Helicopter Operations
The majority of the traffic on VATSIM is fixed-wing aircraft, and this can sometimes make helicopter operations seem difficult and confounding. But while there are differences between helicopter and fixed-wing operations, controlling helicopters is actually quite simple.
Common Helicopter Types
The ICAOs for many common helicopters may be unfamiliar to controllers used to fixed wing operations. Below is a list of some helicopter types that you may encounter in VATPAC airspace.
| ICAO | Aircraft |
|---|---|
| A139 | AgustaWestland AW139 |
| AS50 | Airbus Helicopters H125 |
| B06 | Bell 206 |
| B407 | Bell 407 |
| B412 | Bell 412 |
| BK17 | MBB/Kawasaki BK117 |
| EC35 | Eurocopter EC-135 |
| EC45 | Eurocopter EC-145 |
| EC75 | Eurocopter EC-175 |
| G2CA | Guimbal Cabri G2 |
| H60 | Sikorsky H60 |
| R22 | Robinson R22 |
| R44 | Robinson R44 |
| R66 | Robinson R66 |
| S92 | Sikorsky S-92 |
Phraseology
On first contact, helicopters will prefix their callsign with "HELICOPTER".
Phraseology
WP1: "Gold Coast Tower, helicopter WP1, 6 miles south, inbound YXTV, received G"
Aerodrome Operations
Airways Clearances
At most aerodromes, airways clearances for helicopters are exactly the same as fixed-wing aircraft. Helicopters most commonly operate under VFR and the clearance phraseology is identical to fixed wing aircraft.
Phraseology
RSCU533: "Brisbane Delivery, helicopter RSCU533, MEDEVAC, for YXHE, request clearance"
BN ACD: "RSCU533, Brisbane Delivery, cleared to YXHE via BLHS flight planned route, climb A025, squawk 1256, departure frequency 124.7"
RSCU533: "Cleared to YXHE via BLHS flight planned route, climb A025, squawk 1256, departures 124.7, RSCU533"
Helicopters operating IFR should be processed just as a fixed-wing aircraft. They will be issued a radar SID (where available) and assigned a runway, unless a visual departure is acceptable.
Phraseology
RDBK5: "Willy Delivery, helicopter RDBK5 for YSHW, request clearance"
WLM ACD: "RDBK5, Willy Delivery, cleared to YSHW via LIMLO flight planned route, runway 12, WLM4 departure, climb via SID to A030, squawk 2070, departure frequency 135.7"
RDBK5: "Cleared to YSHW via LIMLO flight planned route, runway 12, WLM4 departure, climb via SID to A030, squawk 2070, departures 135.7, RDBK5"
Coded Clearances
Aerodromes that see significant helicopter traffic, such as Sydney may implement local procedures that specify coded clearances that can be issued to helicopters.
Phraseology
YOE: "Sydney Delivery, helicopter YOE, for the Harbour Bridge 5 outbound, request clearance"
SY ACD: "YOE, Delivery, cleared Harbour Bridge 5 outbound, squawk 0215, departure frequency 123.0"
YOE: "Cleared Harbour Bridge 5 outbound, squawk 0215, departure frequency 123.0, YOE"
These local procedures are documented in these SOPs on the relevant aerodromes' page.
Ground Movements
Helicopters are capable of more manoeuvres than a fixed-wing aircraft, and as such there are unique procedures and phraseology to handle their movements. Beyond these differences, helicopter operations around an aerodrome are otherwise quite similar.
Ground Taxi
Some helicopter have wheels and are capable of taxiing on their own power while remaining on the ground. This maneuvre is known as 'ground taxiing' and is functionally akin to taxiing fixed-wing aircraft.
Phraseology
AD SMC: "POL2, ground taxi via A, F2, hold short runway 12."
Air Taxi
When Air Taxiing, helicopters must follow the specified taxiways while remaining within ground effect and operating at a speed less than 20KT. SMC will issue air taxi instructions in the same way as taxi instructions for fixed-wing aircraft, following standard taxi routes where relevant.
A helicopter must receive explicit clearance to cross a runway during an air taxi.
Phraseology
CS SMC: "HLTK501, air taxi via A, hold short Y."
NFFN ADC: "DQIBT, air taxi via H, cross runway 25, C to the apron."
Air Transit
Air transit allows helicopters to proceed directly between two points on the aerodrome expeditiously. During an air transit, helicopters must remain below 100ft AGL, but may operate at speeds greater than those used in air taxiing and move freely beyond the extent of taxiways. A helicopter must receive explicit clearance to cross a runway during an air transit.
Phraseology
KA SMC: "ABC, air transit to Woodside Apron."
AS ADC: "SVY801, air transit to the southern airpark, cross runway 12."
Before an SMC gives an air transit instruction to a helicopter, they must coordinate with ADC.
Tip
Where air transit will be prolonged or conflicts with other traffic are likely, consider issuing a takeoff/landing clearance instead.
Downwash
Just as fixed wing aircraft can produce wake turbulence, helicopters operating near the ground generate forceful blasts of air that can create disturbances in all directions.
Light aircraft that are operating within three times the rotor diameter of helicopter operating near the ground should be issues with a caution.
Phraseology
EN SMC: "2AB, taxi via P, R, hold short E. Traffic is a AgustaWestland 139 air taxiing via D, caution downwash."
Tip
Helicopters performing air taxi (and to a lesser extent, air transit) manoeuvres generate downwash which can damange concrete surfaces over time. In the real world, controllers will try to mitigate this by encouraging ground taxis and allowing helicopters to take-off in aprons, taxiways, etc. Controllers may choose to simulate this practice when facilitating helicopter movements.
Takeoff and Landing
Runways & Manoeuvring Area
Any takeoff or landing on any part of the manoeuvring area requires a specific takeoff or landing clearance from ADC. You should specify the location when issuing your clearance.
Phraseology
SY ADC: "RSCU209, runway 16L, cleared to land"
LT ADC: "YOE, taxiway E, cleared for takeoff"
Other Locations
Helicopters do not necessarily need to use a runway, taxiway, or helipad to takeoff or land. Helicopters often operate from aprons, paved areas, and even flat grassed areas next to hangars.
Helicopters operating from points outside the controlled manoeuvring area do not receive explicit takeoff/landing clearance. Instead. helicopters using these positions are instructed to 'report on the ground'/'report airborne' in lieu of an explicit clearance.
Phraseology
MB ADC: "RJB, southern apron, report on the ground"
CFS ADC: "WP3, report airborne"
This also applies to helicopters departing helipads away from the aerodrome but within the CTR.
Phraseology
RSCU203 is a VFR AW139 helicopter inbound from the southwest for Southcare Base (YXSB), within the CB CTR
RSCU203: "Canberra Tower, gday, RSCU203"
CB ADC: "RSCU203, Canberra Tower, report on the ground"
Visual Holds
Helicopters can be given holding instructions to facilitate movement of nearby traffic that would be impossible for fixed-wing aircrafy to perform.
Most commonly issued by ADC's that own local airspace, these instructions involve instructing the helicopter hold over a visual reference point, such as the control tower or a runway threshold, before being given onwards clearance. Such an instruction should include an obvious visual reference and an altitude restriction.
Phraseology
HWD: "Sydney Tower, helicopter HWD, Hotel 7, ready"
SY ADC: "HWD, Sydney Tower. Track to and hold over the tower not above A005, traffic landing 34L. Report airborne"
HWD: "Track to and hold over the tower not above A005, HWD"
Phraseology
RSCU510: "Brisbane Tower, helicopter RSCU510, Taxiway H2, ready"
BN ADC: "RSCU510, Brisbane Tower. Remain east of the runway 01R centreline, taxiway H2, cleared for takeoff."
RSCU510: "Remain east of the Runway 01R centreline, taxiway H2, cleared for takeoff, RSCU510."
IFR Approaches
Arriving IFR Helicopters should be processed just as a fixed-wing aircraft and cleared for an IAP and, if landing on a runway, receive standard runway landing clearances.
When not visual, IFR helicopters may request to fly an instrument approach and, once visual, break off for a landing at a helipad or nearby location within the CTR.
Phraseology
HM1 is an IFR helicopter inbound to YMAY
AY ADC: "HM1, cleared RNP-Z approach runway 07"
HM1: "Cleared RNP-Z approach runway 07, HM1"
HM1: "HM1 visual, request the Western Helipad"
AY ADC: "HM1, track to the Western Helipad, cleared visual approach, report on the ground"
HM1: "Track to the Western Helipad, cleared visual approach, HM1"
Phraseology
RSCU206 is an IFR helicopter inbound to YXNS, cleared via the YSSY RWY 16L ILS approach due to low cloud
RSCU206: "Sydney Tower, RSCU206"
SY ADC: "RSCU206, Sydney Tower, report visual"
RSCU206: "Wilco, RSCU206"
RSCU206: "RSCU206, visual"
SY ADC: "RSCU206, track to YXNS, cleared visual approach, report on the ground"
RSCU206: "Track to YXNS, cleared visual approach, RSCU206"