Today, whilst en route to Battersea via the Helilanes I heard Heathrow issue another helicopter (twin) a clearance from Ally Pally – Brent – Battersea “VFR Not above 1300ft on Heathrow QNH1023”.
Is this a legal height to fly over the congested area in respect to the 1000ft rule?
I’ve not studied the map to check the heights of every building along that route but I’m pretty sure there will be structures in excess of 300ft tall within 600m of the route.
Could this be a throwback to when Heathrow used to be Class A so that particular routing was SVFR so exempt the 1000ft Rule?
I note that the UK AIP entry for Heathrow exempts the 1000ft Rule along the Helilanes, but I don’t see any mention of it for Ally Pally to Battersea. Do we need a Route establishing to protect the pilots of the twins that fly that route frequently?
Please someone explain.
JJ
