Helicopter Performance Characteristics
From the Notes:
Generally, helicopters will not fly above _____ feet AGL, and will usually fly ________.
From the Notes:
Generally, helicopters will not fly above 5000 feet AGL, and will usually fly much lower.
If clearing an aircraft/helicopter to a point other than the circuit, a new clearance must be received ______________.
If clearing an aircraft/helicopter to a point other than the circuit, a new clearance must be received prior to the pilot reaching that point.
Complete the MATS reference:
While a single-piloted helicopter is...
While a single-piloted helicopter is air taxiing, hovering, or flying at low level, do not request a frequency change.
Movement Area
The part of an aerodrome that is intended to be used for the surface movement of aircraft and that includes the manoeuvring area and aprons.
Define Autorotation.
The condition of flight during which the main rotor is driven only by aerodynamic forces with no power from the engine.
From the Notes:
Initial contact for arrival helicopters is very similar to fixed-wing aircraft. The airport controller can clear a helicopter to:
- A point in the Control Zone or TRA
- A point on airport
- A point in the circuit
Complete the MATS reference:
A helicopter may be permitted to land on the threshold of a runway...
A helicopter may be permitted to land on the threshold of a runway while an aircraft is taxiing on the opposite end of the runway, provided traffic is exchanged and appropriate restrictions are applied.
Manoeuvring Area
The part of an aerodrome, other than an apron, that is intended to be used for the takeoff and landing of aircraft and for the movement of aircraft associated with takeoff and landing.
From the Notes:
Name 4 of the 7 differences between helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.
- Speed
- Smaller/tighter circuit pattern
- Takeoff procedures
- Landing procedures
- Wake turbulence
- Hovering capability
- Autorotation
From the Notes:
Name the 3 parts of initial contact for helicopter departures.
1) Ground provides helicopter with: "(aircraft id) (runway id) (wind information) (altimeter information)."
2) Ground coordinates with the airport controller.
3) Ground transfers helicopter to airport controller "CONTACT TOWER ONE-ONE-EIGHT-DECIMAL-TWO (NOW / WHEN READY)."
From the Notes:
If a helicopters clearance limit was a point on the airport or in the control zone/TRA, including its landing area, the controller has the following options:
- Let it continue to its clearance limit
- Change its clearance limit to a point in the circuit and sequence it
- Change its clearance limit to another point on the airport
Runway Codes:
60 -
66 -
60 - area other than a published runway within the airport boundary.
66 - area within the control zone or TRA but outside the airport boundary.
CARs 602.16 - Flights over Open-Air Assemblies of Persons or Built-Up Areas - Helicopters with External Loads - Complete the reference:
(1) No person shall operate a helicopter that is...
(2) Except where authorized under...
(1) No person shall operate a helicopter that is carrying a Class B, C, or D external load over an open air assembly of persons.
(2) Except where authorized under CARs 603.66 or 702.22, no person shall operate a helicopter that is carrying a Class B, C, or D external load over a built-up area.
From the Notes:
If a helicopter's clearance limit was a point in the circuit, the controller has the following options:
- Let it continue to the circuit and sequence it
- Change its clearance limit within the circuit and sequence it.
- Change its clearance limit to a point on the airport
- Change its clearance limit to its landing area
Complete the MATS reference:
Issue a take off or landing clearance to a helicopter, provided...
Issue a take off or landing clearance to a helicopter, provided the operation takes place on the manoeuvring area. If the pilot intends to take off or land from an approved non manoeuvring area, use the clearance format detailed in Takeoff or Landing Clearance from Unapproved Area.
Hover Taxi
The movement of a helicopter or vertical takeoff and landing aircraft above the surface of an aerodrome and in ground effect at airspeeds less than approximately 20 kt.
CARs 602.96 (5)
Where it is necessary for the purpose of the operation in which the aircraft is engaged, a pilot-in-command may operate an aircraft at an altitude of less than 2000 feet over an aerodrome, where it is being operated:
(b) for the purpose of saving a human life;
(c) for fire-fighting or air ambulance operations;
(d) for the purpose of the administration of the Fisheries Act or the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act;
(e) for the purpose of the administration of the national and provincial parks;
(f) for the purpose of flight inspection;
(g) for the purpose of aerial application or aerial inspection;
(h) for the purpose of highway or city traffic patrol;
(i) for the purpose of aerial photography conducted by the holder of an air operator certificate;
(j) for the purpose of helicopter external load operations; or
(k) for the purpose of flight training conducted by the holder of a flight training unit operator certificate.
Complete the MATS reference:
Clear helicopters to air taxi, unless either of the following apply:
Clear helicopters to air taxi, unless either of the following apply:
• The pilot has requested clearance to hover taxi or taxi on the surface.
• The unit manager has directed that helicopters are to taxi only via the hover mode in specified situations
Do not clear a helicopter to air or hover taxi if you know it will result in flight over persons, vehicles, or aircraft.
Complete the MATS reference:
Helicopters Conducting IFR Flights in IMC
IFR helicopters departing in IMC must...
Helicopters Conducting IFR Flights in IMC
IFR helicopters departing in IMC must take off from a runway or heliport.
IFR helicopters arriving in IMC must conduct an instrument approach.
IFR helicopter flights may originate from or terminate at other locations on the airport via airborne or ground taxiing.
Air Taxi
The movement of a helicopter or vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (VTOL) above the surface of an aerodrome but normally not above 100 ft AGL. The aircraft may proceed via flight at airspeeds of more than 20 kt. (US and Canada)
One of the two terms encompassed by ICAO's term air taxiing.