A Question About Helicopters at the British Grand Prix

radderfire · 10 Jul 2016 at 13:00

Just watching the British Grand Prix and the helicopters landing at the circuit. I just wondered if they would typically have a "ground controller" at these events to co-ordinate the landings, or do they just leave it to the pilots?

nemtizz · 10 Jul 2016 at 13:30

Best ask in here - https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18739295&page=11

Nazbit · 10 Jul 2016 at 16:23

Yes they do. The heliport at Silverstone is operated by Heli Air who amongst others operate shuttles to and from the circuit.

On raceday Silverstone is the busiest airport in the UK by number of movements.

They have their own ATC and visiting pilots used to have to practice the approach and landing in a number of weeks or months of the grand prix in order to be certified to do it on the day, not sure if that's still the case.

JanM · 12 Jul 2016 at 11:00

radderfire said:
Just watching the British Grand Prix and the helicopters landing at the circuit. I just wondered if they would typically have a "ground controller" at these events to co-ordinate the landings, or do they just leave it to the pilots?

You thinking of taking your own private helicopter in ?

Nismo · 13 Jul 2016 at 11:30

Nazbit said:
On raceday Silverstone is the busiest airport in the UK by number of movements.

I thought it was the world's busiest airport on raceday?

Skeeter · 13 Jul 2016 at 11:39

Nazbit said:
They have their own ATC and visiting pilots used to have to practice the approach and landing in a number of weeks or months of the grand prix in order to be certified to do it on the day, not sure if that's still the case.

I'd imagine so as the reccent changes/developments at the track have narrowed and shortended the area they have available to fly into/take off from.

They used to have a runway to follow, now they have a painted set of markings on grass that crosses an access road and the aproach is directly over a grandstand.