Heathrow Helicopter Crossing Procedure

Pilot Brief

Go live date: 15th December, 2011

Heathrow Helicopter Crossing ProcedureEffective December 15th, 2011

Introduction

Due to the evolution of the aerodrome in recent years, the helicopter crossing procedures required updating. The new procedures were created after consultation with regular users of the crossing routes and have been designed to simplify the process for controllers, and particularly helicopter pilots.

The AIP section for Heathrow will be amended to reflect the changes and published in the next updated edition, on December 15th, 2011.

This includes new crossing procedures for both Westerly and Easterly operations. .

Heathrow Helicopter Crossing ProcedureEffective December 15th, 2011

General Information

Overflights, landings and departures by helicopters are permitted to operate Special VFR at Heathrow, dependent upon prevailing weather conditions. No SVFR helicopter movements whatsoever are permitted when the visibility is less than 2km.

Helicopter operations at Heathrow still commence and terminate at Sipson to the north and Bedfont or Feltham to the south, depending on the prevailing met conditions.

Helicopters routing H9 must hold at these points unless instructed otherwise by ATC.

Heathrow Helicopter Crossing ProcedureEffective December 15th, 2011

When the conditions exist for visual separation, helicopters approaching the airfield from the south will be held at Bedfont. These helicopters will be separated for wake turbulence but pilots must be able to remain in visual contact with aircraft on approach to Runway 27L in case of a missed approach.

Whilst holding at Sipson, helicopters are separated for both ATC and wake turbulence purposes from fixed-wing aircraft; landing on, departing from or executing missed approaches to all runways.

Heathrow Helicopter Crossing ProcedureReduced Visibility Crossing Procedures

If the criteria for visual procedures do not exist, but the reported visibility is 2km or greater, the following procedures apply:

Feltham is the clearance limit for helicopters approaching from the south (as Bedfont is only separated from missed approach traffic when visual conditions exist).

Helicopters holding at Feltham are separated for both ATC and wake turbulence purposes from fixed-wing aircraft landing on, departing from or executing missed approaches to all runways.

If the criteria for visual procedures do not exist, it is unlikely a crossing of the airfield will be permitted for anything other than high priority traffic, therefore other routes should be considered where possible.

Heathrow Helicopter Crossing Procedure

The crossing manoeuvre, and any holding, will be conducted at not less than 800ft.

The following diagram shows the reporting points, mid-point line designators and routes to be followed during crossing procedures.

Crossings during each runway configuration will be detailed later.

Effective December 15th, 2011

Stanwell

West of T5

Longford

Virgin Hangar

Heathrow Helicopter Crossing ProcedureVisual Crossing Procedure – Westerly Operations (27L/27R)

Helicopters will normally be instructed to cross the departure runway to the east of the threshold when westerly operations (27L/27R) are in effect.

Unless there is fixed-wing arrival traffic on approach to both runways, holding will be permitted between the two main runways. For helicopters in a holding pattern, this operation will take place between the departure threshold and a line drawn east-west through the southern edge of the Virgin hangar (see diagram). Having crossed the landing runway the helicopter will route to Sipson/Bedfont as appropriate to hold, unless otherwise instructed by ATC (AIP).

If the traffic conditions permit, the helicopter may be routed more expeditiously within the traffic circuit including a direct crossing of the airport

Heathrow Helicopter Crossing ProcedureVisual Crossing Procedure – Easterly Operations (09L/09R)

The Easterly (09L/09R) crossing route for helicopters is:Bedfont - Stanwell – West of Terminal 5 – Longford – Sipson

Whilst transiting between Bedfont and Stanwell or Longford and Sipson helicopters are separated from departures on Runway 09R and Runway 09L.

When the conditions exist for visual separation, helicopters can, if necessary, be held at Stanwell or Longford. These helicopters will be separated for wake turbulence but pilots must be able to remain in visual contact with aircraft on approach to Runway 09R/09L respectively in case of a missed approach.

The issuing of a routing, Stanwell – West of Terminal 5 – Longford and vice versa, will route the helicopters to the west of the 09R/09L thresholds.

Heathrow Helicopter Crossing ProcedureVisual Crossing Procedure – Easterly Operations (09L/09R)

When a suitable gap in the landing stream exists, ATC will pass traffic information on a fixed-wing landing aircraft and issue a crossing clearance behind. The helicopter will cross in the gap after the subject aircraft as close to the threshold as practicable and as expeditiously as possible. The helicopter will rejoin the crossing route West of Terminal 5 and hold at Bedfont/Sipson as appropriate, unless otherwise instructed by ATC (AIP).

Unless there is fixed-wing arrival traffic on approach to both runways, holding prior to crossing the landing runway will be permitted between the two main runways. For helicopters in a holding pattern, this operation will take place between the departure threshold and a line drawn east-west through the mid point of Terminal 5 (see diagram). Having crossed the landing runway the helicopter will route to Stanwell/Longford and rejoin the crossing route to hold at Bedfont/Sipson as appropriate, unless otherwise instructed by ATC (AIP).

If the traffic conditions permit, the helicopter may be routed more expeditiously within the traffic circuit including a direct crossing of the airport.

Heathrow Helicopter Crossing Procedure

Heathrow is an intensive dual runway operation and crews are advised that both runways can be used for landings at very short notice.

When crossing the promulgated landing runway, crews should be aware that inbound aircraft may be less than 2.5 miles apart as they near the airfield. The new procedures enable helicopters to be positioned so that an expeditious crossing of the runways can be carried out.

The crossing should be carried out at an altitude not below 800ft, therefore helicopters may climb before crossing the landing runway, if it assists in maintaining an adequate crossing speed.

Additional Guidance to Pilots

Heathrow Helicopter Crossing Procedure

Thank you for taking the time to brief on our new crossing procedures.

Further information is available in the AIP.

If you have any questions regarding the content of this presentation then please contact ATC at lhrops@nats.co.uk.