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Helicopter Operations

at London Stansted
June 2014
Duncan Smith

Introduction
Helicopter Operations at London Stansted Airport are an almost daily occurrence and their
mode of operation is considerably different from the usual faster commercial jet traffic.
As with Fixed Wing operations, Helicopters conform to many operating restrictions, codes
of best practice and legislation relating to the safe operation of these Rotary Wing Aircraft,
such as the Civil Aviation Act 1982 and the Air Navigation Order 2000. As London Stansted
is surrounded by controlled airspace this can impact on the direction and height that
helicopters fly as they generally fly by Visual Flight Rules (VFR).

Times of Operation
Stansted Airport is a 24hr operation, and as such, Helicopters can operate at any time. As
with any other aircraft, noise restrictions apply and are strictly monitored, especially during
the night quota period. Helicopters are permitted to operate during the night Quota
Period and each movement counts against the airports permitted night movement and
Quota Count Limits. Helicopters QC ratings are identical for arrival and departure due to
their operating characteristics. During the hours of 07:00 -23:00 and in good visibility,
Helicopters will generally arrive and depart from the Helicopter Aiming Point (H), situated
to the north of the Airfield, at the end of Taxilane Foxtrot. This is to provide safe
separation from fixed wing aircraft using the runway. When operations take place at the
H the Airfield Fire Service will be notified by ATC. In periods of low visibility and during
the night period 23:00 to 07:00 the H is closed to all Helicopter traffic with the main
runway being used for Helicopter arrivals and departures.

Helicopter Operations at London Stansted

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Helicopter Departures
As previously stated, Helicopters will depart from the H in good weather between 07:00
and 23:00. At all other times and during poor visibility, they will depart from the runway in
between fixed wing aircraft when a suitable and safe time separation permits. Occasionally,
there may be an operational requirement for a helicopter to depart from the runway
during the day and in good weather, e.g. taxilane Foxtrot blocked by another aircraft or
closed for vehicle training. This however is kept to a minimum. When a helicopter departs
from London Stansted it operates under Visual Flight Rules. This involves lifting from the
H or runway, with clearance not above 1500ft and flying to a particular Visual Reference
Point (VRP) under positive Air Traffic Control. The VRPs and their approximate percentage
of use are detailed on the map overleaf. ATC will inform Stansted FIN, (Final Director),
controller for the airspace immediately surrounding Stansteds Air Traffic Controlled Zone
of the callsign and expected route to the VRP, before departure.

Helicopter Arrivals
ATC will inform the Airfield Fire Service of any helicopter arrivals to the H, to meet their
minimum safety response times, and again, the use of the H will be 07:00-23:00 during
good weather only. Helicopters arriving at Stansted are also directed to one of 2 VRPs on
the Airfield. From the south the VRP is the Diamond Hanger, Hanger 8, and from the north,
Hanger 4. Approach to the H is from the west, passing north of Bury Lodge Hotel and
remaining clear of Burton End. Helicopters arriving from the east should normally pass
over the appropriate runway threshold, not closer than 500ft, before approaching the H
from the west. Helicopters positioning from one of the VRPs to either the H or the
runway are to maintain an altitude of at least 500ft until aligned with the let down point.

Helicopter Operations at London Stansted

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Visual Reporting Points and Use


The image below shows the four VRPs and their approximate usage.
Barkway VOR < 1%

Audley End 1 2 %

Puckeridge 85%

Great Dunmow 13%

Overflights
Helicopters must contact Stansted Air Traffic Control and must comply with ATC
instruction at all times when operating in controlled airspace in the vicinity of London
Stansted. This includes Helicopters wishing to transit Stansteds controlled airspace.
Helicopters position to one of the airfield VRPs, Hanger 4 or 8, and are cleared to cross the
aerodrome only when sufficient spacing from arriving and departing jet traffic can be
maintained.

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500ft and 1000ft Rules


Low flying is clearly the biggest issue with operating helicopters. There are rules and
regulations relating to low flying helicopters which are outlined in the British Helicopter
Association publication Civil Helicopter in the Community1.
The 500ft rule can be summarised as "Unless a helicopter is taking off or landing in
accordance with normal aviation practice, no helicopter may fly closer than 500 feet (152
meters) to any person, vessel, vehicle or structure."
The 1000ft Rule can summarised as follows It forbids helicopters from flying over
congested areas of "towns or settlements" at a height below 1,000 feet (352 meters) above
the highest fixed object
There are exceptions to both these rules. An example of exemptions to the 500ft rule could
be aerial photography -down to 200 feet, aerial application of chemicals for forestry
purposes, powerline inspections, emergency air ambulance operations and police
operations.
When a helicopter is flying in controlled airspace the 1,000 foot rule does not apply. The
pilot is required to obey the instructions of Air Traffic Control (ATC) whose prime concern
is to ensure safe vertical and horizontal separation between the aircraft flying through that
airspace. This is also when flying Special VFR or when operating in accordance with the
procedures notified for the route being flown.
Military helicopters, several hundred of which are based in the United Kingdom, are not
required to comply with the same low flying regulations laid down for civil registered
helicopters. The very nature of their operations may require them to fly at exceptionally
low levels, sometimes a matter of a few feet over the ground or water during the day or
night.
There is only one blanket exemption from the Rules of the Air Regulations made under the
ANO and this concerns flights for the purpose of saving life.
1

http://www.britishhelicopterassociation.org/sites/default/files/guideline/pdf/Civil%20Helicopter%20in%20the
%20Community.pdf

Helicopter Operations at London Stansted

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The area marked in blue on the image below shows the Stansted Air Traffic Controlled
Zone

Numbers of Operations
As mentioned previously, helicopter operations at London Stansted are an almost daily
occurrence. There are some days when no helicopter operations occur and as many as 14
on an exceptionally busy day. These daily movements average out to approximately 6
movements per day during the summer months and 3 -4 during the winter months,
typically between 1 and 2% of all aircraft movements and are derived from the ATC
movement Logs. These figures also only relate to helicopters operating at London Stansted
and do not include any police, emergency, military or transiting helicopters. We are not
able track VFR movements in our Noise and Track Keeping system.

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Emergency Operations and Exemptions


These are generally category A flights responding to an emergency incident, either Police
or Medical, and position to one of the airfield VRPs. They are treated as a priority, and are
expedited through Stansteds controlled airspace.

Other Local Helicopter Operators


Due south of the aerodrome there is a Helipad called Street Farm. It is located mile
south of the A120 junction for Stansted Airport. Operations here are limited to 10 per
week, in daylight hours, VFR and must comply with Air Traffic Control instructions.

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