# 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
ScenarioFrenchEnglish
**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
ScenarioFrenchEnglish
**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
ScenarioFrenchEnglish
**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
ScenarioFrenchEnglish
**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.\*
ScenarioFrenchEnglish
**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.