Why do helicopters fly over the Thames?

[longshot]

I work at Canary Wharf and I regulary see helicopter's flightpaths follow the Thames. This is understandable for tourist trips but not the military/commercial flights.

Suggestions are that they avoid Police and Air Ambulance helicopters which can go anywhere and that they have to stay a certain distance from buildings.

Thanks.

[darkmatter]

It could be that they follow the river as a route marker... birds do this when they migrate.

[longshot]

But they are low enough to see all the major landmarks and would have instruments for positioning. Someone has suggested that they could more easily crash land on the Thames rather in a built up area in London.

[theo_wyvern]

helicopters due to noise etc often avoid flying over buildings of any sort, you will often see helicopters flying over roads etc

[longshot]

That would make a bit more sense if they did follow major routes/roads into and out of London but they follow the exact curves of the Thames as they come past the Wharf rather than the A12, A13, A10, etc. They could fly past north or south of the Wharf rather than go around the Isle of Dogs.

[theo_wyvern]

probably that the thames is a little wider than the roads you mention ?

[Spansda]

Single engined aircraft are not allowed to travel over populated areas, hence they travel up the Thames.

In future dont be such a retard, just THINK about it dumb ass.

Regards

Stringfellow Hawke.

[longshot]

http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/7/DAP_EIS07.pdf

A friend found this at the CAA.

[NerdyGeek]

I believe that when the rotors on helicopters travel at speed they act like a water divining rod and are attracted to concrete. Therefore they fly over water to stop being attracted to buildings. At least thats what I think.

[Clanad]

Actually... having flown into Heathrow over the years I've observed numerous single engine aircraft at that airport. I don't think they could get there without flying over densly populated areas... could be wrong, though. Here in the U.S. aviation rules are called Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) in the U.K., they are called, I believe, Rules of the Air Regulations (RoA) and Air Navigation Orders. ANO #129 talks about flight over "congested areas" and its application to helicopters. It requires, as I suspected, adherence to a "specified area" when flying over central London. The specified area for rotorcraft in the vicinity of Heathrow is over the Thames.
While airplanes can glide quite a long distance in the case of an engine failure, helicopters do not have this luxury. So, for the safety of persons on the ground, they are limited to flight over the river for that event. If you could see them up close, you would notice rather squared of "boxes" on top of each landing skid (most don't have wheels). This is filled with a "float" that blows up in the case of a water landing so the machine (and its occupants) doesn't sink like the proverbial man hole cover...

[NerdyGeek]

Is your name Tom by any chance? I can see you in your office when I fly up the river in my helicopter. I often wonder if you've not got anything better to do.

[Clanad]

Most helicopter pilots talk real funny, Nerdy, since the vibration frequency affects their voice. However,it doesn't usually affect from where their voice actually emanates. Seems to have had a different effect on you though...

[markja]

your boss employes me to fly past & check up on you. and as you allways seem to be looking out the bloody window he wonders whether to sack you or just move your desk away from the window!

p.s. stop picking your nose in company time!