Helicopter noise in London

How noise is measured

EASA certification noise levels database

EASA publishes approved certification noise levels for each aircraft configuration. National authorities use them as the basis for individual noise certificates (EASA Form 45). The data is split into four files, one of them rotorcraft. Issue 53 of the rotorcraft file is dated 29 October 2026 (xlsx). Source

Helicopter noise type certificate data sheet (example: Robinson R66)

EASA's noise type certificate data sheet (TCDSN) for the R66, Issue 2 dated 8 January 2025, lists the certification basis as ICAO Annex 16 Volume I, Chapter 8 (8.4.2), with separate Take-Off, Overflight and Approach EPNL levels and limits. This shows what helicopter noise certification actually records: three EPNL figures, not a single 'decibel' number. Source

EASA CS-36 Aircraft Noise

EASA's CS-36 is the certification specification that implements Annex 16 Volumes I to III for EASA. Amendment 6 (ED Decision 2021/011/R, 14 July 2021) is shown as repealed, so a newer amendment applies; the current one was not identified. Source

'Fly Neighbourly' at London Heliport (the working UK example)

London Heliport's Conditions of Use, Issue 5 (1 Feb 2025), para 3.26 sets out its Fly Neighbourly policy: fly as high as possible subject to ATC; hold circuit height 1,000 ft amsl until final approach; climb to it quickly after departure; take-off, climb and approach offset 15 degrees from the runway direction over the river centre; no manoeuvres below 500 ft other than climb-out or approach; turns over the river, not cut short; avoid steep banked turns at speed and 'blade-slap'. The heliport's environment page adds that engine or rotor start before passenger arrival is not permitted and ground running is guided to a maximum of 5 minutes. Source

London Heliport environment page (Fly Neighbourly, hours, consultative group)

Same procedures in web form; says noise complaint findings go to the London Heliport Consultative Group at least twice a year; slot system limits holding and engine running. Source

Who regulates it

Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)

Enforces the Air Navigation Order and Rules of the Air (including low flying). States it has no legal power to restrict aircraft that are not breaching the Rules of the Air, and no power to prevent flights over a location or at a time for environmental reasons. Treats aircraft noise as separate from a breach of aviation rules. Source

Department for Transport (DfT) / Secretary of State

Can restrict flying by regulation under ANO 2016 art 239 (example: Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (River Thames) Regulations 2018, SI 2018/935, which restricted unmanned aircraft only, 14-16 Sep 2018, for helicopter filming). DfT answered in Jan 2026 that aircraft noise is not a statutory nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (see news). Source

Operators of airports and heliports (London Heliport, Heathrow, London City)

Civil aircraft noise complaints go first to the airport the aircraft was operating from or to (CAA guidance). London Heliport controls only its own 2 NM zone; anything outside is managed by NATS at Heathrow. London Heliport hours 0700-2300 (see night_flying). Source

Local councils (Wandsworth, Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea; Lambeth, Westminster, Tower Hamlets)

CAA states local authorities have no legal power on aircraft noise. Councils do act as planning authority (London Heliport's operating limits come from its planning permission and a section 106 agreement, enforced by Wandsworth) and as members of the London Heliport Consultative Group (Wandsworth chairs; H&F and RBKC are represented). Wandsworth, H&F and RBKC jointly commissioned the 2017-18 LSBU noise study. Lambeth, Westminster and Tower Hamlets: no council helicopter-noise policy page found; not stated. Source

NATS (air traffic) and London Heliport ATC

All helicopter flights in the London and London City control zones need ATC clearance; accepting clearance does not remove the pilot's responsibility to comply with the Rules of the Air. Pre-determined helicopter routes exist; NPAS and HEMS multi-engine helicopters may operate lower, hold at specific locations, or be exempt from some regulations. Source

Ministry of Defence

CAA has no authority over military aircraft. Low-flying military complaints: SWK-lowflying@mod.gov.uk, tel 01780 417 558 (CAA breach page); military noise enquiries 0845 600 7580 (CAA noise page). Source

London Assembly Environment Committee 2006 review 'London in a spin'

October 2006, 44 pages, 14 recommendations. Found helicopter complaints unclear and difficult because it was unclear which organisation was responsible; called for a DfT review, better data, a clear complaints system, a London Heliport Consultative Committee (set up since) and a 25% write-down allowance for quieter helicopters. The CAA replied recommendation by recommendation; Rec 5: CAA already considered the Mayor a statutory consultee; Rec 10: no anticipated change, CAA could only act on safety or airspace-restriction grounds. Follow-up report to the committee 18 Nov 2008. Source

What the London Assembly found

GLA report 'London in a spin: a review of helicopter noise'

London Assembly Environment Committee, published 1 October 2006; recommends better data collection, clearer complaints procedure, charge for ATC services, incentives for quieter aircraft, restrictions on helicopters used for advertising. March 2007 update: committee met Minister Gillian Merron in Dec 2006; agreed data collection and complaints procedures first. Source

CAA response to the Assembly's 14 recommendations

CAA: a NATS data mechanism to publish movements on the CAA website; noise complaints already handled by CAA DAP; Mayor already a statutory consultee on GLA matters; recommendations 1,4,6,8,9,11,12,14 'not for the CAA'; Rec 7 holding: NATS working on proposals including airspace classification, extending H4 east and a new route south-east from Battersea; Rec 10 advertising/media: no anticipated change. Source

CAA position: no power to restrict noisy but legal flights

If an aircraft causes noise nuisance but does not breach the Rules of the Air, the CAA says it has no legal power to restrict its activity. Complain to the airport (if relevant), local planning authority, or the aircraft operator (find via G-INFO). Military helicopters: MoD. CAA form FCS 1521 for aircraft noise/low flying. The page has no helicopter-specific advice. Source

Heathrow noise line (listed by CAA)

0800 344 844, noise_complaints@heathrow.com (for aircraft to/from Heathrow, not general helicopters). Source

Noise abatement in the routes

AIP asks pilots on the Thames not to fly so close to banks that noise becomes a nuisance; H9 night restriction for environmental reasons; avoid overflying hospitals, palaces, schools, prisons. Source

2005 CTR Review Group Report

Says no single-engine flights in R160 at any time other than along the Thames; basis of later airspace changes. CAA says the London CTR airspace was established in its current form in 2014. Source

Complaints data

Number of helicopter noise complaints for London: not stated in any source read. Source