Definition

The Rotorcraft Safety Promotion Concept (RSPC) is a program by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to encourage the industry to use voluntary design and equipment features to improve rotorcraft safety.

Description

The RSPC encourages the rotorcraft community to incorporate voluntary options to enhance rotorcraft survivability and reduce fatal accidents. Those options are divided into two broad categories: rotorcraft bird strike protection and mitigation, and rotorcraft crash resistant fuel systems. For both of those categories, the FAA has issued Special Airworthiness Information Bulletins (SAIB).

Rotorcraft Bird Strike Protection and Mitigation

Under this category, the FAA has issued SAIB AIR-21-17R1. The 2023 document notes: "Rotorcraft have a unique vulnerability to bird strike in comparison to other aircraft. Most rotorcraft flight profiles are in the low altitude environment below 3,500 feet AGL, an airspace that is also the most densely populated with birds." The SAIB goes on to say that 90 percent of bird strikes occur at those low altitudes, and the results can vary from benign to catastrophic.

This SAIB outlines two options for reducing the risk of bird strikes and for limiting the damage if they do occur.

The first is titled Rotorcraft Design and Equipment Safety Enhancement Options. For rotorcraft certified in the normal category (Part 27), those features include:

• Windshield material that is bird strike resistant up to a declared airspeed, based on successful testing.
• Bird strike deterrents, such as lights, audio features, and high-visibility rotors.
• Indicated airspeed limited to 80 knots by the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM).

For rotorcraft certified in the transport category (Part 29), those features include:

• Windshield tested to specified requirements, OR
• Windshield not tested but all flight critical components forward of the main rotor mast were successfully tested.

The second is titled Operational Risk Mitigation Options. They include:

• Learning about the local bird population and using that knowledge to plan and fly routes.
• Reducing airspeed when practical.
• Increasing altitude.
• Wearing personal protective equipment such as a helmet and visor.

Rotorcraft Crash Resistant Fuel Systems (CRFS)

Under this category, the FAA has issued SAIB 2023-03R1. This 2023 SAIB outlines options for minimizing the risk of a post-crash fire and for delaying the onset if a fire does occur. The document discusses requirements listed in 14 CFR Part 27 and 29 for newly manufactured aircraft that may also be utilized on rotorcraft that fall outside the regulation. They include (partial list):

• Fuel tanks that meet certain drop test requirements.
• Fuel tanks that meet certain load factor limits.
• Safety features such as self-sealing breakaway couplings.
• Fuel system lightning protection.
• Pads to prevent fuel tank chafing.
• Fuel tank vents that prevent spillage to an ignition source.
• Fuel lines installed and supported to prevent excessive vibration.

The SAIB notes that its subject matter does not warrant mandated airworthiness directive (AD) action. "However, operating a rotorcraft with either a full [crash resistant fuel system] or a partial CRFS reduces the risk of post-crash fires and improves occupant survivability in an accident," the document says.

Further Reading

• "Rotorcraft Crash Resistant Fuel Systems," FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin 2023-03R1, Oct. 3, 2023.
• "Rotorcraft Bird Strike Protection and Mitigation," FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin AIR-21-17R1, Oct. 3, 2023.