Helicopter Operating Rules

Helicopters get a handful of operationally important Part 91 exceptions that fixed-wing pilots don't. The PPL standard is knowing each one with the citation: minimum altitudes (§ 91.119), traffic patterns (§ 91.126), fuel reserves (§ 91.151), right of way (§ 91.113). Reference: FAA-H-8083-21B Helicopter Flying Handbook.

§ 91.119 — Minimum safe altitudes

Standard fixed-wing minimums:

Anywhere: Altitude allowing emergency landing without undue hazard if power lost.
Over congested areas (cities, towns, settlements, open-air assemblies): 1,000 ft above the highest obstacle within 2,000 ft horizontal.
Over other than congested areas: 500 ft above surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas — 500 ft from any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.

Helicopter exception (§ 91.119(d)): Helicopters, powered parachutes, and weight-shift-control aircraft may operate at less than the above minimums if:

The operation is conducted without hazard to persons or property on the surface, AND
The pilot complies with any FAA-prescribed routes or altitudes for helicopters, OR is operating to/from a heliport authorized by the FAA Administrator.

This is the legal basis for low-altitude EMS, ENG (news), tour, and utility operations. It is not a license to buzz the neighborhood — "without hazard to persons or property" is a real bar.

§ 91.126 — Traffic patterns at uncontrolled airports

At uncontrolled airports, fixed-wing pilots make all turns to the left unless visual indicators (e.g., a segmented circle with traffic-pattern indicators) show right-traffic.
§ 91.126(b)(2): "Each pilot of a helicopter or a powered parachute must avoid the flow of fixed-wing aircraft."
Practical application: helicopter pilots fly a separate (often opposite-direction or lower) pattern, or land on a designated taxiway, or approach directly to a heliport spot — all to keep the fixed-wing flow clean.
At controlled airports, comply with tower instructions per § 91.129 (Class D ops).

The same principle applies in Class C (§ 91.130) and Class B (§ 91.131) — controllers expect helicopter ops to deconflict from fixed-wing flow.

§ 91.151 — VFR fuel reserves

Fixed-wing day VFR: Fuel to fly to first intended landing + 30 minutes at normal cruise.
Fixed-wing night VFR: Fuel to fly to first intended landing + 45 minutes at normal cruise.
Helicopter VFR (day or night): Fuel to fly to first intended landing + 20 minutes at normal cruise.

The helicopter reserve is the same day or night because helicopter mission profiles often involve short legs and remote landing zones — the rule reflects operational reality. But 20 minutes is minimum legal, not "the right amount." Most operators specify a higher company minimum (often 30 minutes day / 45 night).

For IFR fuel reserves see § 91.167: destination + alternate (if required) + 45 minutes.

§ 91.113 — Right of way

The general rules (in order from most to least right of way):

Aircraft in distress — has right of way over all others.
Less maneuverable over more maneuverable: balloons → gliders & airships → aircraft towing/refueling → airplanes/helicopters/etc.
Converging at the same altitude: if the same category, the aircraft on the right has right of way.
Approaching head-on: both alter course to the right.
Overtaking: overtaken aircraft has right of way; pass on the right.
Landing: aircraft on final approach has right of way over those in flight; lower altitude on final has right of way over higher (but no cutting in front).

Helicopters are generally more maneuverable than fixed-wing — meaning fixed-wing has right of way in same-category convergence cases. Plan for this in pattern operations and en route.

Other helicopter-relevant § 91 cites

§ 91.103 — Preflight action: weather, fuel, alternates, runway lengths, takeoff/landing distance data.
§ 91.105 — Flight crewmember at station: required during takeoff/landing and en route except for specific reasons.
§ 91.107 — Use of safety belts & harnesses.
§ 91.111 — Operating near other aircraft: 500 ft formation rule.
§ 91.117 — Aircraft speed: 250 KIAS < 10,000 MSL; 200 KIAS in Class B/C/D area, under Class B shelves, in VFR corridor.
§ 91.159 — VFR cruising altitudes: above 3,000 AGL, hemispherical rule (eastbound odd+500, westbound even+500).
§ 91.183 — IFR position reporting (when not radar-contacted).