Flying Into Major Airports
 

There is a thread running in the Private Flying forum (http://www.pprune.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=63) along these lines...

...but I thought I would ask the rotary folk who has been into which major airports and what the landing fee's and approaches were like!

Anybody been into Birmingham for instance?

EGBB (aka Brum)

Approaches - normally perpendicular to the active runway (15/33). Aim for the numbers of the old runway (ie either 06 or 24). Then you will be cleared to cross (if required) and to land on the H (which is on the corner of the western apron.) Look out for a marshaller who will then park you.

I'm not sure what landing fees are (this is always dealt with by ops) but IIRC, handling by Signature is obligatory so you will probably looking at £150+.



Most other largish international airports have their own specific joining instructions for helis. The sensible ones will treat you like a helicopter and so won't feed you into the fixed wing 'flow'. At night, however, most will treat you the same way (ie get you lined up for the runway.)


HTH

Brum's quite straightforward, as B73 has said. Leeds, too, parking at Multiflight on the western side.

East Midlands will probaby treat you as if you are a fixed wing. Get Donair handling; more straightforward if you can (probably far cheaper than main apron) but don't expect marshalling.

If you're considering Heathrow you'll need a briefing from someone who's done it before and preferably do the flight with an experienced pilot. In addition to the helilanes to contend with in the first place, there are special prodedures based on knowledge of local ground features and it can be a bit hectic with frequency changes and holding, expediting crossings of runways etc (Special, Northolt, Tower #1, Tower #2, Ground, then "Delivery" for start, then vice versa). Signature would handle the arrival. Not as expensive as Battersea Heliport!

Luton - note there are recent changes to VFR reporting points and routings for helis (NOTAM'd).

Stansted - Route via VRPs, arrive at point "F" on the northern edge of the airfield, taxi round (a long way) to Air Harrods for parking /fuel.

Can't give advice on costs as I don't get directly involved.

Hi all,
when flying over the continent, avoid Erfurt (EDDE), Cologne (EDDK) and Paderborn (EDLP) - not to sure about the others.
But these three tend to take charges and waist your time in favour for the normal fixed wingers.
Crossing CTR no problem, but when you get send a Follow Me to the parking position, which is visible an in stone throwing distance from you, it might be according to the rules - but for me it is a rip off.
And when landing at an international airport, don't forget your licence and aircraft documents when going into town - otherwise it could be a hard and long way to get back to your ship ;-)

Greetings Flying Bull

At my airport we have ILS to both runways but for a visual approach, we (ATC) will try to feed you in to a vacant taxiway in order to minimise the distance you have to taxy to the ramp.

Hang on... not shooting approaches to a runway! That seems far to sensible for the UK, you must be based in Surry in the US.

We try to be helicopter friendly, unlike some UK airports who seem to find helicopters a pain in the @ss. Usually the helicopters are picking up or dropping off for a fixed wing flight, so the handling agent does their bit too by parking adjacent.

Paderborn
 

All the times i have gone into paderborn they have been very friendly and helpful, with a minimum of fuss. Highly recommended.

In reference to B73s post on Brum;

The 06/24 numbers are not there any more.

The H is the helicopter reference point and is located on the northern 'point' of the renamed 'Elmdon Apron'.

Helicopter Ops as instructed by ATC.
Simply ask if you can do what you want to do. I think you'll find they are more accustomed to Helicopters than you might think and are a very wilco bunch of chaps and chapesses. Clearly if you pitch up at a busy time what you can do is a bit more restrictive.

If you are coming from Coventry, straight up the 33 or via the A45 and NEC.

As for prices, give Signature a ring 0121 782 1999