---
title: "SPO.POL.146 Performance and operating criteria – helicopters — Part-SPO · Avioverse"
description: "The pilot-in-command may operate an aircraft over congested areas provided that:"
url: "https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/air-ops/part-spo/subpart-c/spo-pol-146"
---

# SPO.POL.146 Performance and operating criteria – helicopters

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

IR Implementing rule

## SPO.POL.146 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 and the operation and its SOP is authorised.

(b) The operator shall:

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

(2) establish a training programme for crew members; and

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

(c) The operator 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 · SPO.POL.146 — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · Regulation (EU) No 379/2014 · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

AMC Acceptable means of compliance

## AMC1 SPO.POL.146(c) Performance and operating criteria – helicopters

MAXIMUM SPECIFIED MASSES

(a) The operator should establish a procedure to determine maximum specified masses for HIGE and HOGE before each flight or series of flights.

(b) This procedure should take into account ambient temperature at the aerodrome or [operating site](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/operating-site), pressure altitude and wind conditions data available.

AMC · AMC1 SPO.POL.146(c) — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · ED Decision 2014/018/R · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

GM Guidance material

## GM1 SPO.POL.146(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 in mountainous areas and including downdraft) 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 SPO.POL.146(c) — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · ED Decision 2014/018/R · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

[All rules in SUBPART C: AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE AND OPERATING LIMITATIONS](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/air-ops/part-spo/subpart-c)

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.