for passenger safety that they remain onboard, passengers should be 

briefed on the evacuation route to follow to clear the area. 

(4) 

Passengers not board or disembark during HRR operations nor should cargo be loaded or unloaded. 

(5) 

Only designated personnel, trained in HRR operations should conduct HRR written authorization 

to include safe handling of the fuel and equipment. (See your Company Operations/Safety Manual for detailed 

instructions.) 

Special Operations 

10

−

2

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7