Air Law and Operational Procedures - PPL(H)
This domain tests the legal framework a private helicopter pilot must apply: licence privileges, documents, rules of the air, minimum heights, right-of-way and flight-plan/NOTAM awareness. It is not a memory test of regulation numbers; it asks whether a proposed flight is lawful and safe.
Licence and documents
A PPL(H) is a private licence. It allows you to fly without remuneration or hire, carry passengers and share direct costs only where the NCAA rule permits. You need a valid Class 2 medical, a type rating and recent experience - typically three take-offs and landings in the preceding 90 days to carry passengers. Carry licence, medical, aircraft certificate of airworthiness, registration, radio licence, insurance and mass-and-balance paperwork.
Rules of the air
Under ICAO Annex 2, minimum height is 1,000 ft above the highest obstacle within 600 m over congested areas or open-air assemblies, and 500 ft elsewhere, except for take-off, landing or authorised low flying. Powered aircraft give way to gliders and balloons; landing aircraft normally have right-of-way; head-on traffic alters right; converging traffic gives way to the aircraft on the right. Anti-collision lights and navigation lights are required as applicable.
Worked example
A PPL(H) holder is offered payment by tourists for a scenic flight. The aircraft is airworthy and the pilot is current. Is the flight lawful? No: payment makes it commercial operation, which requires a CPL(H) and an AOC. The private licence privilege is the deciding factor, not aircraft condition.
Traps
Confusing 500 ft and 1,000 ft minima; treating ‘sharing costs’ as permission to profit; forgetting that a valid medical and recent experience are separate from licence validity; and missing PPR, customs or NOTAM requirements for a cross-border flight.