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Low-level Requirements

Minimum Height Rules​

  • Over a populous area or public gathering: 1,000 ft above the highest feature or obstacle within a horizontal radius of 300 m of the point on the ground or water immediately below the helicopter.

  • Other areas: 500 ft above the highest feature or obstacle within a horizontal radius of 300 m of the point on the ground or water immediately below the helicopter.

These limits do not apply during take-off and landing, conducting a forced or precautionary landing, or to avoid adverse weather conditions.

To fly below these heights you need:

  • Helicopter category rating
  • Low-level rating, and
  • Conduct a risk assessment before the flight

Aerial mustering, sling operations winching and rappelling have further training requirements.

Low-level Endorsement Requirements​

You must receive at least 5 hours of dual low-level training.

Flight Review Requirements​

You must have completed a low-level rating flight review within the previous 12 months.

Recent Experience Requirements​

You can only exercise the privileges of the rating if in the previous 6 months you have:

  • Completed at least 2 hours of low‑level operations, or

  • Been assessed as competent to conduct low‑level operations by a flight instructor who holds a low‑level training endorsement, or

  • Completed an operator proficiency check in low‑level operations, or

  • Completed a flight review for the rating within the previous 6 months.