Accident in Vauxhall brings to light a possible anomoly in helicopter flight rules

Battersea Heliport is sited on the Thames for a very good reason. It is that air navigation rules state that single engine aircraft (including helicopters) must follow the course of the river when flying into and out of London. This is for obvious safety reasons. If the engine cuts out there is a clear space on which to land.

But twin engine aircraft, having two power units, while being guided by air traffic control can operate over central London with relative impunity. They have that extra engine which allows them more control and options in emergency situations.

However I have a suspicion that these rules were formulated to apply to conventional fixed wing aircraft which, when equipped with twin engines, also have more than one complete propulsion unit; i.e. propellor systems.

A twin engined helicopter with one set of rotor blades (as in yesterday's accident) when it suffers damage to its blades (as in yesterday's accident) is effectively only a single engined aircraft when it comes to flight and emegency landings.