Helicopter charter regulatory center
Official rules that affect a helicopter charter, by country and topic: operator certificates, landing permission, airspace, border notices, dangerous goods, insurance, specialised (aerial work) operations and sanctions. Each item links the authority's own page and shows the date SkyMatch checked it.
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All sourced entries
Summaries are in English, the language of most cited sources.
- Licence, approval or notification requiredOperator certificateUS
A charter operator needs the authority's Part 135 (charter / air taxi) certificate. Downloadable list the FAA says can be used to verify whether an operator is certificated for charter and which aircraft are authorised. The FAA's Air Operator 14 CFR Search covers the same parts by certificate type.
Documents: Part 135 (charter / air taxi) certificate
Authority: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) · Official source: FAA-certificated aircraft operators (legal Part 135 holders) · Checked 24 Oct 2026
- Licence, approval or notification requiredOperator certificateGB
A charter operator needs the authority's Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and Operating Licence. The CAA publishes a downloadable list of UK aeroplane and helicopter AOC holders; the list file is dated by the CAA.
Documents: Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and Operating Licence
Authority: UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) · Official source: Holders of air operator certificates · Checked 24 Oct 2026
- Licence, approval or notification requiredOperator certificateEU
A charter operator needs the authority's Air Operator Certificate (AOC). EASA explains that an AOC is normally issued by the national aviation authority of the operator's state, so the check is made with that national authority rather than one EU-wide list.
Documents: Air Operator Certificate (AOC)
Authority: EASA and each state's national aviation authority · Official source: EASA: Air operator certificate (AOC) · Checked 24 Oct 2026
- Licence, approval or notification requiredOperator certificateBR
A charter operator needs the authority's Táxi-aéreo authorisation. ANAC's public search of táxi-aéreo companies and aircraft, which ANAC asks the public to use before hiring a táxi-aéreo service.
Documents: Táxi-aéreo authorisation
Authority: Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC) · Official source: ANAC Voe Seguro — consulta de táxi-aéreo · Checked 24 Oct 2026
- Licence, approval or notification requiredOperator certificateIN
A charter operator needs the authority's Non-Scheduled Operator Permit (NSOP). DGCA's published list of non-scheduled operator permit holders with their aircraft registrations and permit validity.
Documents: Non-Scheduled Operator Permit (NSOP)
Authority: Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) · Official source: DGCA list of non-scheduled operators · Checked 24 Oct 2026
- Licence, approval or notification requiredOperator certificateSG
A charter operator needs the authority's Air Operator Certificate (AOC). CAAS's approval-holder search includes Air Operator Certificates. CAAS's AOC page (last updated 8 May 2026) explains that Singapore operators need an AOC for commercial air transport.
Documents: Air Operator Certificate (AOC)
Authority: Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) · Official source: CAAS: Search approval holder (Air Operator Certificate) · Checked 24 Oct 2026
- Licence, approval or notification requiredOperator certificateAE
A charter operator needs the authority's Approval as a UAE air operator. Government open-data list of UAE air operators approved under GCAA standards. Confirm current status with the GCAA for a specific flight.
Documents: Approval as a UAE air operator
Authority: General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), via the UAE open-data portal · Official source: Bayanat: Approved UAE Air Operators · Checked 24 Oct 2026
- Licence, approval or notification requiredOperator certificateDO
A charter operator needs the authority's Certificado de Operador Aéreo (AOC). IDAC's page listing national air operators. The page does not show a review date, so confirm a specific operator's current certificate directly with IDAC.
Documents: Certificado de Operador Aéreo (AOC)
Authority: Instituto Dominicano de Aviación Civil (IDAC) · Official source: IDAC: Operadores aéreos · Checked 24 Oct 2026
- Licence, approval or notification requiredOperator certificateCR
A charter operator needs the authority's Certificado de Operador Aéreo (COA) / Certificado de Explotación. DGAC publishes the list of companies holding operating certificates and provisional permits (monthly files). The site can block automated visits; open it in a normal browser.
Documents: Certificado de Operador Aéreo (COA) / Certificado de Explotación
Authority: Dirección General de Aviación Civil (DGAC) · Official source: DGAC: Transporte aéreo — empresas con certificados de explotación · Checked 24 Oct 2026
- Licence, approval or notification requiredLanding permissionGB
UK CAA Safety Sense leaflet 17: unless in an emergency, you need the landowner's permission to take off or land; this also applies at private strips and aerodromes requiring prior permission (PPR).
Documents: Landowner permission; Prior permission (PPR) where the site requires it
Authority: UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) · Official source: Safety Sense 17: Helicopter airmanship · Checked 24 Oct 2026
- Licence, approval or notification requiredLanding permissionGB
UK CAA off-airfield operating site procedures: under the Rules of the Air Regulations 2015, taking off or landing within a congested area of a city, town or settlement needs permission.
Documents: CAA permission for congested-area take-off or landing, where it applies
Authority: UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) · Official source: Helicopter off-airfield operating site procedures · Checked 24 Oct 2026
- Licence, approval or notification requiredBorder crossing and customsGB
UK government: pilots or carriers of a general aviation aircraft intending to travel to or from the UK submit a General Aviation Report (GAR).
Documents: General Aviation Report (GAR)
Authority: UK Home Office / Border Force · Official source: General aviation operators and pilots: notification of flights · Checked 24 Oct 2026
- Individual review requiredAirspace and flight zonesGB
UK airspace rules and restrictions are published by the CAA and change; the operator checks the route and any restrictions for the date of flight.
Authority: UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) · Official source: CAA: Airspace · Checked 24 Oct 2026
- Restricted / conditions applyDangerous goodsGB
UK CAA dangerous goods guidance covers lithium battery rules, portable electronic devices, munitions and training requirements.
Documents: Declaration of any dangerous goods to the operator
Authority: UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) · Official source: CAA: Dangerous goods · Checked 24 Oct 2026
- Restricted / conditions applyAirspace and flight zonesUS
14 CFR 91.119: helicopters may fly below the fixed-wing minimum heights only if the operation is conducted without hazard to persons or property on the surface and follows any FAA-prescribed helicopter routes or altitudes. It does not give permission to use anyone's land.
Authority: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) · Official source: eCFR: 14 CFR 91.119 · Checked 24 Oct 2026
- Individual review requiredAirspace and flight zonesUS
The FAA publishes temporary flight restrictions (TFRs), for example around major events; the operator checks them for the date and route.
Authority: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) · Official source: FAA: Temporary flight restrictions · Checked 24 Oct 2026
- Restricted / conditions applyPilot responsibility and licensingUS
14 CFR 91.3: the pilot in command is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to, the operation of the aircraft, including the decision to fly.
Authority: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) · Official source: eCFR: 14 CFR 91.3 · Checked 24 Oct 2026
- Restricted / conditions applyBroker rulesUS
14 CFR Part 295 (US DOT): air charter brokers may only arrange charters operated by carriers holding the required economic and safety authority, and their advertising must state they are brokers, not the operator in control of the aircraft.
Authority: US Department of Transportation (DOT) · Official source: eCFR: 14 CFR Part 295 · Checked 24 Oct 2026
- Restricted / conditions applyDangerous goodsUS
FAA PackSafe explains which hazardous items passengers may carry and how (for example lithium batteries).
Documents: Declaration of any hazardous items to the operator
Authority: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) · Official source: FAA PackSafe · Checked 24 Oct 2026
- Licence, approval or notification requiredAerial work, photography, surveyEU
EASA: specialised operations (SPO) such as photography, surveying and aerial advertisement fall under Part-SPO of Regulation (EU) 965/2012. Commercial SPO starts with a declaration to the competent authority; high-risk commercial SPO also needs that authority's authorisation.
Documents: SPO declaration by the operator; High-risk SPO authorisation, where the authority classes the operation as high risk
Authority: EASA and the national competent authority · Official source: EASA: Specialised operations (SPO) · Checked 24 Oct 2026
- Restricted / conditions applyInsuranceEU
Regulation (EC) 785/2004 sets minimum insurance requirements for air carriers and aircraft operators, covering liability for passengers, baggage, cargo and third parties.
Documents: Operator's insurance certificate
Authority: European Union · Official source: EUR-Lex: Regulation (EC) No 785/2004 · Checked 24 Oct 2026
- Individual review requiredTraffic rightsEU
Regulation (EC) 1008/2008 sets common rules for operating air services in the EU, including air carrier licensing. Whether a particular operator, especially one from outside the EU, may fly a given route needs individual review.
Authority: European Union · Official source: EUR-Lex: Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 · Checked 24 Oct 2026
- Restricted / conditions applyDangerous goodsEU
EASA passenger guidance: lithium batteries, power banks, e-cigarettes and personal transportation devices have carriage limits; e-cigarettes and spare batteries go in cabin baggage only.
Documents: Declaration of any dangerous goods to the operator
Authority: EASA · Official source: EASA: Dangerous goods · Checked 24 Oct 2026
- Individual review requiredSanctions screeningInternational
The EU Sanctions Map shows EU restrictive measures in force, by country and regime.
Documents: Names of passengers and companies; Aircraft registration once proposed
Authority: European Union · Official source: EU Sanctions Map · Checked 24 Oct 2026
- Individual review requiredSanctions screeningInternational
The UK Sanctions List names people, entities and ships designated under UK sanctions.
Authority: UK government (FCDO) · Official source: The UK Sanctions List · Checked 24 Oct 2026
- Individual review requiredSanctions screeningInternational
OFAC's sanctions list search covers the US Specially Designated Nationals and other lists.
Authority: US Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) · Official source: OFAC Sanctions List Search · Checked 24 Oct 2026
- Individual review requiredSanctions screeningInternational
The UN Security Council Consolidated List includes individuals and entities subject to UN sanctions measures.
Authority: United Nations Security Council · Official source: UN Security Council Consolidated List · Checked 24 Oct 2026
Not yet sourced (individual review)
- Pilot responsibility and licensing: Pilot licensing outside the US rule above is not yet sourced in this registry; the operator's authority sets crew requirements.
- Border crossing and customs: Customs and immigration outside the UK GAR are not yet sourced; each country's border agency rules apply.
- Traffic rights: Traffic rights and permits for foreign operators outside the EU regulation are not yet sourced.
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Registry checked 24 Oct 2026. See also how to verify a charter operator and how to check landing permission.
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