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Paragraph 6 Exemptions from the low flying prohibitions

Changes not yet applied. Later legislation changes this provision in ways not yet written into the text below:

The exemptions from the low flying prohibitions are as follows—

(a)

Landing and taking off

(i)

Any aircraft shall be exempt from the low flying prohibitions in so far as it is flying in accordance with normal aviation practice for the purpose of—

(aa)

taking off from, landing at or practising approaches to landing at; or

(bb)

checking navigational aids or procedures at,

a government or certificated aerodrome.

(ii)

Any aircraft shall be exempt from the 500 feet rule when landing and taking-off in accordance with normal aviation practice or air-taxiing.

(b)

Captive balloons and kites

None of the low flying prohibitions shall apply to any captive balloon or kite.

(c)

Special VFR flight and notified routes

(i)

Subject to paragraph (ii), any aircraft shall be exempt from the 1,000 feet rule if—

(aa)

it is flying on a special VFR flight; or

(bb)

it is operating in accordance with the procedures notified for the route being flown.

(ii)

Unless the written permission of the Governor has been obtained landings may only be made by an aircraft flying under this exemption at a certificated or Government aerodrome.

(d)

Balloons and helicopters over congested areas

(i)

A balloon shall be exempt from the 1,000 feet rule if it is landing because it is becalmed.

(ii)

Any helicopter flying over a congested area shall be exempt from the land clear rule.

(e)

Police air operator’s certificate

Any aircraft flying in accordance with the terms of a police air operator’s certificate shall be exempt from the 500 feet rule, the 1,000 feet rule and the prohibitions on flying over open air assemblies and on landing and taking off near open air assemblies.

(f)

Flying displays etc

An aircraft taking part in a flying display shall be exempt from the 500 feet rule if it is within a horizontal distance of 1,000 metres of the gathering of persons assembled to witness the event.

(g)

Glider hill-soaring

A glider shall be exempt from the 500 feet rule if it is hill-soaring.

(h)

Picking up and dropping at an aerodrome

Any aircraft picking up or dropping tow ropes, banners or similar articles at an aerodrome shall be exempt from the 500 feet rule.

(i)

Manoeuvring helicopters

(i)

Subject to paragraph (ii), a helicopter shall be exempt from the 500 feet rule if it is conducting manoeuvres, in accordance with normal aviation practice, within the boundaries of a certificated or Government aerodrome or, with the written permission of the Governor, at other sites.

(ii)

When flying in accordance with this exemption the helicopter must not be operated closer than 60 metres to any persons, vessels, vehicles or structures located outside the aerodrome or site.

(j)

Dropping articles with the permission of the Governor

Any aircraft shall be exempt from the 500 feet rule if it is flying in accordance with—

(i)

article 81(3)(f) of this Order; or

(ii)

an aerial work certificate granted by the Governor under article 78(2) of this Order.