ENR 3.4 HELICOPTER ROUTES
1 HELICOPTER OPERATIONS OVER SINGAPORE ISLAND
1.1 INTRODUCTION
1.1.1 The rapid building development in many parts of Singapore has made it necessary for helicopter operations to be more stringently regulated in order to enhance safety. All helicopter operators are required to adhere strictly to the following procedures.
1.2 RESTRICTED AREA -SINGLE-ENGINE HELICOPTER OPERATIONS RESTRICTED
1.2.1 Single-engine helicopters are restricted from operating over and within the city area enclosed in the triangle bounded by the following locations:
- South of Rochor River/Kallang River (011817N 1035205E);
- Shenton Way/Keppel Road (011623N 1035045E); and
- Scotts Road/Orchard Road (011818N 1034954E).
1.3 ROUTEINGS
1.3.1 All helicopters must fly over water or use routes approved by the CAAS. There are two over-water and one over-land helicopter routes.
1.3.2 These helicopter routes are to be flown in VMC and in daylight hours. They could either be flown separately or in combination (see chart ENR 3.4-5).
1.4 OVER-WATER ROUTES
1.4.1 One of the two over-water routes is to the north of Singapore Island for helicopter flights into and out of Seletar Aerodrome. The other route is along the southern shore of Singapore. They are as described below.
1.4.1.1 Heli-Route Alpha
This route covers the area from Johor Causeway eastbound over water along Selat Johor, following the coastline of Singapore Island via the northern contour of Pulau Ubin and along the eastern coastline, down to Bedok Jetty (011819N 1035632E) and vice versa. Within the vicinity of Changi Naval Base (CNB), transiting helicopters are to keep laterally clear by tracking along the following markers located about 1km from the Naval Base (see table below and diagram on page ENR 3.4-2).
| Markers Description | Coordinates | Remarks | |
| a) | CHANGI BEACON | 011909N 1040206E | White lights, 3 flashes every 15 sec |
| b) | BUOY CNB-04 | 011844N 1040224E | Yellow buoy, 3m above waterline Yellow lights, 1 flash every 2 sec |
| c) | BUOY CNB-03 | 011809N 1040224E | Yellow buoy, 3m above waterline Yellow lights, 1 flash every 2 sec |
| d) | BUOY CNB-02 | 011806N 1040100E | Yellow buoy, 3m above waterline Yellow lights, 1 flash every 2 sec |
| e) | BUOY CNB-01 | 011829N 1040059E | Yellow buoy, 3m above waterline Yellow lights, 1 flash every 2 sec |
| f) | Singapore Armed Forces Yacht Club Jetty | 011851N 1040058E | Yellow lights, 3 lamp posts along jetty |
Note: Pilots are to adhere strictly to the above transit routes. | |||
Height: Minimum 200ft AMSL or as specified by the appropriate air traffic control authority.
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1.4.1.2 Heli-Route Bravo
Originates from Bedok Jetty (011819N 1035632E), following the coastline of Singapore Island via the southern tip and contour of Sentosa towards Tuas and vice versa.
Height : Minimum 200ft AMSL or as specified by the appropriate air traffic control authority.
1.5 OVER-LAND ROUTE
1.5.1 The over-land transit route established to facilitate helicopter movements across the Singapore Island is as follows:
1.5.1.1 Heli-Route Charlie
Originates from Johor Causeway, southbound to Murnane Reservoir (012104N1034710E) along the eastern side of Bukit Timah Expressway. From Murnane Reservoir to Pandan Reservoir (011855N1034436E) and vice versa. To avoid overflying built-up areas en-route by routing over open areas / nature reserve areas. Height: Minimum 1,500ft AMSL or as specified by the appropriate air traffic control authority.
1.6 CONDITIONS GOVERNING THE USE OF HELI-ROUTE CHARLIE
1.6.1 The over-land route is established based on evidence of ground features and is therefore subject to CAAS’s review. Approval to use the route is given with the following conditions:
- The operator is fully satisfied that the route can be flown within the flight capability of the helicopter and that there are adequate suitable emergency landing sites along the route when in use. It remains the responsibility of the operator to ensure that his pilots are familiar with the route and the conditions governing them.
- The route is to be flown in VMC and in daylight hours.
- Prior ATC clearance from the appropriate controlling authority must be obtained.
1.7 FLIGHTS OPERATING OUTSIDE THE ESTABLISHED ROUTEINGS
1.7.1 With the exception of an emergency situation, at all times, a helicopter shall not be operated within the Changi Control Zone or overland and outside of Heli-Route Charlie, unless prior permission has been obtained from the Director-General, CAAS.
1.7.2 While this requirement is not applicable for helicopter training flights operating within a designated aircraft training area (Light Aircraft Training Areas A, B or C), flight planning requirements per paragraphs 1.1.2 and 1.1.3 in page ENR 1.10-1 remain applicable.
1.7.3 An application for permission can be submitted to caas_ats_ansp@caas.gov.sg. CAAS may ask for a flight inspection of the proposed route and / or areas of operation. The applicant shall provide the means and bear the cost of the flight inspection. Each case would be considered on its own merits and unless CAAS is satisfied that there are very good justifications, approval would normally not be given.
1.8 FLIGHT PLAN REQUIREMENTS
1.8.1 For Flight Plan requirements, refer to ENR 1.10 FLIGHT PLANNING.
2 PROCEDURES FOR THE CONTROL OF HELICOPTER OPERATIONS AT SINGAPORE CHANGI AIRPORT
2.1 APPROACH AND DEPARTURE PROCEDURES
2.1.1 Before entering the Changi Control Zone, a helicopter pilot is to advise Singapore Tower of his direction of approach, distance from the airport, altitude and type of helicopter. Singapore Tower will pass to the pilot the runway in use, QNH (QFE on request), surface wind and direction and if necessary the position of the helicopter alighting area:
| Example: | RWY 20R QNH 1008, Wind 020/7kt, light on the runway, Clear to make an approach or hold clear of the Control Zone until advised. |
2.1.2 All alightings and take-offs are to be made in a north/south direction as determined by the prevailing wind. The approach from and the turn after take-off shall be made clear of all airport buildings, aprons and obstructions. Requests for approach into and take-offs from Singapore Changi Airport shall be made to Singapore Tower.
2.1.3 Helicopters intending to cross the Changi Control Zone must cross the runway immediately on receipt of clearance and cross at right angles to the runway. Helicopters would be cleared to cross the runway up to the time when a fixed wing aircraft has reached 4NM final approach and Singapore Tower has the landing aircraft in sight. If the weather condition is such that it is not expected that Singapore Tower can see the landing aircraft at 4NM final approach, crossing will only be cleared up to the time the landing aircraft reports leaving the SAMKO Holding Area or NYLON Holding Area inbound.
2.1.4 After take-off, the helicopter is to make a turn-off right or left as appropriate as soon as possible and proceed until well clear of the Changi Control Zone. On reaching the boundary of the zone, the pilot will report ‘clearing your zone’ and normal clearance will be given.
2.2 GROUND OR AIR TAXIING
2.2.1 After landing, the helicopter is required either to ground or air taxi via the taxiways into its allocated aircraft stand.
2.2.2 For take-offs, the helicopter will either ground or air taxi away from its aircraft stand and move out of the parking area via taxiways to the runway or helicopter area for take-off.
2.3 ALLOCATION OF AIRCRAFT STANDS
2.3.1 The allocation of aircraft stands for helicopters rests with the Apron Control Unit. In allocating aircraft stands the Duty Officer at the Apron Control Unit shall take into consideration the type of helicopter, stand occupancy time and the nature of the flight i.e. passenger carrying, training or for maintenance purposes.
2.3.2 Helicopter ferrying passengers will normally be allocated remote aircraft stands, i.e. stands without aerobridges.
2.4 RADIO FAILURE PROCEDURE
2.4.1 In the event of radio failure, the helicopter affected if on the ground shall not take-off
2.4.2 If radio failure occurs while in the air, alighting and taxiing clearances will be given by the Tower by the use of the appropriate light signals as described in page ENR 1.1-12, Appendix ‘A’.
2.5 NIGHT OPERATIONS BY HELICOPTERS
2.5.1 Helicopters that are required to operate into and out of Singapore Changi Airport at night shall land on the runway and ground taxi into its aircraft stand via the lighted taxiways.
