HDA | Helideck Assistant

A Helideck Assistant (HDA) work alongside the Helicopter Landing Officer to make sure helicopters safely can land and take off from offshore facilities.

What is the Role of the HDA?

The primary role of the HDA is to assist the helicopter landing officer. That includes a fixed routine of helideck operations such as maintenance and testing of helideck systems and equipment.

For the HDA the are a number of additional tasks, which includes passenger embarkation and disembarkation, as well as making sure that freight and passenger baggage are handled safely to and from the helicopter.

In case of an emergency, the HDA plays an important role as an emergency response team member. 

For further training, the HDA is recommended to complete courses in radio communications competence, dangerous goods by air (DGbA) as well as helicopter refueling.

Who Should Take the HDA Course?

The HDA course is designed to provide the appropriate knowledge and skill- set required for personnel who wish to become a HDA.

The target group for Offshore Helideck Operations Initial Training programme is personnel who are to be appointed to the role of an HDA.

The HDA’s on majority offshore facilities are required to have OPITO approved Helideck Initial Operations Training (HOIT) certificate and a Helideck Emergency Response Team Member (HERTM) certificate. The HOIT certification does not expire so once the student holds the certificate it does not need to be re-issued, however the HERTM certificate needs to be refreshed every two years.

Before taking the HOIT course, students must complete a Dangerous Goods Awareness training course and hold a valid offshore medical certificate or possess an operator approved medical certificate. To attend the HERTM course students must hold a valid HOIT certificate and a valid offshore medical certificate or possess an operator approved medical certificate.