The Air Navigation Order 1995

2.  Helicopter and Gyroplane Pilots

Private Pilot’s Licence (Helicopers and Gyroplanes)

• Minimum Age—17 years.

• No Maximum Period of Validity.

• Privileges:

(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the holder of the licence shall be entitled to fly as pilot in command or co-pilot of a helicopter or a gyroplane of any of the types specified in the aircraft rating included in the licence.

(2) (a) He shall not fly such a helicopter or gyroplane for the purpose of public transport or aerial work other than aerial work which consists of:

(i) the giving of instruction in flying if his licence includes a flying instructor’s rating or an assistant flying instructor’s rating; or

(ii) the conducting of flying tests for the purposes of this Order;

in either case in a helicopter or gyroplane owned, or operated under arrangements entered into, by a flying club of which the person giving the instruction or conducting the test and the person receiving the instruction or undergoing the test are both members.

(b) He shall not receive any remuneration for his services as a pilot on a flight other than remuneration for the giving of such instruction or the conducting of such flying tests as are specified in sub-paragraph (a).

(c) He shall not fly as pilot in command of such a gyroplane at night unless his licence includes a night rating (helicopters and gyroplanes) and he has within the immediately preceding 13 months carried out as pilot in command not less than 5 take-offs and 5 landings at a time when the depression of the centre of the sun was not less than 12° below the horizon.

(d) He shall not fly as pilot in command of such a helicopter at night unless:

(i) his licence includes a night rating (helicopters and gyroplanes); and

(ii) his licence includes an instrument rating (helicopters) or he has within the immediately preceding 13 months carried out as pilot in command not less than 5 flights, each consisting of a take-off, a transition from hover to forward flight, a climb to at least 500 feet and a landing, at a time when the depression of the centre of the sun was not less than 12° below the horizon.

(e) He shall not unless his licence includes an instrument rating (helicopters) fly as pilot in command or co-pilot of such a helicopter flying in airspace notified for the purposes of this Schedule:

(i) in conditions such that he cannot comply with the specified minimum weather provisions; or

(ii) in circumstances which require compliance with the Instrument Flight Rules.

Commercial Pilot’s Licence (Helicopters and Gyroplanes)

• Minimum Age—18 years.

• Maximum Period of Validity—10 years.

• Privileges:

(1) The holder of the licence shall be entitled to exercise the privileges of a Private Pilot’s Licence (Helicopters and Gyroplanes) which includes a night rating (helicopters and gyroplanes).

(2) (a) Subject to sub-paragraph (b), he shall be entitled to fly as pilot in command of any helicopter or gyroplane specified in Part I of the aircraft rating included in the licence when the helicopter or gyroplane is engaged on a flight for any purpose whatsoever.

(b) (i) He shall not, unless his licence includes an instrument rating (helicopters) fly such a helicopter on any scheduled journey or on any flight for the purpose of public transport in conditions such that the helicopter cannot comply with the specified minimum weather provisions.

(ii) He shall not fly such a helicopter or gyroplane on a flight for the purpose of public transport unless it is certificated for single pilot operation.

(iii) He shall not fly such a gyroplane at night unless he has within the immediately preceding 13 months carried out as pilot in command not less than 5 take-offs and 5 landings at a time when the depression of the centre of the sun was not less than 12° below the horizon.

(iv) He shall not fly such a helicopter at night unless his licence includes an instrument rating (helicopters) or he has within the immediately preceding 13 months carried out as pilot in command not less than 5 flights, each consisting of a take-off, a transition from hover to forward flight, a climb to at least 500 feet and a landing, at a time when the depression of the centre of the sun was not less than 12° below the horizon.

(v) He shall not fly such a helicopter or gyroplane on any flight for the purpose of public transport after he attains the age of 60 years unless the helicopter or gyroplane is fitted with dual controls and carries a second pilot who has not attained the age of 60 years and who holds an appropriate licence under this Order entitling him to act as pilot in command or co-pilot of that helicopter or gyroplane.

(vi) He shall not unless his licence includes an instrument rating (helicopters) fly as pilot in command or co-pilot of such a helicopter flying in airspace notified for the purposes of this Schedule:

(aa) in conditions such that he cannot comply with the specified minimum weather provisions; or

(bb) in circumstances which require compliance with the Instrument Flight Rules.

(3) (a) Subject to sub-paragraph (b), he shall be entitled to fly as co-pilot of any helicopter or gyroplane specified in the aircraft rating included in the licence when the helicopter or gyroplane is engaged on a flight for any purpose whatsoever.

(b) He shall not act as co-pilot of any helicopter or gyroplane whose maximum total weight authorised exceeds 20,000 kilogrammes on any flight for the purpose of public transport after he attains the age of 60 years.

(4) He shall not at any time after he attains the age of 65 years act as pilot in command or co-pilot of any helicopter or gyroplane on a flight for the purpose of public transport.

Airline Transport Pilot’s Licence (Helicopter and Gyroplanes)

• Minimum Age—21 years

• Maximum Period of Validity—10 years

• Privileges:

• The holder of the licence shall be entitled to exercise the privileges of a Commercial Pilot’s Licence (Helicopters and Gyroplanes) except that sub-paragraph (2)(b)(ii) of those privileges shall not apply and the holder of the licence shall not at any time after he attains the age of 60 years act as pilot in command or co-pilot of any helicopter or gyroplane for the purpose of public transport if its maximum total weight authorised exceeds 20,000 kilogrammes.