Low flying helicopter(s)
Discussion
A few times recently, a helicopter has been seen flying low over our village. It's been suggested that it was being used by a utility company, probably surveying re proposed new housing.
Assuming that's the case, I wondered what low flying dispensations utility companies had. The CAA website was as helpful as usual.
Assuming that's the case, I wondered what low flying dispensations utility companies had. The CAA website was as helpful as usual.
A bizarre reaction to an entirely reasonable post.Power line surveying?
The 500ft rule requires 500ft from any person or structure, so possibly diagonally; this can permit aircraft to fly close to the ground totally legally. (500ft is still pretty low!)
Sites like 360radar (mil/civil/police) and Flightradar24 (civil only) will usually show the helicopter - maybe only once it's finished it's task and at cruising height - from the reg you'll be able to look up the operator on G-INFO
The 500ft rule requires 500ft from any person or structure, so possibly diagonally; this can permit aircraft to fly close to the ground totally legally. (500ft is still pretty low!)
Sites like 360radar (mil/civil/police) and Flightradar24 (civil only) will usually show the helicopter - maybe only once it's finished it's task and at cruising height - from the reg you'll be able to look up the operator on G-INFO
SantaBarbara said:
It may have been that a Utility company were surveying for trees or shrubbery growing near power lines and causing potential obstruction to those power lines in winter weather
It may indeed. However, I don't see that your conclusion is necessarily any more right or wrong than the OP's suggestion.essayer said:
Power line surveying?
The 500ft rule requires 500ft from any person or structure, so possibly diagonally; this can permit aircraft to fly close to the ground totally legally. (500ft is still pretty low!)
Sites like 360radar (mil/civil/police) and Flightradar24 (civil only) will usually show the helicopter - maybe only once it's finished it's task and at cruising height - from the reg you'll be able to look up the operator on G-INFO
I have had RAF military aircraft overfly me at less than 500 feet in North Wales and also on Loch AweThe 500ft rule requires 500ft from any person or structure, so possibly diagonally; this can permit aircraft to fly close to the ground totally legally. (500ft is still pretty low!)
Sites like 360radar (mil/civil/police) and Flightradar24 (civil only) will usually show the helicopter - maybe only once it's finished it's task and at cruising height - from the reg you'll be able to look up the operator on G-INFO
500 ft rule
An aircraft must not fly closer than 500 ft to any person, vessel, vehicle, building or structure.
1000 ft rule
If an aircraft is flying over a congested area (town, settlement, etc.) it must fly high enough so that in the case of an engine failure, it is able to land clear without being a danger to people AND it must not fly less than 1000 ft above the highest fixed object within 600 m of the aircraft
However, that doesn't mean the helicopter has to be at a height of 500 ft over the ground - it could be flying at 50 ft, but must be 500 ft laterally from the above
Helicopters flying low include survey work, electric, gas, water companies, police, emergency services, military, training flights (practicing emergency procedures), aerial filming, lifting work, crop spraying, taking off or landing, etc, etc. Properly conducted, these operations are entirely safe and should be of minimal nuisance.
Exemptions
http://espclub.org/Rule_5.pdf
An aircraft must not fly closer than 500 ft to any person, vessel, vehicle, building or structure.
1000 ft rule
If an aircraft is flying over a congested area (town, settlement, etc.) it must fly high enough so that in the case of an engine failure, it is able to land clear without being a danger to people AND it must not fly less than 1000 ft above the highest fixed object within 600 m of the aircraft
However, that doesn't mean the helicopter has to be at a height of 500 ft over the ground - it could be flying at 50 ft, but must be 500 ft laterally from the above
Helicopters flying low include survey work, electric, gas, water companies, police, emergency services, military, training flights (practicing emergency procedures), aerial filming, lifting work, crop spraying, taking off or landing, etc, etc. Properly conducted, these operations are entirely safe and should be of minimal nuisance.
Exemptions
http://espclub.org/Rule_5.pdf
Edited by Geneve on Thursday 10th August 18:33
Next time it comes over, have a look at https://www.adsbexchange.com/ and click "Global Radar View" and zoom into your location.
Unlike most virtual radar sites, they don't filter out interesting squawks. Unfortunately, not all aircraft transmit their position, but even those tend to transmit their ID, which can be picked up on a £15 SDR tuner stick that plugs into a PC/laptop USB port, so that may be an option.
Unlike most virtual radar sites, they don't filter out interesting squawks. Unfortunately, not all aircraft transmit their position, but even those tend to transmit their ID, which can be picked up on a £15 SDR tuner stick that plugs into a PC/laptop USB port, so that may be an option.
There are some exemptions in the rules of the air for the police, air ambulance, search and rescue, and operations "in support of the
maintenance of the national infrastructure".
This was Western Power surveying lines in the field at the back of my house last year:
It was a great piece of flying to watch, though I suspect many operators have or will be switching drones for this kind of thing where possible.
maintenance of the national infrastructure".
This was Western Power surveying lines in the field at the back of my house last year:
It was a great piece of flying to watch, though I suspect many operators have or will be switching drones for this kind of thing where possible.
Geneve said:
500 ft rule
An aircraft must not fly closer than 500 ft to any person, vessel, vehicle, building or structure.
1000 ft rule
If an aircraft is flying over a congested area (town, settlement, etc.) it must fly high enough so that in the case of an engine failure, it is able to land clear without being a danger to people AND it must not fly less than 1000 ft above the highest fixed object within 600 m of the aircraft
However, that doesn't mean the helicopter has to be at a height of 500 ft over the ground - it could be flying at 50 ft, but must be 500 ft laterally from the above
Helicopters flying low include survey work, electric, gas, water companies, police, emergency services, military, training flights (practicing emergency procedures), aerial filming, lifting work, crop spraying, taking off or landing, etc, etc. Properly conducted, these operations are entirely safe and should be of minimal nuisance.
Exemptions
http://espclub.org/Rule_5.pdf
That pdf has a useful list of exemptions, some with permissionAn aircraft must not fly closer than 500 ft to any person, vessel, vehicle, building or structure.
1000 ft rule
If an aircraft is flying over a congested area (town, settlement, etc.) it must fly high enough so that in the case of an engine failure, it is able to land clear without being a danger to people AND it must not fly less than 1000 ft above the highest fixed object within 600 m of the aircraft
However, that doesn't mean the helicopter has to be at a height of 500 ft over the ground - it could be flying at 50 ft, but must be 500 ft laterally from the above
Helicopters flying low include survey work, electric, gas, water companies, police, emergency services, military, training flights (practicing emergency procedures), aerial filming, lifting work, crop spraying, taking off or landing, etc, etc. Properly conducted, these operations are entirely safe and should be of minimal nuisance.
Exemptions
http://espclub.org/Rule_5.pdf
Otherwise 500ft from a structure would preclude the leccy company surveying its pylons close up
Edited by saaby93 on Friday 11th August 10:17
Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff