Shipboard Helicopters

[SpringHeeledJack]

Whilst watching a documentary about the Pacific Ocean, there was a segment following the Greenpeace vessel in the middle of no-where. There was a ZK-registered helo onboard, (MD-500 ?). It got me thinking about helicopters based on board ships, the VIP steeds on luxury vessels that follow the whims of their billionaire owners to the various utility helos plying their trade in various guises. They have to be registered in one country, but seem able to operate in various territories around the globe. How does that work ? Worldwide AOC, or is the helo beholden to the vessel and legally (jurisdiction) allowed to operate within a certain distance from said vessels position ? Just curious and this seemed like the place to ask.

[rudestuff]

A private aircraft doesn't need an AOC.

[gulliBell]

Ummmm....jet airliners have to be registered in one country, but seem able to operate in various territories around the globe.

[krypton_john]

And plenty of folks operate N-registered helicopters in other countries. Just gotta comply with the rules where it's registered at, right?

[GoodGrief]

And plenty of folks operate N-registered helicopters in other countries. Just gotta comply with the rules where it's registered at, right?

No.You have to comply with the country's rules you're operating in.

[SpringHeeledJack]

Ummmm....jet airliners have to be registered in one country, but seem able to operate in various territories around the globe.

That's true, but they're not 'based' there, they come and go, unless on lease or similar. How do the (wherever) registered helos comply with the regulations/insurance etc when based far from home ? I realise that N-registered small aircraft are legally able to be operated around the globe, many seemingly never having physically been in the USA, but for the majority of the civil registers this seems not to be the case. Helicopters, by nature are distance limited, so it's unusual to see them far from their home, as it were.

[Jhieminga]

Under ICAO agreements (Chicago convention) overflight and landing/departing from airports is freely available to aircraft registered in other ICAO states, although the state in question may publish prohibitions. So it's essentially the same as taking any private aircraft on a flight around the world. Various countries may require prior notification or specific agreements of course. For the specifics, you may want to call these guys: Worldwide Aircraft Support (http://www.starspeed.co.uk/aircraft-management/worldwide)
When operating in skies other than those of your state of registration you will have to comply with local rules (except for those related to maintaining the heli and crew requirements and such as that is connected to the state of registration) and I'm sure insurance policies will insist on this as well.

[ShyTorque]

No.You have to comply with the country's rules you're operating in.

Also the rules where the aircraft is registered, whichever of the two is more restrictive.