Landing over 700m in France
 

Help please.

I am told that the french have introduced a new rule not allowing landings in mountain areas above 700m (or as defined in another text). I have the ‘helisurface permit’ and wondered if anyone knows more.

The translated text is

Article L363-1 Version in force since February 23, 2022
Amended by LAW n°2022-217 of February 21, 2022 - art. 63
I.-In mountain areas, the landing of motorized aircraft for leisure purposes without disembarkation or embarkation of passengers is prohibited, except on an aerodrome within the meaning of Article L. 6300-1 of the Transport Code, as well as on locations authorized by the administrative authority.

The prohibition provided for in the first paragraph of this I is not applicable to aircraft with no one on board.

II.- In mountain areas, the disembarking and embarking of passengers by motorized aircraft for leisure purposes is prohibited, except on an aerodrome within the meaning of Article L. 6300-1 of the Transport Code.


Does anyone else know about this or what on earth this means?

Thanks

Translation is a bit deficient - basically what it means. "leisure" being the sticking point - i.e.work, transport for work or rescue OK.
Heli-skiing has been banned in France for years. Some people make the mistake that they see people going heli-skiing until
they realise that they are actually being dropped off in Italy! You can reverse heli-ski. Go off piste from a field and get picked up below 700m!

It seems an update on the old original Article 76 which was put in place on January 10 1985.

Thanks, before it is was above 1,600m and Heli skiing banned so everyone went to Italy. My point is that 700m is not that high and all the restaurants etc are above this. Just wondered if anyone knew more or why they have done this.

Thanks, I wonder what defines a business purpose?

I think a lot of regulations like that are administered at a local level.

The "mountain law" goes back as far as Decree 61-650 of 23 June 1961 to determine the geographic limits.

It's France after all - look at the circular history of "helipads" in St Tropez over the years. Unless you are French it will take you a lifetime to understand it.

For practice watch a few episodes of "Marseille" on Netflix and treat it as a training course!

By the way, an "helisurface" is not an aerodrome as per official definition. The reason is the country is moving greener, end of story.
There was fun times until the 80's then all was smashed down by political oriented decisions.
No more landings to a few nice places and restaurants, you need to hike there now it's the new game.
I suggest you carefully look to the possible fines which are 150'000€ and one year sentence if you got caught...now you know ;)

Thank you indeed. Even the local guys don’t know how to interpret the laws. I may have to get a solicitor to define for me.

This is my main issue, we had nice restaurants to visit and my house is 1,300m. I can’t find any local discussion forums about this or even what defines an approved local site. Maybe just to make them approved?

So make sure you talk to professionals...Everything is super clear, no off-airport landings in mountainous areas starting from 700m for leisure oriented activities.
We (operators) all received a proper notice from DGAC and we all had our crews informed with these rules.
Official landing sites are the ones officially published on AIP (aerodromes or heliports), so you can forget all those altisurfaces or helisurfaces which are absolutely not official by definition. Now it's just time to make good photo albums of those good old times and think about it differently..

thank you!