Course duration: 1 day

The Helideck Assistant (HDA) course is a specialized training aimed at the crews of seagoing ships, drilling rigs, and offshore installations equipped with a helicopter deck (helideck). The role of the HDA is crucial for the safe and smooth conduct of aviation operations at sea. Assistants work in the highest risk zone – directly on the landing pad, near the operating helicopter rotors. Under the strict command of the Helicopter Landing Officer (HLO), they are responsible for routine operations: physical preparation of the helideck, safe escorting of passengers, loading and unloading of cargo, and refueling of the helicopter. Furthermore, in the event of any malfunction or aircraft accident, the HDA team constitutes the first line of firefighting and rescue response.

Requirements:

• A valid identity document (ID card / passport / mObywatel app)

The course price includes:

• Cost of issuing the certificate / attestation by the Maritime Office / Maritime School
• Coffee / tea
• Free parking

Additional fees:

• Courier delivery of documents (upon request)

Certificate validity:

• 4 years

Course program:

The training program combines knowledge of procedures with physical fitness in emergency situations:

• Aviation regulations and procedures – understanding the marine helideck environment, basic regulations (CAP 437), identification of danger zones around the helicopter.
• Routine operations – verification of the technical condition of the helideck (e.g., safety nets, lighting), loading/unloading procedures for cargo and baggage.
• Passenger management – safely boarding and disembarking personnel from the helicopter, controlling the passenger manifest.
• Helicopter refueling procedures – safety during offshore bunkering (refueling) operations.
• Emergency response – types of fire-extinguishing systems on the helideck (foam, powder, CO2). Tactics for approaching a burning helicopter, securing escape routes for the flight crew and passengers, and searching for casualties.

What will you learn?

By participating in this training, you will acquire practical skills that will allow you to:

• Quickly and correctly prepare the helideck and rescue equipment before the aircraft’s arrival.
• Safely move within the rotor operating zone and effectively communicate with passengers and the rest of the HDA team using gestures (hand/visual signals) in a high-noise environment.
• Properly operate the fire-extinguishing systems and monitors available on the helideck.
• Flawlessly respond to the commands of the commanding Helicopter Landing Officer (HLO) during standard operations and in critical situations.

What does the training look like?

Trainings are held in a lecture room. Instructors discuss the role of the HDA, the rules for working with helicopters, and analyze recordings of real operations and incidents on offshore helidecks.

Where does the training take place and is there parking?

The training takes place in Gdynia at 13A Polska Street. Free parking is located at 6 Chrzanowskiego Street. The barrier code is provided when the course is confirmed by the secretariat staff.