Silverstone GP Heli Ops
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I know Peter Rover is their Aviation Adviser, and its run by the guy who used to be in charge of Battersea (filofax not nearby at the moment!).
Just about every company gets involved, so look in the BHAB handbook and ask them.
The other events are not nearly as busy or so well organised - they are one of the most professional teams I know.
Phil
Just about every company gets involved, so look in the BHAB handbook and ask them.
The other events are not nearly as busy or so well organised - they are one of the most professional teams I know.
Phil
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<<And one final question whilst I think about it, are any of the other large public spectator events as busy with rotary operations - Cowes, Henley Regatta, Cheltenham Gold Cup etc etc. Ive experienced the GP first hand but not the others.>>
Epsom and Ascot for racing are extremely busy. The ATC at these and other such events used to be run by a guy I worked with at West Drayton but I believe he has retired.
Epsom and Ascot for racing are extremely busy. The ATC at these and other such events used to be run by a guy I worked with at West Drayton but I believe he has retired.
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Most of the rotary operators get involved in Silverstone, but most operate from temporary sites in fields surrounding the Silverstone area. I know only one operates from Kidlington Airport and they are one of the largest operations on the day. A number of operators also do special shuttles from private sites and Battersea for clients who will pay for it! But as PACO says, just call up some operators and ask them, or check out their websites.
Just about every helicopter type gets involved. The larger S61's and Super Puma's from the north sea and Scilly's are hired out by the operators and come down for the weekend and there are also R44's buzzing in, along with everything in between depending on what is available.
I believe that Silverstone set up their own operating team for the weekend, but they are fantastic both in the build up and over the weekend.
The operations to other events, Chelt GC, Ascot etc are nowhere near as big due to less demand, although they do operate. Cheltenham GC is operated by a company called Helicopter & Aviation Services, or something similar, who run an events team.
J
Just about every helicopter type gets involved. The larger S61's and Super Puma's from the north sea and Scilly's are hired out by the operators and come down for the weekend and there are also R44's buzzing in, along with everything in between depending on what is available.
I believe that Silverstone set up their own operating team for the weekend, but they are fantastic both in the build up and over the weekend.
The operations to other events, Chelt GC, Ascot etc are nowhere near as big due to less demand, although they do operate. Cheltenham GC is operated by a company called Helicopter & Aviation Services, or something similar, who run an events team.
J
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Elite helicopters operate at Silverstone and Farnboro Air show
All of the ATCO's at the Farnboro' Pad are NATS employees who do it for no extra cash as a detachment for NATS.
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Are any of the other large public spectator events as busy with rotary operations?
Join Date: Jun 2004
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Thanks for all the repiles and the info.
I did I suppose realise that most heli companies get involved in one way or another at the GP, as a few years ago I was lucky enough to be flown in and experienced it first hand. What I was interested in was who used the larger types S61 and Puma and if these operated from AIrfields or tempoarary sites.
The other info I was after was a contact for those responsible for ATC.
Thanks for your help, I will follow up the info you have already provided.
Cheers
RS2
I did I suppose realise that most heli companies get involved in one way or another at the GP, as a few years ago I was lucky enough to be flown in and experienced it first hand. What I was interested in was who used the larger types S61 and Puma and if these operated from AIrfields or tempoarary sites.
The other info I was after was a contact for those responsible for ATC.
Thanks for your help, I will follow up the info you have already provided.
Cheers
RS2
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silverstone 05
I have clients interested in attending the GP05 i am looking for information on who is operating this year and from which sites. I think its just the southern helipad being operated this year but if anyone as information that can help me it would be appreciated.
Many Thanks
Many Thanks
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Hey Mr Chambers,
you mention that you think that only the southern helipad will be used this year,
what is your source for that information, as this would mean mixing the big stuff with the Jetboxes
regards
CF
you mention that you think that only the southern helipad will be used this year,
what is your source for that information, as this would mean mixing the big stuff with the Jetboxes
regards
CF
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His info on the southern helipad only is correct. There was a meeting in the last couple of weeks between BHAB and Silverstone regarding it.
They sent out some info showing the mixing of types on the southern side over the last three years or so and the mix this year is no different.
Tony, try Geko. They operate Finmere airfield.
Found the letter regarding the drop to one heliport:
In 2004 there were 1431 movements overall of which 810 used the Southern heliport. The Southern traffic mix consisted of 2 Pumas, 5 S76, 1 B222, 2 EC135, 10 A109, 16 AS355, 1 MD600, 6 AS350, 4 Long Rangers, 2 EC120 and 10 Jet Rangers.
Looking back over my reports for the years I find four occasions when the Southern side dealt with more than 1500 movements. There are they together with the actual mix of types.
1997 1616 movements 12 S61, 4 Pumas, 2 B214, 16 S76, 1 Dauphin, 2 B222, 1 A109, 14 AS355, 1 B407, 4 AS350, 1 Long Ranger, 13 Jet Rangers, 1 H500, 1 R22
1998 1652 movements 10 S61, 15 Pumas, 1 B214, 16 S76, 2 Dauphins, 2 B222, 2 A109, 18 AS355, 1 B407, 4 AS350, 16 Jet Rangers, 3 H500, 1 R44
1999 1658 movements 10 S61, 14 Pumas, 1 B214, 22 S76, 2 Dauphins, 2 B222, 3 A109, 17 AS355, 1 B407, 1 B430, 5 AS350, 1 Gazelle, 1 Long Ranger, 8 Jet Rangers, 1 H500
2001 1573 movements 5 S61, 1 Puma, 1 B214, 18 S76, 3 Dauphins, 1 B222, 2 EC135, 4 A109, 27 AS355, 2 Bo105, 2 B407, 9 AS350, 1 Long Ranger, 9 Jet Rangers
A maximum allocated movement rate for the Southern operation has long been and will be retained at 44 movements per 15 minute period (a movement being either a landing or a take-off). Given a five-hour acceptance period (0700 to 1200 BST) pre-race and a similar post-race departure period, a potential acceptance of 1760 movements exists but high demand for slots avoids the earlier and later availabilities.
A carefully reasoned assessment of the current years demand suggests a movement total of between 1400 and 1500.
Put absolutely bluntly, there really is no change to that which has taken place on the Southern heliport for a decade either in terms of numbers or mix of helicopter types. The largest types have dwindled very significantly. This year just two Pumas are expected. Light types, such as the Jet Ranger have proliferated on the Southern side over the years due largely to request by the operators themselves who use feeder sites dominantly situated to the south of Silverstone. The very few lightest types are to be segregated from any heavies by allowing them in during a strictly limited half-hour period between 0715 and 0745 BST. What is more, the very light types and any non-shuttle participants will be parked and handled on the grass strip (Gemini) which is on the northern side of the tarmac FATO albeit they will use Southern procedures like everyone else for their approach and landing.
They sent out some info showing the mixing of types on the southern side over the last three years or so and the mix this year is no different.
Tony, try Geko. They operate Finmere airfield.
Found the letter regarding the drop to one heliport:
In 2004 there were 1431 movements overall of which 810 used the Southern heliport. The Southern traffic mix consisted of 2 Pumas, 5 S76, 1 B222, 2 EC135, 10 A109, 16 AS355, 1 MD600, 6 AS350, 4 Long Rangers, 2 EC120 and 10 Jet Rangers.
Looking back over my reports for the years I find four occasions when the Southern side dealt with more than 1500 movements. There are they together with the actual mix of types.
1997 1616 movements 12 S61, 4 Pumas, 2 B214, 16 S76, 1 Dauphin, 2 B222, 1 A109, 14 AS355, 1 B407, 4 AS350, 1 Long Ranger, 13 Jet Rangers, 1 H500, 1 R22
1998 1652 movements 10 S61, 15 Pumas, 1 B214, 16 S76, 2 Dauphins, 2 B222, 2 A109, 18 AS355, 1 B407, 4 AS350, 16 Jet Rangers, 3 H500, 1 R44
1999 1658 movements 10 S61, 14 Pumas, 1 B214, 22 S76, 2 Dauphins, 2 B222, 3 A109, 17 AS355, 1 B407, 1 B430, 5 AS350, 1 Gazelle, 1 Long Ranger, 8 Jet Rangers, 1 H500
2001 1573 movements 5 S61, 1 Puma, 1 B214, 18 S76, 3 Dauphins, 1 B222, 2 EC135, 4 A109, 27 AS355, 2 Bo105, 2 B407, 9 AS350, 1 Long Ranger, 9 Jet Rangers
A maximum allocated movement rate for the Southern operation has long been and will be retained at 44 movements per 15 minute period (a movement being either a landing or a take-off). Given a five-hour acceptance period (0700 to 1200 BST) pre-race and a similar post-race departure period, a potential acceptance of 1760 movements exists but high demand for slots avoids the earlier and later availabilities.
A carefully reasoned assessment of the current years demand suggests a movement total of between 1400 and 1500.
Put absolutely bluntly, there really is no change to that which has taken place on the Southern heliport for a decade either in terms of numbers or mix of helicopter types. The largest types have dwindled very significantly. This year just two Pumas are expected. Light types, such as the Jet Ranger have proliferated on the Southern side over the years due largely to request by the operators themselves who use feeder sites dominantly situated to the south of Silverstone. The very few lightest types are to be segregated from any heavies by allowing them in during a strictly limited half-hour period between 0715 and 0745 BST. What is more, the very light types and any non-shuttle participants will be parked and handled on the grass strip (Gemini) which is on the northern side of the tarmac FATO albeit they will use Southern procedures like everyone else for their approach and landing.
Last edited by magbreak; 5th Mar 2005 at 14:06.
