Battersea Heliport and helicopter noise
Helicopter routes in London
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Generally speaking all helicopters flying within the Central London area must fly in accordance with both local Air Traffic Control (ATC) and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) guidelines for operating within what is known as the London Control Zone (CTR).
Helicopter movements to the East of London are controlled by Air traffic Control at London City Airport whilst those within the London Control Zone operate under the instructions of Air Traffic Control located at Battersea Heliport.
A number of years ago, the CAA designated certain routes across London that helicopters were obliged to keep to. Although these routes were originally created to ensure safe separation from increasing Heathrow traffic they also reflected custom and practice at that time which was to ensure so far as possible that helicopters flew either over water or close to open space so that in the event of engine failure it would be theoretically possible for a stricken aircraft to land safely either on water or away from built up areas.
Throughout the London Control Zone helicopter pilots are required to follow a "rule of the air" regulation which precludes flying closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel or structure. This requirement is, by necessity, relaxed when helicopters are taking off and landing and specific inbound / outbound flight procedures apply. Published arrival and departure routes for Battersea require pilots to use the river routes both in easterly and westerly directions. Pilots are normally instructed by ATC that all turns should be made, as far as is practical over the river above 500ft.
The proximity of Heathrow flight paths also limits the maximum height at which helicopters are allowed to fly within the London Control Zone. Generally a minimum vertical separation distance of 1000 ft is required by Air Traffic Control between a fixed wing aircraft and a helicopter flying under. This effectively means the helicopter circuit height is around 1000 ft. and is centred over the river between Chelsea and Putney bridges.
You can view helicopter activity over London at www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=1346
Twin-engined helicopters
The last twenty years or so has seen a steady growth in the number of civilian helicopters fitted with twin turbine engines. These aircraft are designed be able to keep flying safely in the event that one engine should fail. In recognition of this enhanced safety feature, twin-engined helicopters are now allowed (subject to air traffic control instructions) to fly "off route" over much (but not all) of London . The CAA recently estimated that within the London Area 60% of helicopter flights are by twin-engined aircraft.
