USA - Europe Flying Rule differences

So there you are, an experienced filming pilot/co-ordinator in a pre-production meeting in LA or New York and for example they ask a question something like "We want to do a helicopter roof top sequence in London. Is that a problem?" "Shouldn't think so, its no big deal in the States."

Oops, you just shot yourself in the foot! What you can do with a helicopter in the States and what you can do in Britain and Europe differs hugely. With the rooftop example, there are only 4 helipads in London and only one is in regular use, which is a hospital. The others are disused and previously only for private use.

All filming in the UK is conducted under public transport rules, so no part 91 get out. This is what Flight Logistics had to do for "Entrapment" and a "VISA" Commercial, to shoot carrying passengers, ie actors, on and off the only usable London roof. The CAA require 3 firecrew and 1000 gallons of foam in attendance. Full medical and rescue equipment on site. The Pilot has to be "elevated platform" current, (3 platform take offs/landings in prior 6 months). The Pilot has to be flight examined, landing on the specific roof. The helicopter can only be an As355 Twin Star. The aircraft must have an elevated platform supplement in its flight manual. The operation is only permitted in daylight. The building requires $30million insurance The building location fee is $15,000 per day      Needless to say clients are not that keen!

Flight Logistics provides an independent service to visiting pilots who are unfamiliar with the differences that are required when flying within the UK and Europe.

Examples of aviation oddities that can bite you:

Britain, we are not allowed to commercially operate single engined helicopters at night or over water or over built up areas. France There is absolutely no helicopter flying over most of  Paris, also there is no right of landing away from airfields throughout the whole of France. As Pilot, you need a "heli surface permit". It takes 3-4 months to obtain. Holland have a special air police, complete with optical measuring systems for successful low flying prosecutions. Italy At some airports you have to present proof of landing fee payment to ATC. They then give you a green docket. They will let you start but not taxi, very embarrasing to have to shut down and walk. Bulgaria When you go air-side at international airports, in the eyes of immigration, "you leave the country". When you walk back from air-side you have to pay a fee, normally $50 each time, per person. Egypt There are no usable GA helicopters. The military will provide a Gazelle and have long meetings to fully discuss your requirements. Unusually they will even allow you plenty of time to fit a camera mount, but if you fit a mount they say "it is very much not possible to fly" but hand held's fine. General In some countries camera mount installation approval is specific to the individual airframe, not "and series".

Wow, the differences are very trappy!

As Tyler Camera Systems' European main agent, we look after an area from Iceland to Dubai and Sweden to South Africa; (it is a time zone shown by the map on the right, where all within a normal working day can easily talk). Thus we have friends in many different countries because even if you get the aviation details right, there are still things like Cycle Races or Marathons etc running that close an area down.

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If you are planning to come to Europe, if you need assistance call me, (even if you use another company) we would be glad to point you in the right direction. Tim Desbois Aerial co-ordinator (  Cell+44 7831 627878 )

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Flight Logistics Tyler Camera Systems Area