In this document, we use the following convention:
- VFR Pilot call sign is HB-ZEN.
- This is a VFR flight from Sion (LSGS) to Milan (LIMC).
- The sign ✈️ before the text means: this is the aircraft pilot transmission. (🛩️ for VFR, ✈️ for IFR)
- The sign 🚁 before the text means: this is the helicopter pilot transmission.
- The sign 🚘before the text means: this is the follow me car transmission.
- The sign 📡 before the text means: this is the air traffic controller unit (ATC unit) transmission.
The ATC is the one that may start using the short call sign. Only thereafter the pilot shall use it as well.
The term "Helicopter" has to be use in the callsign during all the flight and with every ATC units.
The full callsign is "Helicopter HB-ZEN".
The abbreviate callsign is: "Helicopter-EN"
For the rescue or military helicopter callsigns, the term "Helicopter" is not used. For exemple the helicopter from the REGA (swiss-air rescue) use the callsign "REGA" and not "Helicopter REGA". The same with the french civil security helicopters, the callsign is "DRAGON" and not "Helicopter DRAGON". These kind of specific callsigns can't be abbreviated
- 🚁 Helicopter HB-ZEN, Robinson 22, at the helipad 3, with information India, request Air Taxi for VFR flight destination Milan
- 📡 -EN, squawk 7040, air taxi to holding point runway 25 via taxiway Alpha
- 🚁 Squawk 7040, air taxiing holding point runway 25 via taxiway Alpha, helicopter-EN
- 🚁 Helicopter HB-ZEN, Robinson 22, at the helipad 3, with information INDIA, request air taxi for VFR flight destination Milan
- 📡 Helicopter-EN, exit via heliroute Whiskey, squawk 7040, air taxi holding point runway 25 via taxiway Alpha
- 🚁 Exit via heliroute Whiskey , squawk 7040, air taxiing holding point runway 25 via taxiway Alpha, Helicopter-EN
The term "taxi" can be used by the ATC. In this case, the pilot is free to select the most appropriate method, either ground taxi or air taxi
- 🚁 Holding point runway 25, ready for departure Helicopter-EN
- 📡 Helicopter-EN, contact Sion Tower, 118.275
- 🚁 Contacting Sion Tower on 118.275 Helicopter-EN
- 🚁 Helicopter-EN, Sion Tower, holding point runway 25, ready for departure
- 📡 -EN, hold in the hover, traffic on short final runway 25
- 🚁 Holding in the hover, Helicopter-EN
- (after a moment)
- 📡 Helicopter-EN runway 25, cleared for take-off, wind 190 degrees 5 knots
- 🚁 Runway 25, cleared for take-off, Helicopter-EN
¶ Take off at locations not on the manoeuvring area (e.g. apron, maintenance area, sites adjacent the aerodrome etc.)
- 🚁 Sion Tower, Helicopter HB-ZEN, Robinson 22, at the north apron, with information INDIA, request direct departure for VFR flight destination Milan
- 📡 Helicopter-EN, Sion Tower, exit via heliroute Whiskey, report over W, wind 190 degrees 5 knots, take off at your own discretion from the north apron
- 🚁 taking off, squawk 7040, exit via heliroute Whiskey, report over W, Helicopter-EN
- 🚁 Sion Tower, Helicopter HB-ZEN, at Sion hospital helipad, with information INDIA, request direct departure for VFR flight destination Milan
- 📡 Helicopter-EN, Sion Tower, squawk 7040, report over Whiskey, no other traffics reported, take off at your own discretion from the hospital helipad
- 🚁 taking off, squawk 7040, report over Whiskey Helicopter-EN
When a controller give the instruction to "take off at your own discretion", informations about other traffics near the take off area should be provided
- 🚁 Milan Tower, Helicopter HB-ZEN, with information INDIA, over W2, 2500ft, request enter CTR
- 📡 Helicopter-EN, Milan Tower, cleared to enter CTR via route Whiskey, report over W3, QNH 1017
- 🚁 Enter CTR via Whiskey, QNH 1017, will report W3 Helicopter-EN
Some VFR arrival and departure routes are make for the helicopters only, if there is one on the airfield, the route is published on the charts and the term "heliroute" is used (Published Procedures For Helicopters)
¶ Landing on the FATO/TLOF (when applicable)
- 🚁 Milan Tower, Helicopter-EN, over W3
- 📡 Helicopter-EN, On FATO cleared to land, wind 190 degrees 5 knots
- 🚁 On FATO cleared to land Helicopter-EN
Sometimes the "cleared to land" is followed by "Air taxi is approved" to indicate than after landing the helicopter can directly make an air taxi to the helistation, usually near to the FATO/TLOF, without clearence on ground
¶ Landing on a runway
- 🚁 Milan Tower, Helicopter-EN, over W3
- 📡 Helicopter-EN, runway 17R cleared to land, wind 190 degrees 5 knots, vacate via Delta
- 🚁 Runway 17R cleared to land Helicopter-EN
See alsoReferenceAuthor
- VID 514786 - Creation
- VID 496402 - Wiki.js integration