Helicopter operations to and from natural helicopter landing sites

✈   Applicable legislation

Regulation on helicopter operations to/from natural helicopter landing sites (OG 57/19)

✈   Application form

FAO-FRM-003

Helicopter operations to and from natural helicopter landing sites (hereinafter NHLS) are permitted only with the approval of the Agency and under the conditions specified in the approval, taking into account the safety of operations. 

An approval is issued for occasional individual operation(s) of landing and take-off on/from NHLS, which is defined as a flight operation not characterised as permanent, frequent and continuous when landing and taking off on/from the same locality. 

Application Submission Procedure

1.      The application for the approval must be submitted by the helicopter operator using the published form.

2.      The fully completed application and mandatory documentation specified therein must be submitted to the Agency no later than seven (7) working days before the start of the operations.

Note: The stated deadline begins to run from the day of receipt of the fully completed and signed form and the accompanying mandatory documentation.

Operational Limitations per Locality

✈   An operator may conduct a maximum of 10 operations at single locality within three (3) months.

✈   The maximum allowed number of operations per locality annually is 50.

Notice: The restriction on the number of operations is not applicable when performing specialised operations or HEMS training flights.

Landing and take-off of on/from a NHLS is prohibited:

        ✈ within congested areas and 

        ✈ at distances less than 150 m (500 ft) from congested areas.

Pilot Requirements

Landing at and take-off from NHLS may be conducted by a helicopter pilot having the:

✈   adequate pilot license and

✈   at least 3 take-offs and landings in the last 90 days on the type of helicopter specified in the application, counting from the start date of the requested operations.

Obligations Before Commencing Operations

Prior to the commencement of the operations, the helicopter operator shall notify the relevant local police Operations and Communications Centres.

The list and phone/fax numbers of the local police authorities may be found here

Other Required Approvals

The approval issued by the Agency is aviation safety related and does not exempt the operator of the obligation to obtain approvals or consents required by other regulations (for example, consent of the property owner, physical planning, environmental protection, national parks, etc.).