Helicopter landings & take offs

Applications are most commonly sought for flights for media companies to cover emerging emergencies or stories that will be of high interest to our state, or a major event in the city.

All applications received will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The application process may involve notification or consultation with sports license holders or the public.

The ideal location for helicopter landing is Victoria Park / Pakapakanthi (Park 16) as it has minimal impact to residents and users and is not regularly used for events or by sports licence holders.

If you are interested in using another park, please contact Council to determine whether there are any events or sports licence holders who use the area regularly. Where applicable, you will be instructed to contact licensees for their consent before a helicopter can land or take-off within their licenced area.

The City of Adelaide's Helicopter Landings Operating Guidelines detail the conditions and principles for helicopter landings in our Park Lands.

A maximum of six helicopter landings per year can be approved for any one company. The reason for this cap is to:

• maintain the primary use of the Park Lands and allow the community access
• minimise the level of disruptive noise for local residents
• protect the biodiversity and condition of the parklands overall.

The permit costs can be found in the City of Adelaide’s fees and charges schedule. 

A fee applies to each helicopter landing or take off and is based on the total area occupied during the activity.

Use our permit fee calculator to estimate your fees before applying.

Applying for a Helicopter take off and landing permit is done online. 

Before submitting your application you'll need to have the following handy:

• a certificate of currency of your Public Liability Insurance for a minimum of $20 million, noting City of Adelaide as an interested party
• a Traffic Management Plan/ Site Plan which details the location of the take off/ landing zone, spotters, distances and pedestrian management to ensure public safety at all times
• confirmation of consultation that has been undertaken with any affected parties around your take off/ landing zone.

As part of the application and approval process, licensees or booked users of any relevant Park Land will need to be consulted.

When operating under a permit to land or take off in the City of Adelaide, two-way communication with Adelaide Air Traffic Control must be established and maintained whilst on the ground. In addition, it is the responsibility of the permit holder to ensure they hold all appropriate approvals from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

Apply for a helicopter landing permit

If you need more information or would like to discuss your proposal, please contact us: