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364

4 – HE L I COP T ER

CIRCUITPROCEDURES

At controlled aerodromes any specific operating procedures applicable to

the helicopter traffic patternwill be detailed inERSA. The following generally

applies:

• Wherepossible, helicopter circuit trafficwill be separated from the

aeroplane traffic pattern by the use of contra-direction circuits, outside of

and parallel to the flight strip of the runway in use, and at a lower altitude

than other traffic, but not below500 ft above the aerodromeelevation; or

• When separated circuit patterns are not practicable, helicoptersmay

utilise the same traffic pattern direction as other traffic, andwill normally

operate inside and at a lower altitude than the traffic, but not below500 ft

above the aerodrome elevation.

At non-towered aerodromes the following circuit operatingprocedures apply;

• helicoptersmay be operated on contra-direction circuits and parallel to

the aeroplane traffic pattern at a lower altitude than that traffic; but not

below 500 ft above the aerodrome elevation. The landing site associated

with the helicopter circuit is to be positionedoutside the flight strip of the

runway in use so the helicopter circuit traffic does not cross theextended

centre line of that runway;

• if theprocedureoutlined above, is not practicable the helicopter circuit

patterns should be flown inside and parallel to the aeroplane traffic and

at lower altitudes, but not below 500 ft above aerodromeelevation. The

landing site associatedwith the helicopter circuitmust bepositioned

outside the flight strip of the runway inuse so that the helicopter circuit

traffic does not cross the extended centre line of that runway; or

• the helicoptermust follow the standard aeroplane traffic pattern and, in

this case,may use the fight strip area of the runway inuse;

• the pilots or radio equipped helicoptersmust broadcast their intentions

and listen out for other traffic on the appropriate frequency.

aerodromes