Hazards and Risk Analysis for Helicopter Aerial Work Mission Profiles

Human factors are considered one of the major contributors to the causes of civil aviation (i.e. general aviation and scheduled flight transport) incidents and accidents. The interaction between man and aircraft therefore implies a series of risks and jeopardizes the safety of operations right from the planning stage. In the rotorcraft field, moreover, there are mechanisms (and consequently hazards) which are more complex than those observed in the fixed wing exemplar cases. As a matter of fact, the versatility of use of helicopters leads to operate in missions of complex fulfilment by the pilots, with the consequent increase of the risks.