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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