Rule 3
So if it was even a Class A performance machine, with out written permission, according to the following, (S.I. No. 72 of 2004) it would still be illegal? or I have read this wrong?
I would also read by this rule, that you would have to have written permission to land at a race course, golf course, and hotel, as these would be congested? This is going against everything a helicopter can do very safely? How could the IAA cope with all the permission request coming in every day with the majority of them being very last minute, and on Saturdays and Sundays when the OSD office is closed?
3. Minimum heights
(1) Except as permitted by the appropriate authority or as hereinafter provided
aircraft shall not be flown -
(a) over congested areas of cities, towns or settlements or over an assembly
of persons, at less than -
(i) a height of 450 metres (1,500 ft) above the ground or water, or
(ii) a height of 300 metres (1,000 ft) above the highest obstacle within a
radius of 600 metres from the aircraft, or
(iii) such other height as would permit, in the event of the failure
of a power unit, a safe forced landing to be made,
whichever height is the greatest.
(b) elsewhere -
(i) closer than 150 metres, (500 ft) to any person, vehicle, vessel or
structure, or
(ii) at a height less than 150 metres (500 ft) above the ground or water,
(c) over or in the immediate vicinity of any place within the State, where a
large number of persons is assembled in connection with any event of
public interest or entertainment, save when -
(i) such flights are made with the written consent of the Authority and
of the organisers, if any, of the event and are in accordance with any
conditions or limitations specified by the Authority, or
(ii) the aircraft is passing by in the normal course of navigation and flying
at a height in compliance with subparagraph (a) of this paragraph.
(2) Subject to subparagraph (b) of this paragraph and subparagraph 6 (2) (a) of Rule
6 of these Rules, paragraph (1) (a) of this Rule shall not apply to a Performance
Class 1 or Class 2 helicopter which is being flown without undue hazard to
persons or property but, except with the permission of the appropriate
authority and in accordance with any conditions specified therein, such a
helicopter shall not be flown -
(a) over congested areas of cities, towns or settlements at less than
(i) such height as would enable it, in the event of the failure of a power
unit, to make a safe forced landing;
(ii) a height of 300m (1,000 feet) above the ground or water,
whichever height is the greater;
(b) The Authority may, in the interest of safety, prescribe areas, routes,
heights and flight visibility’s for helicopter flights and a helicopter shall
conform thereto.
(3) Paragraph (1)(b) of this Rule shall not apply to:
(a) an aircraft while it is landing or taking-off in accordance with normal
aviation practice at an aerodrome or heliport;
(b) an aircraft when it is in use for aerial application or aerial work with the
permission of the Authority and is operated in accordance with any
conditions or limitations specified with such a permission;
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(c) a helicopter conducting training for life-saving operations or
demonstrations of such operations ;
(d) a glider while it is hill soaring;
(e) an aircraft flying with the permission of the Authority for the purpose of
picking up or dropping tow ropes, banners or similar articles at an
aerodrome.
(4) Paragraph (1)(b)(ii) of this Rule shall not apply to aircraft practising approaches
to landing at an aerodrome or heliport, or to gliders or balloons, if such flights
are being conducted without causing undue hazard to persons or property.
(5) Nothing in this Rule shall prohibit an aircraft from -
(a) (i) taking-off, landing or practising approaches to landing, or
(ii) flying for the purpose of checking navigational aids or procedures, in
accordance with normal aviation practice at an aerodrome or
heliport within the State, or at an aerodrome or heliport in any
other state, and without causing undue hazard to persons or
property;
(b) flying in such a manner as may be necessary for the purpose of saving life
or as permitted by paragraph (3) of Rule 6 of this Order.
(6) In the case of an aircraft practising approaches to landing at an aerodrome or
heliport as mentioned in paragraph (4) of this Rule, such approaches shall be
confined to the airspace customarily used by aircraft when landing or taking-off
in accordance with normal aviation practice at that location.