REPORT FROM CHILE
Working Together for Vertical Aviation
By Loreto Moraga R
ECENT REGULATORY ACTIONS in Chile and the United States reflect common challenges facing the verti- cal aviation community worldwide. But
two experiences over the past year involving the Chilean Helicopter Association (ACHHEL) illustrate how international cooperation between industry members can thwart threats to aerial operations. These two cases demonstrate ACHHEL’s
commitment to shaping national and international aeronautical regulations as we promote effective collaboration between vertical aviation stakehold- ers, open new markets, and create regulations that align with current operational needs and limitations.
Patagonia Airspace Restrictions In the first case, ACHHEL earlier this year became aware of a draft management plan for the Kawésqar National Reserve (RNK) that had been under development since 2019. The RNK includes Chilean maritime territory adjacent to Kawésqar National Park, located in the provinces of Última Esperanza and Magallanes, in the Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica Region. This reserve, part of a broader network of protected areas in Patagonia, is crucial for biological and cultural conservation. After reviewing the draft plan, ACHHEL iden-
tified a significant issue concerning aerial opera- tions: the plan eliminated aircraft use for tourism, permitting flights only for scientific, filming, or forestry-related activities. These restrictions applied to all aircraft, including drones.
ACHHEL proposed several key revisions to the
plan. First, we recommended updating the technical definitions for both manned and unmanned aircraft. The imprecise wording of the definitions as they are currently written makes the plan misleading, result- ing in confusion that could lead to problems for the forestry authority and for communities in the future. Second, we suggested shifting the focus from
regulating the types of aerial activities to regulating the types of aircraft permitted in the reserve. This approach prevents contradictions, such as choos- ing aircraft with a bigger environmental footprint to perform conservation work. Regulations, we argued, should focus on the environmental impact of the aircraft, not their activities or missions. Finally, we recommended that aircraft restric-
tions in protected areas be based on measurable criteria, such as emissions and sound levels. Limits on landings, takeoffs (except for unmanned aircraft systems, or UASs), and operations during bird migration should also be included. We will submit these suggestions to the appropriate authorities and local communities.
Advocating for Open Skies A second development in the past year highlights the value of cooperation in the vertical aviation industry, where ACHHEL is active in advocating for regulatory improvements both internationally and domestically. For the past 45 years, Chile has pursued an “Open Skies” policy, deregulating air transport to open international markets and reduce
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