Are single-engines safe over cities?
Could someone in New York, Tokyo and Paris let me know whether they can legally fly single-engine over the centre of these respective cities? If so, what altitude restrictions? Any other restrictions?
There is something of a controversy in London at the moment because one ENG operator, who has intelligently interpreted the rules as currently written, has established that it is legal to overfly the Central London restricted zone in an R44. The proviso is that in the event of an engine failure it can land clear of the area without endangering persons or property on the ground.
Personally, I'm not happy with this because it seems to me that it throws all the onus of compliance on the pilot who is subject to clear commercial pressures to over-estimate his own ability to land clear. It is my view that despite it being quite legal, it is not safe.
It is certainly not in keeping with the original intention of the establishing the restricted zone.
The first time it is put to the test, and that could be 10 years from now, or tomorrow, our entire London-based industry could be jeopardised by the already quite strong anti-helicopter lobby in the Capital excluding all helicopters from Central London.
Any views out there?