Flying over London: Heli-lanes etc
We occasionally get asked this by the bobbies when one lands in Liverpool. Last time I got the following info:
Having had yet another call from one of our control rooms, regarding a helicopter landing in the centre of Liverpool, I spoke to Bob Jones at Flight Ops to get the definitive answer.
A private pilot requires permission to land in a congested area for each occasion.
A commercial company can obtain permission for each occasion or obtain a “block booking” if it’s a regular occurrence.
For both, the landowner’s permission is reqd.
They are required to inform the local Police, not to obtain their permission, but purely in case Mrs Jones calls to say that she thinks a helicopter’s just crashed. The Police have no say as to whether the aircraft can land or not.
Hope that's of help.
Having had yet another call from one of our control rooms, regarding a helicopter landing in the centre of Liverpool, I spoke to Bob Jones at Flight Ops to get the definitive answer.
A private pilot requires permission to land in a congested area for each occasion.
A commercial company can obtain permission for each occasion or obtain a “block booking” if it’s a regular occurrence.
For both, the landowner’s permission is reqd.
They are required to inform the local Police, not to obtain their permission, but purely in case Mrs Jones calls to say that she thinks a helicopter’s just crashed. The Police have no say as to whether the aircraft can land or not.
Hope that's of help.
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Try asking for an annual permission anyway, even if it's for a private flight. Technically the £94 is an admin charge for processing the application and if you ask, you may get. Good to see that Bob's wife is taking an interest in her husband's work Mightygem 
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The interesting thing here is that City is Class D - and therefore only gives Special VFR in IMC. And we don't know if your site is in a "congested area" - some of that part of SE London is definitely non-congested.
And another complication: there's a lot of interest in helicopter activities around Blackheath at present. The area is a World Heritage site and the Blackheath Society have been successfully lobbying to get the unnofficial "Blackheath hold" removed from H4/IoD procedures.
CAA Flight Ops are aware of this.
And another complication: there's a lot of interest in helicopter activities around Blackheath at present. The area is a World Heritage site and the Blackheath Society have been successfully lobbying to get the unnofficial "Blackheath hold" removed from H4/IoD procedures.
CAA Flight Ops are aware of this.
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The area is a World Heritage site and the Blackheath Society have been successfully lobbying to get the unnofficial "Blackheath hold" removed from H4/IoD procedures.
Group A Helis in London?
Would this be for public transport helicopter flights only?? Surely not for private flights??
What about the UK military single engine Squirrels or twins not operating to Group A / Class I / Category A??
What about the UK military single engine Squirrels or twins not operating to Group A / Class I / Category A??
There is no current or projected European regulation that would preclude Performance Class 3 operations to Battersea Heliport.
There is no current or projected European regulation that would preclude Performance Class 2 operations to Battersea Heliport.
Jim
There is no current or projected European regulation that would preclude Performance Class 2 operations to Battersea Heliport.
Jim
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congested area
Headsethair, it doesn't matter whether the site itself is congested or not, it's whether it is situated within a congested area that matters. If you had a park that was empty of people etc but totally surrounded by (for example) buildings within a town or city, then it would still need CAA permission as it would be within a congested area.
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London helicopter flyers note
London helicopter flyers note
On July 13, the Greater London Assembly is starting an enquiry into helicopter noise in London. There will be a public meeting of the Environment Committee at the GLA, City Hall, starting at 1000.
The GLA is green in many ways - ensure our industry and our leisure flyers are well represented.
Should you want more details then email [email protected]
On July 13, the Greater London Assembly is starting an enquiry into helicopter noise in London. There will be a public meeting of the Environment Committee at the GLA, City Hall, starting at 1000.
The GLA is green in many ways - ensure our industry and our leisure flyers are well represented.
Should you want more details then email [email protected]
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Is there a link to more information about what they intend to do - other than the email address?
Londoners tell me any 'Consulation' by the Mayor of London is a sham, but it would be as well to know the nature of his attack.
Londoners tell me any 'Consulation' by the Mayor of London is a sham, but it would be as well to know the nature of his attack.
By Golly it is about time they got down to addressing this menace of noisy helicopters. Why just the other day as I was standing next to the main rail line that runs beside the motorway why one could not hear the articulated lorries and sirens from the emergency vehicles. Actually the saving grace was it the construction site noise blanked out the above ground portion of the Tube. I mean really....trying to sleep in the tourist hotel and being kept awake all night by those noisy helicopters. How's a guy supposed to hear the Monkey Spanking in the room next door or the Football Hooligans partying over a crate or two of beer. Why can they not require them to put silencers on the things anyway....why they must be noisy....all the pilots wear ear muffs when they fly them. Don't you just hate the sputtering sounds from the engines as they fly over. There ought to be a law!
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I managed to find Highlights of the Mayor’s Ambient Noise Strategy from 2004 which stated that:
RC
Helicopter noise can be intrusive and irritating. The Mayor does not have any powers over movements. As long as helicopters obey the Rules of the Air, and follow instructions of air traffic controllers, their movements are not generally further restricted. Much helicopter activity over London is for security and emergency purposes. When used for such purposes, helicopters can fly lower than rules would normally require.
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The GLA is asking for evidence to be put to the meeting on July 13. A fuller pdf version of the Mayor's "take" on aircraft/heli noise is at http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/strat.../004cnoise.pdf
I met Red Ken a few weeks ago and asked if I would have to pay congestion charge on my SAR helicopter which was parked in the middle of London. "No," he said "Unless it becomes popular."
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We get quite a few Helimed/rescue aircraft in the zones.
SRG125 is a regular visitor to London - as is India Juliet from Portland.
Plenty of hospitals/parks to plonk 'em down in the City.
SRG125 is a regular visitor to London - as is India Juliet from Portland.
Plenty of hospitals/parks to plonk 'em down in the City.
There may just have been a rather shiny Sea King parked at Buck Palace back in Feb - plenty of space for parking!
By the way Crab, it wasn't your helicopter!
By the way Crab, it wasn't your helicopter!