---
title: "NCO.SPEC.175 Performance and operating criteria – helicopters — Part-NCO · Avioverse"
description: "The pilot-in-command may operate an aircraft over congested areas provided that:"
url: "https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/air-ops/part-nco/subpart-e/nco-spec-175"
---

# NCO.SPEC.175 Performance and operating criteria – helicopters

ANNEX VII (Part-NCO) · Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

IR Implementing rule

## NCO.SPEC.175 Performance and operating criteria – helicopters

(a) The pilot-in-command may operate an [aircraft](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aircraft) over congested areas provided that:

(1) the [helicopter](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/helicopter) is certified in category A or B; and

(2) safety measures are established to prevent undue hazard to persons or property on the ground

(b) The pilot-in-command shall have:

(1) established operational procedures to minimise the consequences of an engine failure; and

(2) briefed all crew members and task specialists on board on the procedures to be carried out in the event of a forced landing.

(c) The pilot-in-command shall ensure that the mass at take-off, landing or hover shall not exceed the maximum mass specified for:

(1) a hover out of ground effect (HOGE) with all engines operating at the appropriate power rating; or

(2) if conditions prevail that a HOGE is not likely to be established, the helicopter mass shall not exceed the maximum mass specified for a hover in ground effect (HIGE) with all engines operating at the appropriate power rating, provided prevailing conditions allow a hover in ground effect at the maximum specified mass.

IR · NCO.SPEC.175 — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · Regulation (EU) No 379/2014 · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

GM Guidance material

## GM1 NCO.SPEC.175(c) Performance and operating criteria – helicopters

GENERAL

(a) Even when the surface allows a hover in ground effect (HIGE), the likelihood of, for example, dust or blowing snow may necessitate hover out of ground effect (HOGE) performance.

(b) Wind conditions on some sites, particularly downdraft in mountainous areas, may require a reduction in the [helicopter](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/helicopter) mass in order to ensure that an out of ground effect hover can be achieved at the operational site in the conditions prevailing.

GM · GM1 NCO.SPEC.175(c) — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · ED Decision 2014/016/R · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

[All rules in SUBPART E: SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/air-ops/part-nco/subpart-e)

Consolidated from the EASA Easy Access Rules (revision 27 Mar 2026, extracted 13 Oct 2026) for convenience. Not the official publication — verify against the Official Journal of the European Union and the EASA publications before operational use.