Southern Alps User Group Flashcards
What is the Right-Hand Rule in low-level operating procedures?
Aircraft will climb and descend with the valley wall on their right-hand side.
List the main reporting points used in the Franz Josef valley.
- Franz Pads
- Lake Wombat
- Franz Terminal
- Roberts Point
- Black Hole
- Almer Hut
- South abeam Almer
- Off the Geikie
What altitude should helicopter traffic join at Ebenezer when entering from the South?
4500 feet
What altitude should helicopter traffic maintain when exiting the Franz to the South?
Not below 3000 feet
What is the recommended altitude for helicopter traffic entering the Baumann?
5500 feet or higher
True or False: Helicopter traffic should descend to the Franz Motor Park at a minimum of 4000 feet.
False
What is the appropriate action for helicopter traffic exiting the Baumann for the Almer?
Vacate the Baumann remaining against Mt Roon and maintain height until midway across the Franz Glacier.
What should helicopter traffic do when descending west down the Franz Josef Glacier?
Descend on the Right-Hand side of the Valley, zigzagging if necessary.
Fill in the blank: The Black Hole is a recognized _______ zone.
danger
What is the altitude cap for Heli-hikes south abeam Almer?
5500 feet
What should pilots do when departing outbound from the Heli-hike and Ice Explorer Pads?
State intentions prior to lifting and then depart climbing West to join the outbound traffic flow at Roberts Point at 2500 feet.
What is the standard flight route for aircraft departing Fox Neve?
Approximately from the Buttress – abeam Pioneer Hut – West Hoe.
What altitude should southbound helicopter traffic climbing to Mt Cook from the Fox valley maintain until Boyd Creek?
8000 feet
What is the recommended altitude for ski-plane traffic exiting the Franz Josef valley?
Generally not below 4000 feet
What does PDZ stand for in the context of parachute operations?
Parachute Drop Zone
What altitude should fixed-wing traffic maintain when joining the Fox Neve?
Above 4000 feet
What is the maximum altitude for helicopter traffic joining the Fox Neve from the Victoria Gap?
Remain high to avoid traffic in the trough area.
What is the minimum altitude for helicopter traffic departing the Fox valley north for Franz Josef?
Not above 4000 feet
True or False: Helicopter traffic should avoid tracking west of Canavans.
True
What safety measure should be taken when weather conditions deteriorate rapidly in the Westland National Park?
Adhere to CAA legal minimums for VFR flight at all times.
What altitude should pilots maintain during normal scenic flights at the Franz and Fox terminals?
3000 feet
What is the minimum altitude for scenic flights at the Franz and Fox terminals?
3000 feet.
DOC has agreed to a lower minimum of 2500 feet for helicopter access.
What are the exceptions to the 2500 feet minimum altitude at the Franz terminal?
- Return of a scenic flight when cloud lowers.
- Picking up Heli-hike and Ice explorer clients when cloud lowers.
CAA minimums must still be met.
What should guiding companies do if cloud conditions worsen?
Call for early extractions.
Encouragement is needed for this action.
What is the Right-Hand Rule in low-level operations?
Aircraft will climb and descend with the valley wall on their right-hand side.
This rule applies under normal operating conditions.
When should non-standard procedures be used?
When turbulence or wind shear conditions require it for safety reasons.
Standard procedures should otherwise be used.
What is the mandatory frequency for collision avoidance?
118.6 MHz.
One VHF radio must be dedicated to this frequency.
List three standard position reporting points in the Franz Josef Glacier Valley.
- Lake Wombat
- Alex knob
- Franz Terminal
What is the operational time for the Glacier Country Heliport?
0700 local to 2100 local daily.
How many resident helicopter companies operate from the Glacier Country Heliport?
Five resident helicopter companies.
What is required before taking off from the Heliport?
Ensure landing lights and strobes are on and pause for a second look.
What is the departure route for traffic to the North from the Pads?
Departure to the North crossing west abeam the western threshold of the Fox Strip.
What should pilots do when approaching the Franz pads from the North?
Call at the bottom of Lake Mapourika for the Franz pads.
What altitude should be maintained when vacating the Franz Valley?
Maintain 3500 feet until passing Roberts Point.
Fill in the blank: Non-standard operations in Bush stream and Fred’s Stream maintain separation with _______ traffic.
[company] traffic.
When arriving from the South, what should be called before approaching Canavan’s?
‘Omoeroa Saddle for Canavan’s’.
What altitude should be maintained when arriving from the North?
Not below 1000 feet at Canavan’s Knob.
What is the first action for pilots after lifting from the pads?
Lift, turn, pause, and lookout for other traffic.
What should a pilot do if they observe operations not meeting requirements?
Refer the matter to a senior representative of the company concerned.
What is a key detail to remember when departing to the Southeast for the Fox Valley?
Depart to the Southeast climbing for East abeam the Omoeroa Saddle.
What is the primary collision avoidance frequency for Mount Cook and Westland National Parks?
118.6 MHz
This frequency is also used in the Mandatory Broadcast Zone (MBZ) as published in the AIP.
What altitude should pilots descend to when approaching the Fox Strip from the Fox valley?
1500 feet
This is part of the approach procedure for helicopters.
How should helicopters arriving from the West approach the helipads?
Direct from the West, remaining well clear of houses in the area.
What is the procedure for Glacier Helicopters and Fox and Franz Heli-Services arriving from the South?
Join directly from the South.
What is the procedure for The Helicopter Line when joining from the South?
Join remaining west of the Cattle Yards above 1500 feet, then turn right and descend east toward the Fox Strip.
What is the recommended practice for radio calls in the MBZ?
Make short, sharp radio calls emphasising direction.
What can happen if pilots do not follow proper radio communication practices?
It can create confusion and sometimes brief panic for pilots.
What is the area covered by the MBZ?
From Burkes Pass in the North East to Lake Ohau in the South East, Karangarua River in the South West, and Whataroa River in the North West.
What must each aircraft operating within the MBZ be equipped with?
Radio equipment or be with another aircraft capable of making radio calls on their behalf.
How many VHF radios must aircraft conducting air transport operations in the National Park have?
At least two VHF radios.
What is the purpose of one of the VHF radios in air transport operations?
Solely for collision avoidance on 118.6 MHz.
What should pilots do during busy summer months in the MBZ?
Make only the necessary calls for the safe conduct of their operation on the frequency.
What should pilots do to fit their calls into busy radio traffic?
Report ‘just past’ or use similar phraseology to utilize gaps in the radio traffic.
What altimeter setting should be used in the Ohau area?
Ohau Area QNH available from Christchurch Information.
What frequency provides Christchurch Information on the West Coast?
118.5 MHz.
What frequency provides Christchurch Information on the East Coast?
123.5 MHz.
What should pilots do in the absence of an accurate Ohau QNH?
Set Airfield Elevation until an accurate QNH can be obtained.
What errors can occur when using Airfield Elevation?
Substantial errors due to differences in barometric air pressure when transiting from one side of the Divide to the other.
