Helicoptor landing in airfield car park.

[Mitzi.]

I was doing my 'usual' taking disabled adults on a day out, to a S.E. airfield, when to my surprise a small helicoptor landed bout 50 metres away, in the grass car park. Seemed strange to me as what seemed a perfectably serviciable airfield lied beyond the boundary fence. Helicoptor let some passengers out then after a few mins took of again. My question is... landing regulations for helicoptors....If it looks safe to the pilot ???

I add at no time did it look to me(on this occasion) that safety was comprimised, although visiting this airfield frequently it seems that kids, dogs, etc run pretty freely, in the car park.

Mitzi.

[niknak]

If the pilot had the landowners permission to land there, and the landing site has been deemed suitable by the pilot to land on, there's no problem.
As to why the pilot didn't land at the airfield, it could be that there were restrictions in place, (operational limitations regarding parking space / a special event that would have been disrupted by the helicopter landing on the airfield, etc.), or simply that it was cheaper to land on the car park than at the airfield!:)

[Agaricus bisporus]

If he landed in a car park that was being used as such (and not in a fenced-off end of it) then he is very likely in serious breach of the regulations, as an in-use car park is clearly a "congested area" for the purposes of the Air Navigation Order. If he did so and there was an airfield nearby then he is doubly foolish though without more detail it is hard to be certain.

Either way it sounds daft not to have used the airfield.

[DROGNA]

A similar thing happens at Shoreham. Just accross the A27 The Sussex Pad Hotel has it's own helipad, and about 200 yards away is the airport itself. Often seen helicopters land there and then nip accross the road for a drop of fuel before the return sector!

[papaindia55 flaps]

Agaricus Nobus, or whatever your name is. Wind your neck in unless you know what your talking about. "Serious Breach.....Congested area" my ar#e!

[Captain Stable]

papaindia

Please modify your tone and apply professional standards to your replies here. Agaricus stated an opinion. You are perfectly entitled to disagree with it, but please do so civilly.

[Basil]

In the UK, car insurance is usually invalid whilst the vehicle is in an area NORMALLY used for aircraft operations.
Could anyone familiar with helicopter insurance comment on the position described in this thread from the helicopter operator's position?

[Mitzi.]

Thank you for the replies.
Again re-iterate 'at this time' I saw nothing personally which endangered my safety. Infact kinda made my day, bit unusual and all that. As my profile suggests, nil knowledge on rules, regs, etc on flying. Just as an amatuer enthusiast, curious to know the ins and outs of 'whats ok and whats debatable'. Re the landing charges...with my ltd knowledge of flying, could be another thread here. How to avoid landing charges!!!

The airfield was pretty busy... The car park is well defined as a car park. From again my ltd knowledge, the airfield, may or may not be important. licencing ????.

But as i interpret it... passenger got out, with blades still turning, after a smooth landing. they where met by a companion. Chap took of hovered above car park for a while, then 'crossed' over 'airside' (the wire fence) and then away.

Spoke to my 'old man' a chap once, as he recalls landed on a pier, caused a bit of a flap some 2 years ago ??? no idea what the outcome was..

[Bronx]

That case was mentioned on th Rotorheads forum at the time.

The wonderful British CAA decided, true to form, to prosecute the pilot for endangering life. :rolleyes:
The jury laughed it out of court. :D

[canberra]

raf sar helicopters reguarly land at the west end car par in ft william to pick up mountain rescue teams. occasionally they'll stay the night there as well.

[spekesoftly]

SAR/Police/Medivac helicopter pilots have some dispensation from certain parts of the UK ANO. Necessary to enable them to carry out their vital and often difficult tasks.

RAF/Navy/Army aviators are governed by their own military regulations. Also appropriate to their specialised role.