DATE: Tue., Nov. 13, 2012

TIME: 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
LOCATION: Crow’s Nest Officers Club on Water Street, immediately east of the War Memorial

RSVP Required by Monday, Nov. 12 (space is limited)

Manners of Improving Helicopter Stability in Waves Following Ditching in Order to Prevent Inversion

Presenter: Mr. J. Michael Doucet, Oceanic Consulting Corporation

Abstract: The offshore region of Newfoundland & Labrador is rich in oil and gas deposits and, as a
result, there is significant development activity on the Grand Banks in order to exploit these resources.

Since the producing fields are situated over 300km from the primary shore base located at St. John’s, NL, helicopter transportation is the primary mode of moving personnel between shore and the production facilities. Given that the large distances between shore and the offshore facilities leads to extended flight times over water, helicopter operators must account for the possibility that an aircraft may need to ditch in the open ocean in the event of an emergency. In such circumstances, the aircraft must land safely on water, remain in an attitude that allows passengers and crew to safely evacuate to the liferaft, and, if possible, remain floating long enough to permit salvage operations to occur once personnel have been rescued.

The ability of the helicopter to avoid inversion in the event of a capsize will have a direct impact on the ability of the occupants to survive the ditching and to evacuate the rotorcraft. This presentation will discuss helicopter operations over the Grand Banks, existing helicopter flotation systems, possible
manners of improving flotation systems to avoid inversion, proposed future work, and overall goals aimed at improving safety for those that travel by helicopter.

7:00 PM Arrival
7:30 PM Presentation, followed by questions and discussion
8:15 PM Informal Gathering (finger foods provided; cash bar)
9:30 PM Meeting Closed

Donations to the local section are greatly appreciated.

For additional information contact:
Michael Doucet 722-9060 Ext. 14, Doucet.Michael@oceaniccorp.com

Hosted jointly by SNAME-CAS & Oceanic Consulting Corporation