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2 Jun 2026
What is the OPITO Helideck Landing Officer course?
Helicopter operations are one of the most safety-critical activities on any offshore installation. Every time a helicopter approaches a helideck, a qualified professional must be on deck to coordinate the landing and ensure everything runs safely. That role belongs to the Helideck Landing Officer, and the OPITO HLO course is the internationally recognised qualification that trains and certifies people to do it properly.
What is the OPITO Helideck Landing Officer course?
The OPITO Helideck Landing Officer course is a certified offshore training programme that qualifies professionals to supervise and manage helicopter landing and departure operations on offshore installations. It is developed and governed by OPITO, the global standards body for the oil, gas, and energy workforce, and is recognised across the offshore industry worldwide.
The course equips participants with the knowledge, practical skills, and authority to act as the responsible person on a helideck during helicopter movements. This includes coordinating with pilots, managing deck crew, conducting pre-flight and post-flight checks, and responding to emergencies. The HLO is not simply an observer on the helideck; they carry direct responsibility for the safety of everyone involved in each helicopter operation.
Who needs to take the HLO course?
The OPITO HLO course is required for any offshore worker who is designated to act as a Helideck Landing Officer on an oil, gas, or energy installation. This typically includes helideck crew members who are being promoted to the HLO role, as well as offshore installation personnel assigned helideck responsibilities as part of their duties.
Employers operating under OPITO-recognised frameworks, particularly in the North Sea, the Netherlands, and other major offshore regions, require this certification before an individual can legally and safely perform HLO duties. If your role involves overseeing helicopter movements on a helideck, this qualification is not optional. It is a mandatory safety requirement.
Candidates are generally expected to have prior experience in offshore environments and may need to hold, or have held, a Helideck Assistant (HDA) qualification before progressing to the HLO level, depending on the operator’s requirements.
What does the OPITO HLO course cover?
The OPITO HLO training covers all aspects of safe helicopter deck operations, from regulatory frameworks and helideck management to emergency procedures and communication with flight crew. The curriculum is designed to build both theoretical understanding and hands-on competence.
Core topics covered in the course include:
- Helideck operations, layout, and equipment standards
- Roles and responsibilities of the Helideck Landing Officer
- Helicopter types, performance, and limitations relevant to offshore operations
- Communication procedures with pilots and air traffic control
- Pre-landing and post-landing checks and documentation
- Meteorological awareness and weather assessment
- Fire-fighting and emergency response on the helideck
- Passenger management and marshalling
- Incident reporting and safety management
The practical elements of the training are particularly important. Participants carry out simulated helideck scenarios that replicate real offshore conditions, ensuring they can apply their knowledge under pressure.
How long does the HLO course take and how is it assessed?
The OPITO HLO course typically runs over several days, combining classroom instruction with practical exercises. The exact duration can vary depending on the training provider and whether the course is delivered as an initial certification or a refresher, but initial HLO programmes generally span three to five days.
Assessment is competency-based, meaning participants must demonstrate that they can perform HLO duties to the required standard, not just pass a written test. Assessment methods include:
- Written knowledge assessments covering regulations, procedures, and responsibilities
- Practical scenario-based assessments in a simulated or real helideck environment
- Observation of performance during exercises by qualified OPITO assessors
Candidates who do not meet the required standard in any element may be given the opportunity to reassess. Successful completion results in an OPITO-recognised Helideck Landing Officer certificate.
How long is the HLO certificate valid and how do you renew it?
The OPITO HLO certificate is valid for four years from the date of issue. Before it expires, certificate holders must complete an OPITO HLO Refresher course to maintain their certification and continue performing helideck landing officer duties offshore.
The refresher course is shorter than the initial programme and focuses on updating knowledge, reinforcing practical skills, and ensuring familiarity with any changes to regulations or procedures since the previous certification. Staying current is essential, as helideck safety standards and helicopter operating procedures are periodically updated to reflect industry learning and regulatory developments.
It is strongly recommended to plan your renewal well before the expiry date. Allowing your HLO certificate to lapse can interrupt your ability to work in roles that require this qualification, which can have direct consequences for your employment and project assignments.
Where can you take the OPITO HLO course?
The OPITO HLO course must be delivered by an OPITO-approved training provider, ensuring that the programme meets the required standards and that the resulting certificate is officially recognised by operators and employers across the offshore industry.
We offer the OPITO Helideck Landing Officer course at our training centres, with locations selected to make access as straightforward as possible for offshore professionals. Our centres are positioned near major industry hubs, ports, and airports, so you can complete your certification efficiently before heading to your next project.
When choosing where to take your OPITO HLO training, look for a provider that offers guaranteed course dates, flexible booking, and instructors with real offshore experience. Practical relevance matters in helideck safety training, and the quality of instruction directly affects how well-prepared you are for the demands of the role. If you have any questions about course availability or suitability, contact us and our team will be happy to help.
