Question for Tut and others perhaps (NLC)

Eric K · Post by **Eric K** » Thu Jul 04, 2013 10:59 pm

Do helicopters serving offshore installations and vessels follow flight paths like fixed wing commercial aircraft?

... or is it pretty much straight line between Dyce and their destination? ... and same on way home apart from approach?

Thanks,

Eric

tut · Post by **tut** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 9:12 am

We have fixed tracks both inbound and outbound to the platform, but based on degrees of separation for the two directions.

Also there is a height differentiation of 500ft, evens out, odds in.

tut

Eric K · Post by **Eric K** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 9:26 am

Thanks - that answers my question perfectly.

Cheers,

Eric

woody · Post by **woody** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 11:25 am

Tut, is this true for all helicopter flights? I'm near Prestwick but not on the fixed wing flight line (unless it's been used for training circuits) but have noticed the Sea Kings from Gannet very often take a path parallel to the rear of the house but about 1/4 of a mile away.

tut · Post by **tut** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 11:58 am

There will be different regulations for different parts of the Country woody.

In the North sea you are almost immediately over the water so there is no real problem with noise after take off, and also little danger of a helicopter coming down out of control over built up areas. In London the route as far as possible is down the centre of the Thames as there are many single engine helicopters with more chance of problems.

The Sea Kings from Gannet are under joint Forces and Prestwick Control, mostly on SAR therefore far fewer flights, so they will have their own routine for take off and landing based on safety issues, then they would be given a direct line to their destination, all the time under radar control so virtually no chance of collision.

tut

rossybee · Post by **rossybee** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 12:35 pm

Interesting stuff - every day's a school day and all that

I must admit, it is noticable that the majority of choppers fly north from ABZ thus avoiding the residential areas of Dyce, even when travelling in an easterly direction.

Eric K · Post by **Eric K** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 12:50 pm

Aye Ross, but if Tut hadn't said that there are prescribed corridors, I might have said that was just a function of the vast majority of installations being to the North of Aberdeen.

North Sea map here for reference.

Saying that, I think I saw you'd been on Lomond recently which is pretty much due East of my back garden.

Cheers,

Eric

rossybee · Post by **rossybee** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 1:16 pm

Yup, further north just now on the Beryl Bravo (see spotted

) but can recall taking a loop when on the Fulmar, which is pretty much due east of my front garden

Good map btw

renmure · Post by **renmure** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 3:51 pm

A couple of pics zooming into the Airspace Chart for Aberdeen showing the Helicopter inbound and outbound routes

Scottish Elises

Question for Tut and others perhaps (NLC)

Question for Tut and others perhaps (NLC)

Re: Question for Tut and others perhaps (NLC)

Re: Question for Tut and others perhaps (NLC)

Re: Question for Tut and others perhaps (NLC)

Re: Question for Tut and others perhaps (NLC)

Re: Question for Tut and others perhaps (NLC)

Re: Question for Tut and others perhaps (NLC)

Re: Question for Tut and others perhaps (NLC)

Re: Question for Tut and others perhaps (NLC)