Certain commercial SPO operations are classified as high risk. This classification (definition of high risk) is up to the competent authority of the concerned territory.
Definition of high risk commercial specialised operations within Switzerland:
For high risk operations the SPO operator needs to apply to the competent authority (FOCA for Swiss operators) for an authorisation before the operation(s) may be started.
The application shall contain and explain the associated standard operations procedures (SOPs) and the relevant risk assessment(s) for the planned operation(s). FOCA will review those and, when satisfied, issue a so called «Authorisation of high risk commercial specialised operations» for the planned operation(s).
Examples for Swiss operators:
If the Swiss definition of high risk and the concerned country's definition do not match, the process remains the same: FOCA (which is the competent authority of the Swiss operator) will have to issue the authorisation, even if in Switzerland the operation would not be considered as high risk.
Note: Swiss customs acknowledged the release of tax on fuel for commercial specialised operations under the same conditions as defined for an AOC holder (SPO declaration and letter of acknowledgement must be on hand).
FOCA expects you to apply for those operations with the following application form:
Make sure to hand in your high risk SPO application form three (3) months before the intended starting date.
Note: SPO.OP.230 and its AMCs and GM give detailed information on how to establish SOPs and risk assessments.
Check here what is considered as high risk commercial specialised operations in other EASA member states.
FOCA GM/INFO - SPO Helicopter (PDF, 1 MB, 23.09.2016)Assists in becoming compliant with EASA Air Operations Part–SPO requirements applicable when declaring in Switzerland
FOCA GM/INFO - Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for helicopter operations (PDF, 821 kB, 04.07.2017)Guidance for operators developing SOPs for their specialised operations (SPO) with helicopters
SOP Operational Approval Checklist (PDF, 369 kB, 04.07.2017)Approval checklist for the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
Pilot Training HESLO and HEC (PDF, 418 kB, 12.02.2018)Overview of the pilot training for Human External Cargo HEC and Helicopter External Sling Load Operations HESLO
Section Operation of Complex Airplanes
Section Helicopter Flight Operations
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