Helicopter charter has its own vocabulary. This plain-English glossary explains the terms you will meet when booking, from AOC and PPR to landing fees, positioning flights and weight and balance, in plain English.
The glossary
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| AOC (Air Operator’s Certificate) | The approval from the Civil Aviation Authority that lets a company carry passengers for payment, after checks on its aircraft, crews, maintenance and procedures. |
| CAA | The UK Civil Aviation Authority, which regulates aviation. |
| VFR | Visual flight rules: flying by sight, which needs minimum visibility and distance from cloud. |
| IFR | Instrument flight rules: flying by reference to the instruments, with suitably equipped aircraft and crew, when visibility is reduced. |
| ATC | Air traffic control. |
| Heliport, helipad, landing site | A heliport is an aerodrome for helicopters, a helipad is a landing pad, and a landing site is any place where a helicopter lands. |
| PPR | Prior permission required: you must have permission from an airfield or landowner before landing. |
| Landing fee | A charge made by an airfield or heliport for landing and parking. |
| Positioning flight | A flight without passengers to bring the helicopter to the start of your trip or back from the end. |
| Waiting time | Time the helicopter waits for you at a destination before the return flight. |
| Weight and balance | The calculation of passenger, luggage and fuel weights to make sure the helicopter is loaded safely. |
| MTOW | Maximum take-off weight, the most the helicopter may weigh at take-off. |
| Twin-engine | A helicopter with two engines; see twin-engine vs single-engine helicopters. |
| Knot and nautical mile | A nautical mile is 1.15 statute miles; a knot is one nautical mile per hour. |
| Rotors running | Boarding or unloading while the rotors are still turning, with handlers escorting passengers. |
| Downwash | The strong air pushed downwards by the rotors. |
| Slot | An allotted time to arrive at or depart from an airfield or heliport. |
| Passenger manifest | The list of everyone on board, with names and details such as passport numbers on international flights. |
| GAR (General Aviation Report) | The form used to give the authorities details of flights into and out of the UK. |
| Diversion | Landing at another site because of weather or a closure. |
Where to go next
Terms used in the booking process are explained in how to book a private helicopter in London, and weather terms in helicopter charter and the weather. The FAQs answer common questions.
Frequently asked questions
What is an AOC?
An Air Operator’s Certificate, the approval from the Civil Aviation Authority that lets a company carry passengers for payment.
What does VFR mean?
Visual flight rules: flying by sight, which requires minimum visibility and distance from cloud.
What is a positioning flight?
A flight without passengers that brings the helicopter to the start of your trip or back from the end.
What is PPR?
Prior permission required: permission you must have from an airfield or landowner before landing.
Plan your flight
Still unsure about a term? Ask us, and tell us your route and date so we can reply with a price. Our charter team is available 24 hours a day.