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4 – HE L I COP T ER
GENERAL
The procedures in this section apply to all helicopters operating in the
vicinity of aerodromes and in helicopter access corridors and lanes, in
accordancewith the provisions of CARs 92, 157, 163 and 166.
TAXIING
For all helicopters, maximum use of the ‘air transit’ procedure should be
made to expedite trafficmovement and flow about an aerodrome.
All helicoptersmay use ‘air taxiing’ procedures as required. However,
wheeled helicopters, where practicable, are encouraged to ‘ground taxi’ on
prepared surfaced tominimise rotor wash and its effects.
At night a helicopter should not taxi via routeswhich do notmeet the
physical dimensions and lighting requirements specified inCAAP 92-2(1).
TAKE-OFF/ DEPARTURE
At locationswithin controlled airspace, helicoptersmay be granted a take-
off clearance or instructed to report airborne, as appropriate, from any area
nominated by ATC or the pilot, and assessed by the pilot as being suitable
as aHLS.
Helicopters taking-off or departingmust proceed in accordancewithATC
instructions. Subject to clearance, a turn after take-offmaybe commenced
when the pilot considers that the helicopter is at a safe height to do so.
Unless requested by the pilot, take-off clearancewill not be issued for a
helicopter if the tailwind component exceeds 5KT.
Prescribed exit ‘gates’ and associated standard routes and/or altitudesmay
be provided to facilitate the flow of helicopter traffic. Procedures for their
usewill be promulgated in ERSA. Use of these ‘gates’ is notmandatory.
Helicoptersmay, subject to anATC clearance, revert to the standard traffic
procedure applicable to aeroplanes.
This optionmay bemore appropriatewhen operating larger helicopters.
aerodromes