The Helideck Assistant (HDA) Initial Training is an OPITO designed course created to familiarize offshore personnel designated to act as Helideck assistants with their duties i.e. general  maintenance and testing of Helideck systems and help with helicopter embarkation and disembarkation and cargo handling. HDA is supervised by Helicopter Landing Officer (HLO).

Objectives:

The main goals of the Helideck Assistant (HDA) Initial Training are:

• To provide trainees with understanding of duties and responsibilities of an HDA;
• To familiarize students with the Helideck construction features and relevant equipment;
• To teach them identify metrological conditions suitable for helicopter operations;
• Delegates to take active part in passenger and cargo handling with particular premium on identifying dangerous goods.

Course content:

• Offshore Helideck regulations and guidelines;
• Helideck Assistant’s routine duties and responsibilities;
• Helicopter and Helideck operation hazard and management systems;
• Helideck construction features and equipment;
• Helideck operations preparations and protocols;
• Meteorology;
• Passenger embarkation and disembarkation assistance;
• Cargo handling; transportation of dangerous goods;
• Emergency procedures on the Helideck.

Assessment: Direct observation throughout the course and oral or written examination.

Target Audience: Offshore personnel appointed to work as Helideck Assistants (HDA).

Pre-requisites: None, but medical certificate.

 Duration: 2.5 days

Validity: there is no expiry.*

*Note: Please note that although there is officially no expiry for Helideck Assistant Initial Training (HDA) certificate, personnel appointed as HDAs must complete Helideck Emergency Team Member (HERTM) training within 2 years after their HDA course.