Helicopters
Helicopters operate under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and, in some cases, Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), though IFR operations are less common. While they follow many of the same procedures as fixed-wing aircraft, there are key differences due to their ability to hover, air-taxi, and land at non-airport locations.
Controller Responsibilities for Helicopter Operations
- VFR Arrivals/Departures: Handled similarly to fixed-wing aircraft.
- Traffic Patterns & Practice Approaches: Managed with consideration for helicopter-specific maneuvering capabilities.
- Operational Flexibility: Helicopters may request direct routing, off-field landings, and alternative taxi procedures.
Helicopter Callsigns
Helicopter callsigns vary based on their operator and purpose:
- Private & Corporate Flights: Use standard registration callsigns.
- Rescue Helicopters: Use specialized callsigns and may add "RESCUE" when operating on a priority mission.
- Police Helicopters: Use law enforcement identifiers.
Ground Movements & Air-Taxiing
Unlike fixed-wing aircraft, most helicopters do not taxi conventionally. Instead, they air-taxi at approximately 3 meters (10 feet) AGL.
- Controllers should issue "air-taxi" clearances instead of standard taxi instructions.
- Some helicopters have wheels and may perform limited ground taxiing.
- Helicopters can depart from intersections, helipads, or designated airport positions, subject to clearance.
Example Phraseology
| Scenario | French | English |
|---|---|---|
| Request for Air-Taxi | Tour, F-HABC, demande de déplacement en vol stationnaire | Tower, F-HABC, request air-taxi |
| Air-Taxi Clearance | F-HABC, tour, déplacement en vol stationnaire vers le point d'attente piste 18 intersection S via Y7, Y5 et S, rappelez prêt au départ. | F-HABC, Tower, air-taxi to holding point runway 18 intersection S via Y7, Y5, and S, report ready. |
Helicopter Takeoff & Landing Procedures
Helipad Takeoff & Landing
| Scenario | French | English |
|---|---|---|
| Cleared for Takeoff from a Helipad | F-HABC, vent 210 degrés, 5 nœuds, autorisé au décollage depuis l'hélipad. | F-HABC, wind 210 degrees, 5 knots, cleared for takeoff from helipad. |
| Cleared to Land at a Helipad | F-HABC, vent 210 degrés, 5 nœuds, autorisé à l'atterrissage sur l'hélipad. | F-HABC, wind 210 degrees, 5 knots, cleared to land helipad. |
Runway Takeoff & Landing Considerations
- Helicopters may depart vertically or use rolling takeoff techniques.
- They may land on designated helicopter landing sites or a runway, subject to clearance.
- Standard runway separation applies to helicopters using runways.
CTR Crossing & Direct Routing Requests
Helicopters often request direct routes or control zone (CTR) crossings due to their operational flexibility.
Example Phraseology
| Scenario | French | English |
|---|---|---|
| Request for CTR Crossing | Tour, F-HABC, demande traversée du CTR pour destination Lyon. | Tower, F-HABC, request to cross CTR en route to Lyon. |
| CTR Crossing Approval | F-HABC, QNH 1006, pistes en service 25 et 18, traversez comme demandé. | F-HABC, QNH 1006, runways 25 and 18, proceed as requested. |
| Traffic Advisory | F-HABC, trafic, Boeing 737 en finale 3 NM piste 25L, signalez en vue. | F-HABC, traffic, Boeing 737 on 3-mile final runway 25L, report traffic in sight. |
| Crossing Instruction | F-HABC, croisez derrière le trafic mentionné au sud, attention aux turbulences de sillage. | F-HABC, cross behind mentioned traffic to the south, caution wake turbulence. |
Off-Airport Landings & Takeoffs
General Considerations
- Helicopters may request off-airport landings for rescue, police, or private operations.
- Controllers do not issue landing/takeoff clearances for off-field operations but provide flight following if necessary.
Example Phraseology
| Scenario | French | English |
|---|---|---|
| Off-Field Landing Request | F-HABC, approche de l'hôpital, demande de quitter la fréquence. | F-HABC, approaching hospital, request to leave frequency. |
| Frequency Change Approval | F-HABC, (vent 210 degrés, 17 nœuds), fréquence quittée approuvée, rappelez avant de redécoller.* | F-HABC, (wind 210 degrees, 17 knots), approved to leave frequency, report prior airborne again.* |
| Scenario | French | English |
|---|---|---|
| Off-Field Takeoff Request | Tour, F-HABC, à nouveau en vol à Casablanca, demande route directe vers l’hôpital. | Tower, F-HABC, airborne again at Casablanca, request direct route to hospital. |
| Routing Approval | F-HABC, QNH 1006, pistes en service 25 et 18, poursuivez comme demandé. | F-HABC, QNH 1006, runways 25 and 18, proceed as requested. |
Priority Missions & ATC Considerations
Helicopters engaged in medical, law enforcement, or emergency response flights may request priority handling. While ATC should accommodate direct routing requests when feasible, priority cannot be demanded under standard procedures.
- Emergency flights may require direct routing through airport approach paths.
- Holding or delay vectors may be issued if required for traffic sequencing.
- Coordination with pilots ensures efficient integration into controlled airspace.
Note: On VATSIM, per the Code of Conduct, no flight has an automatic right to priority. Controllers may accommodate priority requests but are not obligated to do so if it disrupts other operations.