Heliport Layout
Approved Pilots/Pilot Performance
Only approved pilots may use London Heliport. All pilots wishing to use the heliport must have conducted a familiarisation flight to the heliport with a previously approved pilot. The heliport procedures must always be complied with and, to be approved, all new pilots must have signed the acknowledgement slip of the current edition of the Conditions of Use which must also have been counter-signed by the approving pilot.
ATC permission
Permission is required for all manoeuvres, engine starts, rotor starts / stops. All inbound and outbound ground taxiing and hovering is carried out with marshalled assistance. Pilots are to ensure that they are familiar with standard marshalling signals (refer to the CAP 693 ANO Section 2: Rules of the Air Regulations, Rule 47 and also CAP 637 Visual Aids Handbook for illustrations).
Embarkation/Disembarkation of Passengers
This is only to be carried out with the assistance of the heliport ground crew. Aircrew are to ensure that heliport handlers are present before proceeding airside with passengers and also to brief passengers on arrival to remain inside the aircraft until handlers are present to assist with escorted disembarkation.
Aircraft without rotor-brakes (unserviceable rotor-brakes)
Owners/operators using helicopters not equipped with a rotor-brake (or unserviceable rotor-brake) must advise operations at the time of booking. Due to time constraints during busy periods, start-ups and shut-downs for such aircraft may be delayed due to blade-sail hazard from the down-draft of other aircraft. Aircrew on such aircraft should not disembark and leave it unattended until the rotors cease turning.
Overdue Action
All operators/pilots are requested to keep the heliport informed of early or late arrivals. Overdue action may be instigated 15 minutes after ETA. If aircraft are overdue by more than 45 minutes, search and rescue action may have been started. Any subsequent charges incurred will be passed on directly to the owner / operator.
Mobile Telephones
For safety reasons, mobile telephones are not to be used and should remain switched off at all times when airside. Air crew are asked to brief passengers on arrival at the heliport before disembarkation.
Refuelling.
All passengers in transit must disembark from aircraft during re-fuelling operations
Dangerous Goods
Operators/pilots must advise Heliport Operations in advance of any dangerous goods (e.g. ammunition) to be carried on flights. Please refer to CAA publication CAP 688 for details
Flight Procedures
Special helicopter procedures within the London CTR - refer to the UK AIP AD 2.22 (EGLL) for details.
Radio Contact
Inbound helicopters must establish radio contact with the heliport ATC before entering the ATZ. They should advise POB and any fuel requirements on initial contact.
Circuit height
Circuit height is 1000ft a.m.s.l.
The traffic pattern is non-standard and generally over the river.
All turns should be made, as far as is practical, over the river above 500ft.
- Normal circuit pattern - between Battersea (road) Bridge and Wandsworth (road) Bridge.
- Extended circuit pattern - between Chelsea (road) Bridge and Putney (railway) bridge (not to be used without permission from ATC – due to co-ordination with SVFR/Thames Radar).
Take Off, Climb and Approach Profile - is offset by 15 degrees away from shoreline.
Arrivals and departures
All arrivals and departures must be via the flight platform. Aircraft must not over fly any shipping that is within 100m of the platform.
Non-standard take-off requests
Non-standard take-off requests including Group A/Helipad/Class 1 or Running shall be made to ATC on start up. Permission may be subject to other heliport or ATC operational requirements.
Radio Failure
Inbound helicopters with a radio failure should hold on the North side of the river and await visual light signals from the ATC tower.
Landing Clearances
If a landing clearance is not received by the final 200m of landing, a go-around must be carried out. The go-around procedure is:
03 TURN LEFT – 21 TURN RIGHT…
…and then fly over the north bank of the river, climb to 500ft, join the circuit until further instructions are issued by ATC.
Flight Plans
Should be faxed to the heliport (ATC Fax: 020 7924 1022) with a minimum of 1 hours notice, prior to arrival at the heliport.
Start-up/Shut-down & Manoeuvres
ATC permission is required for engine (and rotor) start-up/shut-downs and all manoeuvres, including hover and taxi (which should be at a brisk walking pace).
Noise Abatement Procedures
The heliport operates a “Fly Neighbourly” policy as follows:
- Always fly as high as possible subject to any ATC clearances and or the cloud-base.
- Maintain circuit height until finals. After departure, climb to circuit height as soon as possible.
- All approaches and departures are to be over the river.
- No manoeuvres other than actual approaches are permitted below 500ft.
- Ground running of rotors/engines is limited to a maximum of 5 minutes.
FATO Wind turbulence/variance
The erection of a new building to the north east of the heliport has given rise to the possibility of some turbulence during periods of south-easterly to north-easterly winds. Under these conditions there may be significant variance of wind direction across the FATO away from true.
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TLH Charges & Fees