Today is the day: the revised compliance date for CAP437 Helideck Monitoring System (HMS) Rev.9c has come into effect. The UK Helideck Technical Committee, comprising the CAA, HCA, HSE, and UK helicopter operators, has confirmed this date in accordance with the upcoming CAP 437, 9th Edition, Amendment 1.
The Rev. 9c update is primarily a software revision, intended to address issues observed during the rollout of Rev. 9b systems. While it is not yet a formal legal obligation, operators who cannot complete upgrades today are not required to seek dispensations. Instead, timely communication with HCA is expected, especially for units operating or due to operate in UK waters.
What Operators Must Do If Their Upgrade Isn’t Complete
- Notify HCA via [email protected] with your planned completion date.
- Ensure your Site Acceptance Test (SAT) clearly states the software/HMS standard version.
- Upon acceptance, vessels will receive a provisional “HMS Rev.9c” annotation.
- Final approval will follow the HCA audit and confirmation, including checks on meteorological instruments.
Looking Forward
The Civil Aviation Authority has indicated that Rev. 9c may become a formal legal requirement by June 2026. Operators are strongly encouraged to prioritise these upgrades and meet today’s milestone whenever possible.
WISE Group Support
At WISE Group, we remain deeply committed to supporting offshore operators with:
- Upgrade planning & scheduling
- Software implementation & integration
- Accurate SAT documentation & reporting
- Compliance liaison and audit support
If you need assistance refining your upgrade strategy or preparing documents for HCA, please don’t hesitate to contact our team.
Official Reference
You can view the full HCA Notice to Industry (1 September 2025) here:
