DGAC DSAC Helicopter Rotor Downwash Safety Guidebook

Foreword

This guidebook is the result of a collaborative effort coordinated by the French Aviation Safety Network (RSAF). The RSAF is a national, multidisciplinary group of experts, including industry members, helicopter operators, and experts from DGAC – the French National Aviation Authority – and The French-Speaking Airports (UAF&FA). The guidebook targets primarily heliport and airport operators. However, it was written with all stakeholders and practitioners in mind, including non-aviation organizations operating heliports (e.g., local governments, hospitals, etc.), and each of them should find useful information that they can use to address safety issues in their field of operations as well as to learn about others’ concerns. It provides a state of the art on the helicopter downwash related hazards, as well as best practices on their mitigation in the field.

The document was developed based on a review of the literature available as of November 2022. Resources include documents from the aviation industry (manufacturers and operators) and institutions (e.g., ONERA, FAA, DSAC), as well as lessons learned from past accidents and incidents with safety reports and analyses from BEA, ECCAIRS, operators, and OEMs. It is important to remember that this guidebook is not an advisory circular or a guidance material for certification purpose, nor an alternative mean of compliance (AltMOC). It does not supersede the position of the Authority in charge of issuing required approvals, regarding operations or training.

DGAC DSAC Safety Guidebook

The link to the English version of the document is provided here:
Modèle de rapport DGAC/DSAC (ecologie.gouv.fr)