The Air Navigation Order 1989

2.  Helicopter and Gyroplane Pilots

Private Pilot’s Licence (Helicopters and Gyroplanes)

Minimum Age—17 years

No Maximum Period of Validity

Privileges:

The holder of the licence shall be entitled to fly as pilot in command or co-pilot of a helicopter or gyroplane of any of the types specified in the aircraft rating included in the licence:

Provided that:

(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 or 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 paragraph (a) of this proviso;

(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 ft. and a landing, at a time when the depression of the centre of the sun was not less than 12° below the horizon.

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) He shall be entitled to fly as pilot in command of any helicopter or gyroplane specified in Part 1 of the aircraft rating included in the licence when the helicopter or gyroplane is engaged on a flight for any purpose whatsoever:

Provided that:

(a) 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 Instrument Meteorological Conditions;

(b) (i) in the case of a person who is the holder of such a licence on 3rd December 1989, then for so long as that licence or a renewal thereof is valid but not after 3rd December 1994, he shall not fly such a helicopter or gyroplane on a flight for the purpose of public transport if its maximum total weight authorised exceeds 5700kg.;

(ii) on and after 4th December 1994, and in the case of a person who is the holder of such a licence granted on or after 4th December 1989 (not being a renewal of such a licence held on 3rd December 1989) forthwith upon the grant of the licence, 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;

(c) 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;

(d) 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 500ft. 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 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.

(3) 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:

Provided that he shall not act as co-pilot of any helicopter or gyroplane whose maximum total weight authorised exceeds 20000kg. 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 (Helicopters 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 proviso (b) to paragraph (2) 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 20000kg.