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11 regularities of ground and navigational facilities. When any meteorological condition or irregularity of ground or navigational facilities is encountered in flight, the knowledge of which the pilot in command considers essential to the safety of other flights, he shall notify an appropriate ground radio station as soon as practicable. Such information shall thereupon be relayed by that station to the appropriate governmental agency. §46.362 Reporting mechanical irregularities. The pilot in command shall enter or cause to be entered in the maintenance log of the helicopter all mechanical irregularities encountered during flight. He shall, prior to each flight, inspect the log to ascertain the status of any irregularities entered in the log at the end of the last preceding flight. §46.364 Weather minimums. No flight shall be initiated, continued en route, or landed at destination unless it is conducted in accordance with the weather requirements prescribed in the operations specifications. FLIGHT RELEASE RULES §46.381 Flight release. No flight shall be initiated without the pilot in command executing a flight release form setting forth the conditions under which the flight will be conducted and certifying that the flight will be conducted in accordance with the regulations in this subchapter and the air carrier's operations specifications. When such flights originate at locations other than the normal operating base, such flight release forms may be executed orally to the operation control center, in which case such shall be made a matter of record. Flights which have remained at an intermediate heliport in excess of one hour shall require a new flight release. §46.382 Familiarity with weather conditions. No pilot in command shall execute a flight release unless he is thoroughly familiar with existing and anticipated weather conditions along the route to be flown. §46.383 Facilities and services. The operational control center shall furnish to the pilot in command all available current reports or information pertaining to irregularities of navigational facilities and heliport conditions which may affect the safety of the flight. It shall also furnish the pilot, while en route, any additional available information concerning meteorological conditions and irregularities of facilities and services which may affect the safety of the flight. §46.384 Helicopter equipment required for flight release. All helicopters released shall be airworthy and shall be equipped in accordance with the provisions of §46.170. §46.385 Communications facilities required for flight release. No helicopter shall be released for flight over any route or route segment unless the communications facilities required by §46.34 are in satisfactory operating condition. §46.386 Flight release under HVR. Helicopters shall be released for operation under HVR only if the appropriate weather reports and forecasts, or a combination thereof, indicate that the ceilings and visibilities along the route to be flown are, and will remain, at or above the minimums required for flight under HVR until the flight arrives at the heliport or heliports of intended landing specified in the flight release. §46.387 HIR operations. When an air carrier makes application for authorization to conduct instrument operations, and the Administrator, upon investigation, fins that the helicopter is properly certificated for instrument flight and its pilots are capable of instrument flight in helicopters, he may authorize such instrument operation. When such authorization is granted, complete operations procedures for such authorization shall be specified in the air carrier operations specifications. §46.388 Visual ground reference requirements. Except when authorized under §46.387, no helicopter shall be operated unless meteorological conditions permit sufficient visual ground reference to allow proper control of the helicopter. At night, ample ground reference lights shall be available for that purpose. §46.391 Continuance of flight; flight hazards. (a) No helicopter shall be continued in flight toward any heliport to which it has been released when, in the opinion of the pilot in command or the air carrier, the flight cannot be completed with safety, unless in the opinion of the pilot in command there is no safer procedure. In the latter event, continuation shall constituter an emergency situation as set forth in §46.360. (b) If any item of equipment required pursuant to the regulations of this subchapter for the particular operation being conducted becomes unserviceable en route, the pilot in command shall comply with the procedures specified in the manual for such occurrence: Provided, That the Administrator may authorize the incorporation in the air carrier manual of procedures for the continued operation of a helicopter beyond a scheduled terminal where he finds that, in the particular circumstances of the case, literal compliance with this requirement is not necessary in the interest of safety. §46.392 Operation in icing conditions. (a) A helicopter shall not be released, or en route operations continued, or landing made when, in the opinion of the pilot in command or the air carrier, icing conditions are expected or encountered which might adversely affect the safety of the flight. (b) No helicopter shall take off or continue en route operations when frost, snow, or ice is adhering to the rotors, control surfaces or other movable parts of the helicopter. §46.393 Release and continuance of flight. (a) A heliport specified as the intended destination may be changed en route to another regular, provisional, or refueling heliport, providing the original flight release is amended. (b) When the flight release is amended while the helicopter is en route, such amendment shall be made a matter of record. §46.396 Fuel supply for HVR operations. No helicopter shall be released for flight unless it carries sufficient fuel: (a) To fly to the heliport to which released, and thereafter; (b) To fly for a period of at least 20 minutes at normal cruising consumption. §46.397 Factors involved in computing fuel required. In computing the fuel required, consideration shall be given to the wind and other weather conditions forecast, traffic delays anticipated, and any other conditions which might delay the landing of the helicopter. Required fuel shall be additional to unusable fuel. §46.405 Take-off and landing weather minimums; HVR. Irrespective of any clearance which may be obtained from air traffic control, no helicopter shall take off or land when the reported ceiling or ground visibility is less than that specified in the air carrier's operations specifications. §46.408 Minimum flight altitudes. Minimum flight altitudes shall be prescribed by the Administrator in the interest of safety for any route or portion thereof. In establishing such minimum altitudes the Administrator shall consider the character of the terrain to be traversed, the type of helicopter involved, the availability of suitable emergency autorotative landing areas, the quality and quantity of meteorological service, the navigational facilities available, and other flight conditions as may be pertinent. §46.412 Preparation of load manifest. The air carrier shall be responsible for the preparation and accuracy of a load manifest form prior to each take-off. This form shall be prepared by personnel of the air carrier charged with the duty of supervising the loading of helicopters and the preparation of load manifest forms or by other qualified persons authorized by the air carrier. REQUIRED RECORDS AND REPORTS §46.500 Records. Each scheduled air carrier shall maintain records and submit reports in accordance with the requirements of §§46.501 through 46.511. All records shall be retained for the period specified in Part 249 of Subchapter B of this chapter (Economic Regulations), unless otherwise specified in §§46.501 through 46.511. §46.501 Crew member records. Each air carrier shall maintain current records of every crew member. These records shall contain such information concerning the qualifications of each such crew member as is necessary to show compliance with the appropriate requirements of the regulations of this subchapter, e. g., proficiency and route checks, helicopter qualifications, training, physical examinations, and flight time records. The disposition of any flight crew member released from the employ of the air carrier, or who becomes physically or professionally disqualified, shall be indicated in these records which
