Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has reiterated its directives to helicopter operators across the country on safety when landing and taking off.
KCAA Director General Gilbert Kibe on Tuesday said that the authority has noted with serious concern the hazardous operations of helicopters across the country.
Kibe said that such unsafe operations have been undertaken against the backdrop of KCAA-facilitated sensitisation on helicopter operators.
The director-general said that it is the operators’ responsibility to ensure that they adhere to the recommended landing and lift-off guidelines.
“Liftoff and landing should be done at least 3km from activity venues and have at least a 30m radius free of any people,” Kibe said.
The directive comes after ODM leader Raila Odinga’s chopper was stoned in Uasin Gishu
Video of the incident showed that the chopper landed in an area adjacent to the people, contrary to the directive by KCAA.
The authority has informed helicopter pilots and operators that it is the responsibility of a helicopter operator to ensure the aircraft is operated in a safe and secure manner, including making arrangements for securing the aircraft when landing in unmanned areas.
“Helicopter operators are also required to provide sufficient briefing to their clients to ensure that they do not engage in activities that jeopardise safe operations of the aircraft. This includes engaging in any activity that pulls crowds towards the aircraft.”
Kibe said that to further ensure safety in helicopter operations, operators are required to put in place safety measures including written Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and work instructions for ferrying VIPs during the electioneering period which should be submitted to the authority.
Also, the authority has said that it will take enforcement action, including financial penalties or revocation of licenses, on any operators or crew who engage in negligent operations of aircraft which jeopardise the safety and security of the aircraft, persons on board, or on the ground, and property.
