Police Helicopters
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 9
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From: UK
Police Helicopters
Are Police Helicopters allowed to fly at or below 500'AGL over built up areas on a gin clear day? Even with two engines. I am a retired Army pilot who has some experience of IS duties and am at a loss to understand how much more this cowboy can see from this low and noisy level 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 153
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From: England
One of our based operators also operates the local police helicopter.They rarely seem to go below 1000ft over built up areas, and given the level of technology on the helicopters these days, it is rarely necessary. However, I wouldn't be suprised if they have an exemption to do so if it's operationaly required.
I hope that your reference to cowboys doesn't mean the crews who do this work. Not only are they very good pilots, they're also very dedicated, and very highly trained, having to maintain these high standards to keep their jobs.
I hope that your reference to cowboys doesn't mean the crews who do this work. Not only are they very good pilots, they're also very dedicated, and very highly trained, having to maintain these high standards to keep their jobs.
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 496
Likes: 4
From: Norfolk
Yes, we are allowed to fly below 500ft; specifically we are allowed to operate not below 300ft agl in the event of a power failure over a congested area by day, which I assume are the conditions you mean; by night it's not below 500ft above obstacles.
No, there aren't many occasions when one needs to be so low but every now and then it's necessary. It's not done for fun.
Jetdriver - perhaps this thread should be moved to rotorheads where pegasus's last comment might attract some discussion?
No, there aren't many occasions when one needs to be so low but every now and then it's necessary. It's not done for fun.
Jetdriver - perhaps this thread should be moved to rotorheads where pegasus's last comment might attract some discussion?
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 11
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From: UK but moving South soon.
Peg..2
If the aircraft seems unaturally low then place a complaint into the CAA. These people (if a cowboy) give the wrong impression to our customers and should be rooted out!
Been there and done it but with a justifiable reason!
If the aircraft seems unaturally low then place a complaint into the CAA. These people (if a cowboy) give the wrong impression to our customers and should be rooted out!
Been there and done it but with a justifiable reason!
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 5,197
Likes: 1
From: UK
Well said Billy.
Encouraging people to report a fellow pilot (police pilot or not) to the CAA?
Tricky dilemna if it's a police heli because some police pilots seem to go 'native' and have said on Rotorheads they would assist their police colleagues get another pilot into trouble. But I like to think most wouldn't and it would be a shame to report one of those.
Encouraging people to report a fellow pilot (police pilot or not) to the CAA?
Tricky dilemna if it's a police heli because some police pilots seem to go 'native' and have said on Rotorheads they would assist their police colleagues get another pilot into trouble. But I like to think most wouldn't and it would be a shame to report one of those.
Senis Semper Fidelis
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,288
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From: Lancashire U K
This has all been talked about earlier this year, the Police are doing a public service job, as long as they don't put us members of the public at risk of life or limb, they should be allowed to fly any way to suit the task they are on, you really only need to worry if you are on the wrong side! Don't you?
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 9
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From: UK
Happy days Mighty Gem, except for staying away a tad too long in the T21 and finding that someone had started to turn the sun down to Gas mark two. Having my Ferret, browning and 400 rds nicked is also burned deep into my memories of learning to fly in Cyprus.
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,931
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From: Warrington, UK
Was back there a couple of years ago, first time since '83. Called in at Kingsfield, club's still there, still struggling to exist. Had a couple of trips in the 13 with Avo. Just like I'd never been away.
