Airbus Helicopters has defined a new take-off and landing procedure for offshore operations on/to helidecks called PC2 DLE. This procedure is currently implemented on the EC225 LP MAKILA 2A & 2A1, AS365 N3, EC155 B1 and AS332 models.

This procedure is characterized by:
− PC2 offshore classical profiles including a low rotation point (RP) which is also in effect the take-off Decision Point (TDP),
− Exposure time quantification depending on take-off and landing weight.

PC2 DLE provides the operator with an enhanced level of safety by using a procedure which:
− Minimizes the exposure in case of one engine failure while minimizing the other risks during routine operations, all engines operating (minimizes the risk of collision with obstacles in the helideck environment, the risk of loss of visual references, and avoids risks associated with potential additional flights if payload has to be reduced),
− Is simple and repeatable,
− Achieves a level of risk reduction relative to deck edge strike lower than the highest certification requirements (probability of 10-9 per flight hour for a single failure having catastrophic consequences) in case of one engine failure even at high OAT,
− Achieves an exposure time relative to drop down (risk of sea strike) much lower than 9 seconds in most conditions. This exposure time can be set to zero seconds with a weight reduction,
− Needs minimal additional training (it uses similar procedures to those that pilots have been using for decades).
The PC2 DLE procedure is compliant with the JAR-OPS 3 “PC2 Enhanced” (PC2e) as well as with the EASA Air Operations Regulation (EASA-OPS), Part CAT (Commercial Air Transport) which apply from 28 October 2012.