Originally Posted by
chopjock
rotarywise
All that means is only a qualified pilot may fly the aircraft!
Obviously if the blades are turning for the purpose of flying, you need a pilot in there or it won't fly properly.
However if the blades are turning with no pilot at the controls, clearly the purpose is not to fly!
Interesting point. After all, it is legal under EASA regs for engineers (or whoever for that matter) to perform ground runs as long as he or she is designated by the operator and properly qualified. No pilots licence required (by law, might be by operators procedures).
However, if you keep the helicopter running for hot-refuelling, pax movement or what not, one might argue that it's still running for the purpose of subsequent flight.