Air Law — PPL(H)

The ICAO and UK rules of the air apply equally to helicopter and fixed-wing operations. Helicopters are subject to the same right-of-way hierarchy and must give way to gliders, balloons, and airships in addition to other helicopters and aeroplanes.

• Converging: give way to the aircraft on your right.
• Head-on: both alter course to the right.
• Overtaking: overtake to the right; the overtaken aircraft has right of way.
• Landing: an aircraft on final or landing has right of way over aircraft in flight.
• Helicopter vs. aeroplane converging at same height: helicopter gives way to aeroplane (aeroplane has less ability to manoeuvre quickly).

• Fly as PIC of single-engine piston helicopters (SEP(H)) — type as specified in licence.
• Carry passengers within the UK (after 3 take-offs and 3 landings in preceding 90 days).
• No commercial carriage of passengers or cargo for remuneration.
• Night flight requires a separate Night Rating (Helicopter).
• PPL(H) does not permit fixed-wing flight — a separate PPL(A) or LAPL(A) is required.

Helicopters operate in the same airspace system as aeroplanes. The airspace classification, VFR minima, and entry requirements are identical. The difference is operational: helicopters can operate at very low level, transition to the hover, and land almost anywhere — but the legal framework still applies.

• ATZ: 2 nm radius, SFC to 2,000 ft AAL. Radio contact required — same as fixed-wing.
• MATZ: 5 nm radius, SFC to 3,000 ft AAL. Contact and routing request recommended.
• Operating below 500 ft: legal in Class G but subject to Rules of the Air — must not endanger persons or property.
• Low-level helicopter routes: some exist in UK AIP for specific operations — check charts.

Helicopters may land away from licensed aerodromes provided they comply with the relevant rules. This is one of the practical differences from fixed-wing operations, but the legal framework still constrains where and how.

• In Class G: helicopters may land away from aerodromes if not endangering persons or property.
• Permission from the landowner is required — trespass law applies even when aviation law permits.
• Noise abatement: low-level flight over built-up areas must comply with the 500 ft rule unless taking off or landing.
• Emergency landing: anywhere is permitted in an emergency — report to the CAA afterwards.