Helicopters: Urban Areas

(asked on 18th February 2022) - View Source

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to (a) reduce the number of commercial helicopter flights over densely populated areas and (b) minimise the risk of those flights to the safety of people on the ground.


Answered by
Robert Courts Portrait
Robert Courts
Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
This question was answered on 24th February 2022

Requirements for commercial helicopter flights are set by the CAA, which does not have a remit to reduce the number of commercial helicopter flights over densely populated areas.

Helicopter pilots are required to take account of weather, terrain and obstacles when selecting their routes and to consider the ability to land without undue hazard to person or property in the event of a forced landing. In the London area, routes are in place for single-engine helicopters that largely follow rivers and open spaces; multi-engine helicopters have greater freedom (as the loss of one engine will not require immediate forced landing). In many built-up areas, pilots are subject to the provision of Air Traffic Control Services. The level of oversight of commercial organisations by the CAA also gives assurance that the flight profiles followed are appropriate, the crew members are competent and have met all training requirements, and that the helicopters are adequately maintained.

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