British Rule 5 and private sites
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: New York City
Posts: 820
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Question](https://www.pprune.org/images/infopop/icons/icon5.gif)
Can the Brits here settle a crew-room argument for me.
Do helos on private flights in the UK have to comply with the 500 feet rule when landing and taking off from private sites?
I read here you just got a new Rule 5 but I dont know if that's changed anything.
Do helos on private flights in the UK have to comply with the 500 feet rule when landing and taking off from private sites?
I read here you just got a new Rule 5 but I dont know if that's changed anything.
![Bronx is offline](https://www.pprune.org/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
Rule 5 is modified when "taking off or landing in accordance with normal aviation practice".
This includes suspension of the 500ft separation rule.
The new rule 5 hasn't changed in that particular aspect so far as I'm aware.
G
This includes suspension of the 500ft separation rule.
The new rule 5 hasn't changed in that particular aspect so far as I'm aware.
G
![Genghis the Engineer is offline](https://www.pprune.org/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Northern Ireland
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![jbrereton is offline](https://www.pprune.org/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
My answer is no, we don't have to comply with the 500 foot rule when landing at a private site in the UK, as long as we are flying in accordance with 'normal aviation practice'.
If the CAA had meant to exclude private sites/strips, they would have said 'at a goverment aerodrome'.
What constitutes 'normal aviation practice'? Well, I interpret that to mean not directly overflying a person animal vehicle or structure on my approach....I can get closer than 500 ft during the arrival/departure, but should be prepared to vary my approach path where possible to minimise the danger/inconvenience to those/objects on the ground. And I can land closer than 500 ft to my neighbour's house.
But it's a good question - is there a better definition of 'normal aviation practice' in this context?
If the CAA had meant to exclude private sites/strips, they would have said 'at a goverment aerodrome'.
What constitutes 'normal aviation practice'? Well, I interpret that to mean not directly overflying a person animal vehicle or structure on my approach....I can get closer than 500 ft during the arrival/departure, but should be prepared to vary my approach path where possible to minimise the danger/inconvenience to those/objects on the ground. And I can land closer than 500 ft to my neighbour's house.
But it's a good question - is there a better definition of 'normal aviation practice' in this context?
![206 jock is offline](https://www.pprune.org/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: White Waltham, Prestwick & Calgary
Age: 72
Posts: 4,166
Likes: 0
Received 29 Likes
on
14 Posts
Yeah - rather like when they say you "have to be prepared for any expected event", then arguing that an engine failure is not an expected event!
It would appear that 'normal aviation practice' does not include quickstops or engine offs, but does include manoeuvring and taxiing for a decent landing position. This from a CAA guy. Unofficial. Well, maybe not. He heard it from a friend. In the bar. And it was in colour, so it's got to be true.
Phil
![Stick Out Tongue](https://www.pprune.org/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
It would appear that 'normal aviation practice' does not include quickstops or engine offs, but does include manoeuvring and taxiing for a decent landing position. This from a CAA guy. Unofficial. Well, maybe not. He heard it from a friend. In the bar. And it was in colour, so it's got to be true.
Phil
![paco is offline](https://www.pprune.org/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: UK
Age: 71
Posts: 1,364
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Don't forget the new 1,000 ft rule though (part of Rule 5). This is really the old congested area rule which does prevent you landing at a site in a congested area, without specific CAA permission.
Depends what a congested area is - the CAA view (unproven in a court) is pretty much anythng but farmland is congested.
Depends what a congested area is - the CAA view (unproven in a court) is pretty much anythng but farmland is congested.
![Helinut is offline](https://www.pprune.org/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 593
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
And don't forget the new rules for landing within 1 km of an organised assembly of more than 1000 people. You have to have the written permission of the event organiser AND the written permission of the owner of the land you will use. (Unless landing at a licensed aerodrome.)
One simple question - a swarm of answers.
One simple question - a swarm of answers.
![headsethair is offline](https://www.pprune.org/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Norfolk
Age: 85
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
500ft Rule
I suspect that one trap that could catch helicopter pilots out landing at private sites is that by the letter of the rule you are only absolved from the rule when LANDING in accordance with normal aviation practice: NOT when overflying the site to check its suitability, even though a Practice Approach is still mentioned in Ex. 26 in the JAR FCL helicopter training syllabus.
I seem to remember one of our fixed wing colleagues fell foul of this one, admittedly after overflying the strip several times, as it was held that he was within 500 ft of a person and had no immediate intention of landing.
As usual, we won't know until someone complains and it is tested in court.
I seem to remember one of our fixed wing colleagues fell foul of this one, admittedly after overflying the strip several times, as it was held that he was within 500 ft of a person and had no immediate intention of landing.
As usual, we won't know until someone complains and it is tested in court.
![rotorfossil is offline](https://www.pprune.org/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)