obstruction hazard to either the tail rotor or the main rotor. Guidance on winter operations is found in AC
1505200-30, Airport Winter Safety and Operations. Exception: In cases where the FATO is much larger
than the minimum requirement, it may not be necessary to clear all of this additional area.
213.
VISUAL GLIDESLOPE INDICATORS. A
visual glideslope indicator VGI provides pilots with visual course and descent cues. The lowest on-course
visual signal must provide a minimum of 1 degree of clearance over any object that lies within 10
degrees of the approach course centerline.
a. The optimal location of a VGI is on the
extended centerline of the approach path at a distance that brings the helicopter to a hover between 3 and
8 feet 0.9 to 2.5
m above the TLOF. Figure 2-30
illustrates visual glideslope indicator clearance criteria.
b. Control of the VGI. There may be merit in
making operation of the VGI controllable from the approaching helicopter to ensure that it is “on” only
when required.
c. VGI Needed. At many heliports, a VGI is an
optional feature. However, the provision of a a VGI should be considered if one or more of he following
conditions exist, especially at night:
1 Obstacle clearance, noise abatement, or traffic control procedures require a particular slope
to be flown. 2
The environment of the heliport provides few visual surface cues.
d. Additional Guidance. AC 1505345-52,
Generic Visual Glideslope Indicators GVGI, and AC 1505345-28, Precision Approach Path Indicator
PAPI Systems, provide additional guidance. 214. TERMINAL FACILITIES. The heliport
terminal requires curbside access for passengers using private autos, taxicabs, and public transit
vehicles. Public waiting areas need the usual amenities and a counter for rental car services may be
desirable. Passenger auto parking areas should accommodate current requirements and have the
capability of being expanded to meet future requirements. Readily available public transportation
may reduce the requirement for employees and service personnel auto parking spaces. The heliport
terminal building or sheltered waiting area should be attractive and functional. AC 1505360-9, Planning
and Design of Airport Terminal Facilities at Non- Hub Locations, contains guidance on designing
terminal facilities. At PPR heliports, the number of people using the facility may be so small that there is
no need for a terminal building. In addition, the other facilities and amenities needed may be minimal.
215. ZONING AND COMPATIBLE LAND USE. Where state and local statutes permit, the GA heliport
sponsor is encouraged to promote the adoption of the following zoning measures to ensure that the heliport
will continue to be available and to protect the investment in the facility.
a. Zoning to Limit BuildingObject Heights.
General guidance on drafting an ordinance that would limit building and object heights is contained in AC
1505190-4, A Model Zoning Ordinance to Limit Height of Objects Around Airports. The ordinance
should substitute the heliport surfaces for the airport surfaces in the model ordinance.
b. Zoning for Compatible Land Use. A
zoning ordinance may be enacted, or an existing ordinance modified, to control the use of property
within the heliport approach departure path environment. The ordinance should restrict activities
to those that are compatible with helicopter operations.
Air Rights and Property Easements are options that may be used to prevent the encroachment of
obstacles in the vicinity of a heliport.
28
Table 2-1. Minimum VFR Safety Area Width as a Function of General Aviation and PPR Heliport Markings
TLOF perimeter marked: FATO perimeter marked:
Std. H marking: Yes
Yes Yes
Yes Yes
No No
Yes Yes
No Yes
No GA heliports:
13 RD but not less than
20 ft 6 m 13 RD but
not less than 30 ft 9 m
½ OL but not less than
20 ft 6 m ½ OL but
not less than 30 ft 9 m
PPR heliports: 13 RD but
not less than 10 ft 3 m
13 RD but not less than
20ft 6 m ½ OL but
not less than 20 ft 6 m
½ OL but not less than
30 ft 9 m OL: Overall length of the design helicopter
RD: Rotor diameter of the design helicopter
Also applies to PPR heliports when the FATO is NOT marked. The FATO should not be marked if a the FATO or part of the FATO is a non-load bearing surface and b the TLOF is elevated above the level
of a surrounding load bearing area.
29
Table 2-2. Taxiway Taxi Route Dimensions – General Aviation Heliports
Taxiway TW
Type
Centerline Marking
Type TW Edge
Marking Type
Minimum Width Of Paved Area
Lateral Separation Between TW Edge
Markings Tip Clearance
on each side Total Taxi Route Width
Ground Taxiway
Painted Painted 2 x UC 2 x UC
10 ft 3 m 1 RD plus 20ft 6 m
Ground Taxiway
Painted Elevated 2 x UC 1 RD but not greater
than 35 ft 10.7 m 15 ft 4.6 m 1 RD plus 30ft 9 m
Ground Taxiway
Flush Flush Unpaved but stabilized for ground taxi
2 x UC 10 ft 3 m 1 RD plus 20 ft 6 m
Ground Taxiway
Flush Elevated Unpaved but stabilized for ground taxi
1 RD but not greater than 35 ft 10.7 m
15 ft 4.6 m 1 RD plus 30ft 9 m
Ground Taxiway
None Elevated 2 x UC Paved or Unpaved but stabilized
for ground taxi 1 RD but not greater
than 35 ft 10.7 m 13 RD plus
10 ft 3 m RD 35 ft 10.7 m: 53 RD + 20ft 6 m
RD = 35 ft 10.7 m: 78.3” 23.9 m RD 35 ft 10.7 m: 23 RD + 55 ft 17 m
Hover Taxiway
Painted Painted or
flush 2 x UC
2 x UC 13 RD plus
10 ft 3 m RD 35 ft 10.7 m: 53 RD plus 20 ft 6 m
RD = 35 ft 10.7 m: 78.4” 23.9 m RD 35 ft 10.7 m: 23 RD plus 55 ft 17 m
Hover Taxiway
Flush Elevated Unpaved 1 RD but not greater
than 35 ft 10.7 m 13 RD plus
10 ft 3 m RD 35 ft 10.7 m: 53 RD plus 20 ft 6 m
RD = 35 ft 10.7 m: 78.3 ft 23.9 m RD 35 ft 10.7 m: 23 RD plus 55 ft 17 m
Hover Taxiway
None Elevated
Unpaved 1 RD but not greater
than 35 ft 10.7 m 13 RD plus
20 ft 6 m RD 35ft 10.7 m: 53 RD plus 40 ft 12 m
RD = 35ft 10.7 m: 98.4 ft 30 m RD 35 ft 10.7 m: 23 RD plus 75 ft 23 m
RD: rotor diameter of the design helicopter TW: taxiway
UC: undercarriage length or width whichever is greater of the design helicopter.
30
Figure 2-1. Essential Features of a General Aviation Heliport:
GENERAL AVIATION
31
A – Minimum TLOF Width: 1.0 RD B – Minimum TLOF Length: 1.0 RD
C – Minimum FATO Width: 1.5 OL D – Minimum FATO Length: 1.5 OL. See paragraph 202b2 for adjustments for elevation above 1000ft.
E – Minimum separation between the perimeters of the TLOF and the FATO: [0.5 1.5 OL – 1.0 RD] F – Minimum Safety Area Width: See Table 2-1
RD: Rotor diameter of the design helicopter OL: Overall length of the design helicopter
Figure 2-2. TLOFFATOSafety Area Relationships and Minimum Dimensions: GENERAL AVIATION
32
A – Minimum TLOF Width: 1.0 RD B – Minimum TLOF Length: 1.0 RD
C – Minimum FATO Width: 1.5 OL E – Minimum Separation between the perimeters of the TLOF and the FATO: [0.51.5 OL - 1.0 RD]
F – Minimum Safety Area Width: See Table 2-1
RD: Rotor diameter of the design helicopter OL: Overall length of the design helicopter
Figure 2-3. An Elongated FATO with Two Takeoff Positions: GENERAL AVIATION
33
Caution Helicopter Personnel Only
Authorized Landing Area
Post at personnel entrance Beacon
Heliport EX
IT FATO Limits
Flush Lights
Raised TLOF E
X IT
FATO
5 Foot 1.5 m Safety Net
Lighted Windsock FATO Limits
R A
M P
Safety Area
NOTE: See Figure 2-24, Elevated TLOF Perimeter Lighting, for more detailed view of the safety net and lighting.
Figure 2-4. Elevated Heliport: GENERAL AVIATION
34
300
200
100
1 2
3 4
5 6
90
60
30 Ad
dition to
FATO Le
ngt h in
f e
e t
Add ition to FATO Len
gth in me
te rs
Site Elevation in thousands of feet Example: 80 Feet is Added to the Basic FATO Length
For a Site Elevation of 3,200 Feet.
Figure 2-5. Additional FATO Length for Heliports at Higher Elevations: GENERAL AVIATION
Figure 2-6. Non-load-bearing FATO and Safety Area: GENERAL AVIATION
35
Figure 2-7. VFR Heliport Approach Departure and Transitional Surfaces: GENERAL AVIATION
36
FATO
FATO 8:1 Appro
achDepa rture Sur
face 8:1 ApproachDeparture Surface
Penetrations of A OR B area but not both areas allowed if marked or lighted and if not considered a hazard
Figure 2-8. VFR PPR Heliport Lateral Extension of the 8:1 Approach Departure Surface: GENERAL AVIATION
37
FATO
8:1 Appr oachDep
arture Su rface
2:1 Transitional Surface
FATO
Protection Zone 280 ft [85 m]
At Ground Level 8:1 ApproachDeparture Surface
2:1 Transitional Surface
2:1 Transitional Surface 2:1 Transitional
Surface Safety Area
TLOF
Figure 2-9. Protection Zone: GENERAL AVIATION
38
NOTE: See Table 2-2 for TaxiwayTaxi Route Dimensions
Figure 2-10. TaxiwayTaxi Route Relationship - Paved Taxiway: GENERAL AVIATION
39
NOTE: See Table 2-2 for TaxiwayTaxi Route Dimensions
Figure 2-11. TaxiwayTaxi Route Relationship - Unpaved Taxiway with Raised Edge Markers:
GENERAL AVIATION
40
NOTE: See Table 2-2 for TaxiwayTaxi Route Dimensions
Figure 2-12. TaxiwayTaxi Route Relationship - Unpaved Taxiway with Flush Edge Markers:
GENERAL AVIATION
41
Figure 2-13. Raised Taxiway Edge Marker: GENERAL AVIATION
42
Taxi Route Width ApproachDeparture Surface
Solid Parking Position Centerline
See Note 3 13 RD
Arc Generated by the Tail Rotor
1 RD Circle Painted FATO Edge Marking
ApproachDeparture Surface
FATO Safety Area
Painted TLOF Edge Marking
Dashed Extended Parking Position Centerline
See Figure 2-17
NOTES:
1. For simplicity, some markings have not been shown on this figure such as parking position identifier, passenger walkway, and rotor diameter of the largest helicopter that the FATOTLOF or the parking
position is designed to accommodate. 2. The design of these parking positions is based on the presumption that the helicopter may pivot about the
mast prior to exiting the parking position. 3. The minimum recommended clearance between the arcs generated by the tail rotor:
Hover taxi operations: 13 RD Ground taxi operations: 10 ft 3 m
Figure 2-14. Parking Area Design - “Turn-around” Parking Positions: GENERAL AVIATION
43
ApproachDeparture Surface Painted TLOF Edge Marking
Safety Area FATO
ApproachDeparture Surface Painted FATO Edge Marking
See Note 3 Taxi Route Width
NOTES:
1. For simplicity, some markings have not been shown on this figure such as parking position identifier, passenger walkway, and rotor diameter of the largest helicopter that the FATOTLOF or
the parking position is designed to accommodate. 2. The minimum recommended clearance between parking positions:
Hover taxi operations: 13 RD Ground taxi operations: 10 ft 3 m
Figure 2-15. Parking Area Design - “Taxi-through” Parking Positions: GENERAL AVIATION
44
S e
e F ig
u re 2-17
See Note 3 12 RD
NOTES:
1. For simplicity, some markings have not been shown on this figure such as parking position identifier, passenger walkway, and rotor diameter of the largest helicopter that the FATOTLOF or the parking
position is designed to accommodate. 2. The design of these parking positions is based on the presumption that the helicopter may pivot about the
mast prior to exiting the parking position. 3. The minimum recommended clearance between the arcs generated by the tail rotor:
Hover taxi operations: 12 RD Ground taxi operations: 10 ft 3 m
Figure 2-16. Parking Area Design - “Back-out” Parking Positions: GENERAL AVIATION
45
P a
ss en
ge r Wal
k w
a y
Position Centerline Dashed Extended Parking
Fire Extinguisher
Extinguisher Fire
Dashed Extended Parking Position Centerline
d e
t a
r e
n e
G c
r A
r o
t o
R l
i a
T y
b b
y T
a i
l R
o t
o r
A r
c G
e n
e r
a t
e d
C
Letter or Number
Largest Rotor Diameter the Parking Position Will Accommodate
Parking Position Identifier e
l c
r i
C g
n i
k r
a P
D R
1 Security Fence
Caution Sign at Gate Caution Sign at Gate
Securi ty Fe
n c
e
Minimum Recommended Clearance Between the Arcs Generated by the Tail Rotor, Objects and Buildings:
Hover Taxi Operations: 13 RD but not less then 10 ft [3.05 m] Ground Taxi Operations: 10 ft 3.05 m
NOTE : The design of this parking position is on the understanding that the helicopter may pivot about the mast prior to exiting the
parking Position. P
a ss
en ge
r Wal k
w a
y
Parking Position Identifier
Position Will Accommodate Largest Rotor Diameter the Parking
Letter or Number
B
1 R
D P
a r
k i
n g
C i
r c l e
Figure 2-17. Parking Position Marking: GENERAL AVIATION
46
Figure 2-18. Parking Position Identification, Size and Weight Limitations: GENERAL AVIATION
47
NOTES:
1. The perimeter of the TLOF andor the FATO should be marked. 2. Paved or hard surfaced TLOF perimeters should be defined with a continuous, 12-inch-wide
30 cm, white line 3. The perimeter of a paved FATO should be defined with a 12-inch-wide 30 cm dashed white line
See detail A. 4. Rotor diameter and weight limitation markings are not shown for simplicity.
5. See Figure 2-22 for the dimensions of the H.
