Paragraph 6 Exemptions from the low flying prohibitionsI1

United Kingdom

The exemptions from the low flying prohibitions are as follows—

(a)

Landing and taking off

(i)

An aircraft is exempt from the low flying prohibitions when 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 certificated or notified aerodrome.

(ii)

An aircraft is 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 apply to any captive balloon or kite.

(c)

Special VFR flight and notified routes

(i)

Subject to paragraph (ii), an aircraft is exempt from the 1,000 feet rule when—

(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 notified aerodrome.

(d)

Balloons and helicopters over congested areas

(i)

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

(ii)

Subject to rule 5(3)(a) a helicopter flying over a congested area is exempt from the land clear rule.

(e)

Police air operator’s certificate

An aircraft flying in accordance with the terms of a police air operator’s certificate is 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 is exempt from the 500 feet rule when 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 is exempt from the 500 feet rule if it is hill-soaring.

(h)

Picking up and dropping at an aerodrome

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

(i)

Manoeuvring helicopters

(i)

Subject to paragraph (ii), a helicopter is exempt from the 500 feet rule if it is conducting manoeuvres, in accordance with normal aviation practice, within the boundaries of a certificated or military 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

An aircraft is exempt from the 500 feet rule if it is flying in accordance with—

(i)

article 130(3)(f) of this Order; or

(ii)

an aerial application permission granted by the Governor under article 128 of this Order.

Annotations

Commencement

I1: Sch. 4 para. 6 in force at 1.1.2014, see art. 1