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.

External Links

• Flight Crew Licensing (Part 61): Flight crew licences, ratings and endorsements. Low‑level ratings subpart 61.Q.