Restricted areas for flying over London
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2013
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From: Los Angeles, CA
Restricted areas for flying over London
I have recently bumped onto a comment by a guy who had to fly over London for assignment and he said the strictness of the rules surprised him a bit.
So I decided to see how does a restricted zone look like and what are the restrictions. It's quite logical that the air space is heavily regulated, but I also know that there are TV crews, helicopter tours and aerial photographers flying around every day – I think that last year London had over 16,000 helicopter flights. I found this document:
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/7/EIS%2006.pdf
Can someone explain the map – is everything in the delimited pink area a restricted zone? What are then these subzones, zones within zones and that one zone that goes further bit to the east over Thames? What do the triangles, circles and dots represent?
So I decided to see how does a restricted zone look like and what are the restrictions. It's quite logical that the air space is heavily regulated, but I also know that there are TV crews, helicopter tours and aerial photographers flying around every day – I think that last year London had over 16,000 helicopter flights. I found this document:
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/7/EIS%2006.pdf
Can someone explain the map – is everything in the delimited pink area a restricted zone? What are then these subzones, zones within zones and that one zone that goes further bit to the east over Thames? What do the triangles, circles and dots represent?
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Milano, Italia
Its been many years since I flew the 'H routes' but .. my godfather was one of those involved in deciding the original helicopter routes over London, the venerable Martyn Fiddler has some stories to tell about it .. although I don't quite know what! Doubtless the Colonel was up to something .. probably involving humour!
The circles are airfields, the triangles indicate the helicopter routes and the 'dots' .. I'm struggling to remember. Dots used to be an indication of fuel storage tanks (though they were black on VFR route charts .. this was early 80's) but these are clearly something else.
I'm sure someone will pipe-up with the correct information.
The circles are airfields, the triangles indicate the helicopter routes and the 'dots' .. I'm struggling to remember. Dots used to be an indication of fuel storage tanks (though they were black on VFR route charts .. this was early 80's) but these are clearly something else.
I'm sure someone will pipe-up with the correct information.
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Zummerset
Don't go flying on that map; it's quite out of date - it doesn't have the Emirates air line on at Greenwich for a start. The routes are designed for, and mandated for, single engine types. The triangles are reporting points which you may receive partial clearances to or be asked to hold at. The bulk of the hashed area used to be known as the 'specified area'. Singles were verboten but twins could ask for direct transits; much to the chagrin of a trapper, once on a check ride we entered the lanes at the top of the Lea valley only to be cleared direct to Barnes for a H3 exit...straight over the City...
In many respects they are easier at night. Savoia's Godfather did a good job in laying down routes over parks/rivers/rails so if you just 'follow the dark area' you're seldom far off the right track. Just be wary that the LHR controllers can get very sensitive depending on which rwy is in use and how busy they are.
The extension of the LHR zone to the east is to cover London City airport. I think the 'dots' you refer to are stations.
In many respects they are easier at night. Savoia's Godfather did a good job in laying down routes over parks/rivers/rails so if you just 'follow the dark area' you're seldom far off the right track. Just be wary that the LHR controllers can get very sensitive depending on which rwy is in use and how busy they are.
The extension of the LHR zone to the east is to cover London City airport. I think the 'dots' you refer to are stations.
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From: On the Rump of Pendle Hill Lancashi
About 12 years ago I accompanied a CPL in a Jet R down to south of heathrow, he explained the London heliroutes and said I would be flying them but under strict control, we flew down H9 to be held short at Heathrow, then allowed to proceed to the very centre of the complex and hold above the centre green , we then watched three inbound and four leaving then as the last one of the four left the ground we were intructed to transit and get out of the H9 Heathrow area, it was a real impressive and smooth operation in controling us at the same time as A/C were arriving and departing, I know its all changed now but do they still allow centre holds between the runways, or is Heathrow totally restricted.?
Peter R-B
Lancashire
Peter R-B
Lancashire
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: HLS map - http://goo.gl/maps/3ymt
I know its all changed now but do they still allow centre holds between the runways, or is Heathrow totally restricted.?
http://www.ead.eurocontrol.int/eadba...2011-12-15.pdf
addition - you are unlikely to get a crossing if TEAM operations are underway during busy periods (landings being made to both runways simultaneously)
Last edited by Aucky; 7th October 2013 at 10:40.
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: England & Scotland
Last week I flew a single through London using Banstead, H7, Barnes, H4, Isle of Dogs and depart South along the edge of R158. Saturday morning, to avoid inconvenience to those attending the Globe Theatre.
This is all Radar Control.
Initial clearance to London Bridge, and a short hold (dumbbell-pattern over the river centre) to deconflict with 'big tin' coming in to City Airport.
The map you link to does not have the maximum altitudes marked. Along H7 you are quickly restricted to below 1,000 ft amsl. Along H4, after Battersea Heliport, that ceiling starts to rise and you have to be above 1400ft amsl to avoid R157 (Central London) and R159 (Canary Warf), though you can be sometimes given 1400ft to maximise deconflict with City Airport.
It is a great trip with fantastic views.
Photos from a previous trip here London heli route December 2010 before the snow...
This is all Radar Control.
Initial clearance to London Bridge, and a short hold (dumbbell-pattern over the river centre) to deconflict with 'big tin' coming in to City Airport.
The map you link to does not have the maximum altitudes marked. Along H7 you are quickly restricted to below 1,000 ft amsl. Along H4, after Battersea Heliport, that ceiling starts to rise and you have to be above 1400ft amsl to avoid R157 (Central London) and R159 (Canary Warf), though you can be sometimes given 1400ft to maximise deconflict with City Airport.
It is a great trip with fantastic views.
Photos from a previous trip here London heli route December 2010 before the snow...
Last edited by John R81; 7th October 2013 at 12:40.
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: UK
Atinas - your "pink bits". The big one is EGR 160 inside which any helicopter having an engine failure must be able to either glide clear or be able to ditch in the river. There is no law saying that you HAVE to ditch in the river.
The smaller ones were put in post-9/11 and have a ceiling of 1400ft. They "protect" Westminster, Buckingham Palace, The City and the Canary Wharf business district.
Whilst on the routes you are exempted from the 1000ft rule, but 500ft still applies. (Which has caught out a few near the Eye.) And The Shard now produces a "shadow" that still has an effect on the north bank - Shard is 1250ft so the theory is that off-route within 600m of it, you need to be at 2250ft. You won't always be offered such a clearance by City ATC.......
The smaller ones were put in post-9/11 and have a ceiling of 1400ft. They "protect" Westminster, Buckingham Palace, The City and the Canary Wharf business district.
Whilst on the routes you are exempted from the 1000ft rule, but 500ft still applies. (Which has caught out a few near the Eye.) And The Shard now produces a "shadow" that still has an effect on the north bank - Shard is 1250ft so the theory is that off-route within 600m of it, you need to be at 2250ft. You won't always be offered such a clearance by City ATC.......
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: London
For pilots looking to navigate the heliroutes, Helipaddy has produced these ebooks at helipaddy.com/london-heliroutes/ updated with the 2023 VRPs.
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I've just seen a single engine heli traverse the Specified Area (R160) south to north at approx 1,200 feet
How is this possible? Have the rules for R160 changed?
How is this possible? Have the rules for R160 changed?
Last edited by PPRuNeUser469990; 16th August 2025 at 10:54.
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 93
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From: the right seat
Seen or "seen"? I've seen ADSB put HEMS at 12000' before. It has its glitches. Battersea is mainly twins too. Have you checked the reg? Looks like ADSBExchange from the screen grab?
Joined: Sep 2015
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
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From: London
Interesting. Definitely still twins only off published Heli lanes. I was once offered a right turn Direct to Biggin when flying East along H4 at the London Eye (at night), I politely declined. Assumed the controller thought I was in a twin.
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From: Hobe Sound, Florida
1972. Sikorsky S67 Gunship tour of the UK, Germany, Iran and Greece. Started at Middle Wallop and next stop was some small heliport in the middle of London to provide demo rides to senior RAF staff. Weather was a problem with a solid overcast at 1000ft and we really needed more than that for the demo rides, as everyone was supposed to get to do a roll and split-S besides a dive to 200 KIAS.
But-no problem: the RAF officer in charge listened to what we needed made a phone call, came back gave me a frequency to call, told me that ATC was waiting for us, take-off on a given heading and they would take it from there. So, thats what we did. Overcast wsn’t that thick-we were clear above about 3K and everyone on the schedule got the standard demo then we called radar and they gave us a sort of surveillance approach back to this very small heliport. Only in the UK!!
There was one pilot I recall.One of the RAF officers would slap a piece of paper on my canopy saying who was flying in the front seat. This pilot was a famed Battle of Britain pilot. He could hardly make it to the ship-had a cane-walked very unsteady etc, but finally with a bunch of assistance got settled in the front seat. We got above the overcast and I did my short demo and handed the 67 to him. In 30 seconds it became evident why you all won the air war-this guy could fly. So after the demo was done and we were set to return to the heliport-we got under the overcast and he asked if i could set the VHF to a given frequency. ( He was still flying ) I did that and he told me he’d like to visit a friend of his at a local RAF site. Told him sure-have at it so off we go at 500 ft and within a few minutes ( we’re now down to 200 ft or so ) a runway is at 12 o’clock. Less than 1/2 mile and we proceeded down the runway at 50 ft 170 KIAS ( No advance call to the Tower )and he calls the tower and announces that the Tower should call XXX the base Commander and tell him that xxxx had visited. Wish I could recall the name of that RAF Battle of Britain hero.
But-no problem: the RAF officer in charge listened to what we needed made a phone call, came back gave me a frequency to call, told me that ATC was waiting for us, take-off on a given heading and they would take it from there. So, thats what we did. Overcast wsn’t that thick-we were clear above about 3K and everyone on the schedule got the standard demo then we called radar and they gave us a sort of surveillance approach back to this very small heliport. Only in the UK!!
There was one pilot I recall.One of the RAF officers would slap a piece of paper on my canopy saying who was flying in the front seat. This pilot was a famed Battle of Britain pilot. He could hardly make it to the ship-had a cane-walked very unsteady etc, but finally with a bunch of assistance got settled in the front seat. We got above the overcast and I did my short demo and handed the 67 to him. In 30 seconds it became evident why you all won the air war-this guy could fly. So after the demo was done and we were set to return to the heliport-we got under the overcast and he asked if i could set the VHF to a given frequency. ( He was still flying ) I did that and he told me he’d like to visit a friend of his at a local RAF site. Told him sure-have at it so off we go at 500 ft and within a few minutes ( we’re now down to 200 ft or so ) a runway is at 12 o’clock. Less than 1/2 mile and we proceeded down the runway at 50 ft 170 KIAS ( No advance call to the Tower )and he calls the tower and announces that the Tower should call XXX the base Commander and tell him that xxxx had visited. Wish I could recall the name of that RAF Battle of Britain hero.
