Download the PDF consolidation of Part 133 [PDF 120 KB]
(a) This Part prescribes rules that are additions to, and exceptions from, the general operating and flight rules contained in Part 91, for persons performing a helicopter external load operation.
(b) This Part does not apply to operations involving the suspension of a person beneath a helicopter, or the towing of a person by a helicopter, for sporting or recreational purposes.
In this Part—
Helicopter external load operation means—
(1) a helicopter external load towing operation; or
(2) a helicopter sling load operation; or
(3) a helicopter winching operation; or
(4) a helicopter rappelling operation:
Helicopter external load towing operation means the towing, lowering, and laying down of external cargo, that remains in contact with the ground during the operation, by a helicopter:
Helicopter sling load operation means the external carriage, lowering, or picking up, of a load, cargo, or passengers by a helicopter by means of a bucket, net, harness, sling, or stretcher, suspended beneath the helicopter:
OGE means out of ground effect.
(a) A pilot-in-command performing a helicopter external load operation must hold—
(1) a current commercial pilot licence (helicopter); or
(2) a current private pilot licence (helicopter), if a flight instructor (helicopter) has certified in the pilot’s logbook that the pilot has satisfactorily completed the flight training required by rule 61.153 for the carriage of sling loads.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a)(2), a pilot-in-command performing a helicopter winching, rappelling, or human sling load operation must hold a current commercial pilot licence (helicopter).
(c) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b), a pilot under training may act as pilot-in-command on a helicopter external load training operation without a current commercial pilot licence (helicopter), or a current private pilot licence (helicopter), if authorised to do so immediately before the operation by the holder of a flight instructor rating (helicopter).
