Flying over London: Heli-lanes etc
Join Date: Dec 2005
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I have to hold my hands up and say i arranged for the Mill Dome helipad to be where it was, the issue was raised then for a more permanant site to follow, and it caused an absolute outcry with ye ole locals living on south bank, the only suitable ones we found (if it were to be on the thames, which is what we wanted) meant it was on the climbout/approach to LCA, and that wasnt good
Join Date: Jan 2001
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It is still pretty much the same, although there have been some changes. From memory:
A route which used to pass along the M4 east of Heathrow has gone, to avoid mutiple TCAS warnings on the big birds into LHR.
There have been one or two changes in names of reporting points, and one or two added.
The standard altitudes of parts of one or two routes have changed.
Recently a number of restricted areas have been added to "protect important parts of London from terrorist activity". In fact, they do not affect you if you stay on the routes, but you would be well advised to know where they are.
The frequenices to call for clearance will also have changed
All the information is on the new heliroute chart, plus the AIP. A more digestable summary of the AIP is in Pooleys.
Hope this helps
A route which used to pass along the M4 east of Heathrow has gone, to avoid mutiple TCAS warnings on the big birds into LHR.
There have been one or two changes in names of reporting points, and one or two added.
The standard altitudes of parts of one or two routes have changed.
Recently a number of restricted areas have been added to "protect important parts of London from terrorist activity". In fact, they do not affect you if you stay on the routes, but you would be well advised to know where they are.
The frequenices to call for clearance will also have changed
All the information is on the new heliroute chart, plus the AIP. A more digestable summary of the AIP is in Pooleys.
Hope this helps
Join Date: Apr 2002
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'just another atco'
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: LTC Swanwick
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Navigating the London Heliroutes
What are the 'gotyas' on the London Heliroutes?
What are the tricky bits to navigate?
Where is a new boy going to get lost?
How do you navigate them? Heliroute map and eyeball or do you use an electronic aid? GPS, moving map, heliroute overlay?
All thoughts gratefully received.
What are the tricky bits to navigate?
Where is a new boy going to get lost?
How do you navigate them? Heliroute map and eyeball or do you use an electronic aid? GPS, moving map, heliroute overlay?
All thoughts gratefully received.
Join Date: May 2006
Location: uk
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Your best bet is GPS and the heliroute maps and mark off as you go along, have a pasenger that can read maps.
The most likely issue is that your nicely planned route can't be flown due to other traffic or changes in runways and then you'll suddenly have to do a lot of thinking on the hoof so make sure when you plan your route you consider the other ways you may be taken.
Ideally try and take somebody who has done it before, or even better, be a passenger with them whilst they fly it so you have more time to think about where you are any what's happening prior to doing it yourself.
The most likely issue is that your nicely planned route can't be flown due to other traffic or changes in runways and then you'll suddenly have to do a lot of thinking on the hoof so make sure when you plan your route you consider the other ways you may be taken.
Ideally try and take somebody who has done it before, or even better, be a passenger with them whilst they fly it so you have more time to think about where you are any what's happening prior to doing it yourself.
Join Date: Nov 2004
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Search revealed this:-
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...don+Heliroutes
Might find some info there
Bigwings
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...don+Heliroutes
Might find some info there
Bigwings
Join Date: Aug 2007
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Know your max altitudes for the sectors and familiarise yourself with landmarks for altitude changes & turning points.
If you are using GPS, make sure your chart is efficiently folded incase your GPS fails. If flying single pilot make sure you have the reporting points, altitudes on a kneeboard. Also, I found is useful when first flying the heliroutes to make an A4 size copy of the route I was taking. Trying to work your way through the chart single pilot is a pain.
As with most things in heli flying, plan it as best as you can and it should be enjoyable. I started with the route H9, H10, H4 Northwood to Isle of Dogs. There are good landmarks for turning points so make nav a bit easier and you can get used to the radio calls, and possibly holding over the river. If you start to go too far off course - ATC will not hesitate to tell you !!
good luck & have fun.
If you are using GPS, make sure your chart is efficiently folded incase your GPS fails. If flying single pilot make sure you have the reporting points, altitudes on a kneeboard. Also, I found is useful when first flying the heliroutes to make an A4 size copy of the route I was taking. Trying to work your way through the chart single pilot is a pain.
As with most things in heli flying, plan it as best as you can and it should be enjoyable. I started with the route H9, H10, H4 Northwood to Isle of Dogs. There are good landmarks for turning points so make nav a bit easier and you can get used to the radio calls, and possibly holding over the river. If you start to go too far off course - ATC will not hesitate to tell you !!
good luck & have fun.
Join Date: May 2007
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When you have planned the route then keep poring over the map and try to memorise main and easily recognised features in relationship to the route. Even go to the extent of putting a line on the map and measuring off distance and time to specific points. Overkill? Perhaps but the exercise will ensure that you have done as much as you can and the knowledge you gain will give you some more confidence.
Tip: Your route and altitude are monitored very closely and if you are even a tad off the clearance/route then you will be noted to be so. Fly as accurately as you can and show the controllers that you are able to do so. Believe me they assess your level of competence based upon what they determine and that will in turn help to determine how they process you.
Rule 1: if you are uncertain at any time, then slow down and think carefully without panic.
Rule 2: if you cannot resolve a nav problem then do not just bumble on, say so take the ignominy on the chin and ask for assistance. That's what ATC are there for, to offer a service to you.
I'd use the GPS as a linus blanket were I you, map read the whole route after extensive planning. That way you will get most benefit out of the trip and feel considerably better for it when you get it right.............and without using the GPS as well.............
Tip: Your route and altitude are monitored very closely and if you are even a tad off the clearance/route then you will be noted to be so. Fly as accurately as you can and show the controllers that you are able to do so. Believe me they assess your level of competence based upon what they determine and that will in turn help to determine how they process you.
Rule 1: if you are uncertain at any time, then slow down and think carefully without panic.
Rule 2: if you cannot resolve a nav problem then do not just bumble on, say so take the ignominy on the chin and ask for assistance. That's what ATC are there for, to offer a service to you.
I'd use the GPS as a linus blanket were I you, map read the whole route after extensive planning. That way you will get most benefit out of the trip and feel considerably better for it when you get it right.............and without using the GPS as well.............
Always happy to hold someone's map and talk to Thames / Heathrow for them! Ironically, the lanes are often easier at night - you just follow the blacked out bits! Watch out for LHR changing runways, this can lead to some routes being closed, and be aware that the Radar at LHR is very, very good...I had a very peeved navigator once after LHR told him he was 200 yds off the route...
Enjoy the view, stay alert and watch out for R22s coming the other way.
Enjoy the view, stay alert and watch out for R22s coming the other way.
Join Date: Nov 2005
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Best advice to a newcomer is to avoid the London Zone unless accompanied by someone who is thoroughly familiar. The future of helicopter traffic within the London Zone hangs by a thread thanks to pressure groups and politicians seeking favour with voters. There are already more than enough excursions and transgressions by the military to keep those dwelling under the favourite routes up in arms without another lost R22 stumbling about in the airspace.
A frequentv plea to Wing Cdr(Ops) at Odiham and Benson is to ensure Puma, Chinook and Merlin crews are familiar with the standard altitudes of all the routes. A Chinook at 500 feet over Barnes/Putney sets back the `fly neighbourly` campaign immeasurably.
A frequentv plea to Wing Cdr(Ops) at Odiham and Benson is to ensure Puma, Chinook and Merlin crews are familiar with the standard altitudes of all the routes. A Chinook at 500 feet over Barnes/Putney sets back the `fly neighbourly` campaign immeasurably.
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"setting Back the Campaign!"
Last week we had a Chinook (sounded like, but it was late and dark), low level over Putney which actually made the windows shudder (not simply rattle) - just what 'Angry of Putney' needs in the way of ammunition - children awakened, dogs barking, prize chickens laying eggs (ok so maybe that's over egging it (!) but I many moons ago I lived near the ranges on Salisbury Plane and the local smallholders used to complain of exactly that during low level ops (usually blaming the poor folks at ETPS)) etc etc etc. Generally though, over 8 years of living under the route, the baby helos are pretty well behaved and their buzz is less intrusive than the shock wave from the heavy blades (at (cough) 500ft...??!!).
Last week we had a Chinook (sounded like, but it was late and dark), low level over Putney which actually made the windows shudder (not simply rattle) - just what 'Angry of Putney' needs in the way of ammunition - children awakened, dogs barking, prize chickens laying eggs (ok so maybe that's over egging it (!) but I many moons ago I lived near the ranges on Salisbury Plane and the local smallholders used to complain of exactly that during low level ops (usually blaming the poor folks at ETPS)) etc etc etc. Generally though, over 8 years of living under the route, the baby helos are pretty well behaved and their buzz is less intrusive than the shock wave from the heavy blades (at (cough) 500ft...??!!).
Join Date: Jul 2003
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And another thing...
a newbie can try is Google Earth.
I flew a couple of heli-lanes transits with an experienced instructor helping out when things got hectic (which they did on both occasions!) and just offering advice like "turn here" or "don't turn there". Crossing LHR has to be one of the most amazing heli experiences. Some of my most memorable flying to date, but IMHO PPLs should remember it's really CPL/ATPL-territory and so our flying has to be at a professional standard.
Getting back to Google Earth - fantastic tool, get down low, adjust the angle of view and fly along the Thames for free! Very good for pre-flight and for a post-flight review to try and remember what happened.
Rgrds
JFDI
I flew a couple of heli-lanes transits with an experienced instructor helping out when things got hectic (which they did on both occasions!) and just offering advice like "turn here" or "don't turn there". Crossing LHR has to be one of the most amazing heli experiences. Some of my most memorable flying to date, but IMHO PPLs should remember it's really CPL/ATPL-territory and so our flying has to be at a professional standard.
Getting back to Google Earth - fantastic tool, get down low, adjust the angle of view and fly along the Thames for free! Very good for pre-flight and for a post-flight review to try and remember what happened.
Rgrds
JFDI