Helicopter Ops

Helicopter Ops.

As many of you are aware, Army helicopters from Middle Wallop use our airfield for night flying practice. I have received a telephone call from them, to clarify how best to work together if we need to come onto the airfield while they are practising. Their usual exercise is to practise a low hover in the dark, which they usually do over the old runway (west side / road side) of the field, often facing west but depends on the wind direction, about half way from the gate to the north rigging area. They are wearing night vision goggles, which have limited peripheral vision, and so can really only see in front of them; it also makes it very difficult to assess distances and speeds of moving vehicles. If you need to come onto the airfield when they are practising, please observe the following:

• keep well away from the helicopter
• use the east side (field side) perimeter through Dingley Dell for access to/from the

clubhouse and hangar area, unless it is obvious that that will bring you into conflict with the helicopter

• do not shine headlights towards the helicopter