Pilot Operations Guide

The Heathrow Pilot Operations Guide (which is for both departures and arrivals) has been updated HERE.

Initial Climb

ALL DEPARTURES Climb to altitude 6000 feet on departure. Do not climb above altitude 6000 feet until instructed to do so.

First Contact after Departure

On initial contact with London Control (when airborne) report your departure, and your passing & cleared altitudes. 
e.g. "London Control, ABC123, BUZAD4J departure, passing altitude 3500 feet, climbing to altitude 6000 feet."

Gatwick Positioning Flights

Aircraft routing from London Heathrow (EGLL) to London Gatwick (EGKK) should file via the Midhurst (MID) departure. The MAY departure is not available for use.
Standard Route for EGLL-EGKK: MID DCT WILLO DCT

First Contact with Heathrow APP

On initial contact with Heathrow Director (EGLL_N_APP or EGLL_S_APP), report your cleared level, routing (ie. which VOR), aircraft type, and received ATIS information.
e.g. "Heathrow Director, ABC123, descending flight level 80 to Bovingdon, Airbus 3-2-0, information Golf."

RNAV Z Approaches

As of 20th August 2015 (AIRAC 1509), pilots are to now request and expect the renamed RNAV Z approaches.

[TRIAL] RNAV Y Approaches

As of 17th August 2015 until notified by NOTAM, RNAV Y trial approaches may be flown by pilots on request. Trial procedures are not implemented as standard procedure on the network.

Charts referenced are available HERE.

Inner Area / Permitted Aircraft

Only VFR / SVFR helicopters will be permitted to enter the Inner Area, as depicted in AD 2-EGLL-3-1. Fixed wing aircraft will not be permitted to enter this area at any time.

(Special) VFR Minima

VFR flights are permitted within the London Control Zone (CTR) provided that the Heathrow reported visibility is at least 5KM, and the reported cloud ceiling is 1500ft or greater. When these conditions do not exist, rotary aircraft will be cleared as Special VFR, provided that the visibility is at least 2KM and the cloud ceiling is 600ft or greater.

Further Procedure Details

Full procedures for rotary aircraft operations including transiting the airfield are available in AD 2-EGLL-1 (Textual Data) Section 2.20 Local Traffic Regulations, sub-section 5 'Helicopter Operations'.