PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS

Piccio Garden, Villamor Air Base, Pasay City

INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
AERO-AT DEPARTMENT

AT 222
AIRPORT AND AIRWAYS

Final Term Research: Factors in Heliport Selection

Anzano, John Karlo B.

Azucena, Justin Freud

Bisco, Rhunnel Johnson D.

Canovas, Alyssa Margeoux V.

Marina, Hanse Andrei M.

BSAT 2-2

As members of the academic community, the students are expected to recognize and
uphold standard of intellectual and academic integrity. The state college assumes that as a
basic and minimum standard of conduct in academic matters, the students should be
honest and that they submit for the credit the products only of their own efforts.
 Introduction

This research discusses about several factors and standards required when
selecting a heliport site based on different purposes. In general, the FAA encourages public
agencies and others planning to develop a heliport to consider the possible future need for
instrument operations and expansion. The property needed for a general aviation heliport
depends upon the volume and types of users, size of helicopters, and the scope of
amenities must also be provided. Another factor are electromagnetic devices, such as a
large ventilator motor, elevator motor or other devices that consume large amounts of
electricity that may cause temporary aberrations in the helicopter magnetic compass and
interfere with other onboard navigational equipment. Lastly, Air flow around the buildings
and terrains should be assessed to determine the turbulence on ground-level and roof-top
heliports that may affect helicopter operations. There are three types of heliport: General
Aviation Heliport, Transport Heliport, and Hospital Heliport. Each has its wide range of sizes
and complexity to be further discussed by this research.

GENERAL AVIATION HELIPORT

 Figure 1. Essential Features of a Heliport: General Aviation

A general aviation heliport accommodates helicopters used by individuals,

corporations, and helicopter air taxi services. While general aviation heliports may be
publicly owned, this is not required. Most general aviation heliports are privately owned.
General Aviation Heliport comes in with wide range of sizes and figure based on the factors
that are stated below:

Touchdown and Liftoff Area

TLOFs of general aviation heliports are at ground level, on elevated structures, and
at rooftop level located within the center of the FATO. The TLOF requires minimum
dimension at least equal to the RD of the design helicopter. The design could either be
rectangular or circular each having its advantage. . A square or rectangular shape provides
the pilot with better alignment cues than a circular shape, but a circular TLOF may be more
recognizable in an urban environment. Increasing the LBA centered on the TLOF may
provide some safety and operational advantages. At PPR facilities, if only a portion of the
TLOF is paved, design the TLOF so the minimum length and width of this paved portion is
not less than two times the maximum dimension (length or width) of the undercarriage of
the design helicopter. Locate the center of the TLOF in the center of this paved portion. To
avoid the risk of catching a skid and the potential for a dynamic rollover, make sure there is
no difference in elevation between the paved and unpaved portions of the TLOF.

Final Approach and Takeoff Area (FATO)

 A general aviation heliport has at least one FATO. The FATO contains a TLOF within
its borders at which arriving helicopters terminate their approach and from which departing
helicopters take off. The size of FATO should be at least 1.5 times the overall length of the
design helicopter. The FATO are designed to be circular or rectangular, regardless of the
shape of the TLOF. At elevations above 1,000 feet MSL, a longer, rectangular FATO
provides an increased safety margin and greater operational flexibility.

Safety Area

A safety area surrounds a FATO. The standards for the size of the safety area
should be the same on all sides. The provision or absence of standard heliport markings
affects the width standards. As an option, the safety area extends into clear airspace. The
surface of the safety area need not be load bearing. More importantly the safety area must
be clear from flammable materials and flying debris.

VFR Approach/Departure paths.

The purpose of approach/departure airspace is to provide sufficient airspace clear of

hazards to allow safe approaches to and departures from the TLOF. The design must be
align to the preferred approach/departure paths with the predominant wind direction to
avoid downwind operations and minimize crosswind operations.

Wind Cone

It is located where it can provide the pilot with valid wind direction and speed
information in the vicinity of the heliport under all wind conditions. The wind cone is placed
so a pilot on the approach path can see it clearly when the helicopter is 500 feet (150 m)
from the TLOF. To avoid presenting an obstruction hazard, wind cone(s) are located
outside the safety area, and so it does not penetrate the approach/departure or transitional
surfaces.

Helicopter Parking

The size of this area depends on the number and size of specific helicopters to be
accommodated. It is not necessary that every parking position accommodate the design
helicopter. It is built for individual parking positions to accommodate the helicopter size and
weights expected to use the parking position at the facility. It is located away from aircraft
parking areas under an approach/departure surface.

Helicopter Markers and Markings

 Markers and/or surface markings identify the facility as a heliport. Paint or preformed
materials are used for surface markings. The outline lines/markings with a 6-inch wide line
are painted with contrasting color to enhance conspicuity. The markings are placed define
the edges of a TLOF, FATO, taxiway or apron within the limits of those areas.

Heliport Lightings

At least three uniformly spaced lights are recommended per side of a square or
rectangular FATO or TLOF with a light located at each corner. A minimum of eight lights is
needed to define a circular FATO. Flush lights may be located on, or within 1 foot (30 cm)
of, the FATO edge. A minimum of eight lights is needed to define a circular FATO or TLOF.
The interval between lights should not exceed 25 feet (7.5 m). Raised light fixtures,
modified to be no more than 8 inches (20 cm) in height, should be located 10 feet (3 m) out
from the edge of the FATO. Flush lights may be located on or within 1 foot (30 cm) of the
TLOF edge. Raised light fixtures, modified to be no more than 8 inches (20 cm) in height,
may be located 10 feet (3 m) out from the TLOF edge and should not penetrate a horizontal
plane at the TLOF's elevation by more than 2 inches (5 cm). Flush lights should be within 1
foot (30 cm) of the edge of a raised TLOF. Raised fixtures should be within 1 foot (30 cm) of
the TLOF edge and should not project more than 2 inches (5 cm) above the TOLF.
Floodlights should be aimed down so as not to interfere with pilot vision and provide a
minimum of 3-foot candles (32 lux) of illumination over the FATO or TLOF surfaces.
Floodlights which might interfere with pilot vision during takeoff and landings must be
capable of being turned off during landings and takeoffs.
 TRANSPORT HELIPORTS

Figure 2. Typical Transport Heliport: Transport

A transport heliport is intended to accommodate air carrier operators providing

scheduled service, or unscheduled service with large helicopters.

Touchdown and Liftoff Area

The TLOF of a transport heliport is normally at ground level but may be developed
with the TLOF located on a pier or, when carefully planned, on the roof of a building. The
TLOF is a square or rectangular surface whose minimum length and width is the rotor
diameter of the design helicopter but not less than 50 feet . There are ground-level TLOF
and elevated TLOF for Transport Heliports.

Final Approach and Takeoff Area (FATO)

A transport heliport has at least one FATO. The FATO contains a TLOF within its
borders at which arriving helicopters terminate their approach, and from which departing
helicopters take off. The size of FATO should be at least 2.0 times the overall length of the
design helicopter.
Safety Area

A safety area surrounds a FATO. The standards for the size of the safety area
should be the same on all sides. The safety area need not be load bearing. Safety area
should be cleared of fixed objects except for lighting fixtures.

VFR Approach/Departure paths.

The purpose of approach/departure airspace is to provide sufficient airspace clear of

hazards to allow safe approaches to and departures from the TLOF. The design must be
aligned to the preferred approach/departure paths with the predominant wind direction to
avoid downwind operations and minimize crosswind operations.

Wind Cone

It is located where it can provide the pilot with valid wind direction and speed
information in the vicinity of the heliport under all wind conditions. The wind cone is placed
so a pilot on the approach path can see it clearly when the helicopter is 500 feet (150 m)
from the TLOF. To avoid presenting an obstruction hazard, wind cone(s) are located
outside the safety area, and so it does not penetrate the approach/departure or transitional
surfaces.

Helicopter Parking

The size of this area depends on the number and size of specific helicopters to be
accommodated. It is not necessary that every parking position accommodate the design
helicopter. It is built for individual parking positions to accommodate the helicopter size and
weights expected to use the parking position at the facility. It is located away from aircraft
parking areas under an approach/departure surface.

Helicopter Markers and Markings

Markers and/or surface markings identify the facility as a heliport. Paint or preformed
materials are used for surface markings. The outline lines/markings with a 6-inch wide line
are painted with contrasting color to enhance conspicuity. The markings are placed define
the edges of a TLOF, FATO, taxiway or apron within the limits of those areas.

Heliport Lightings
 For night operations, the heliport must be lit with FATO and/or TLOF perimeter lights.
A minimum of four light fixtures per side of the TLOF for perimeter lights. A line of 7 green
lights used as optional TLOF lights to provide close-in directional guidance.

HOSPITAL HELIPORTS

Figure 2. Essential Features of a Ground-level Hospital Heliport: Hospital

A hospital heliport accommodates helicopters used by Emergency Medical Services.

In some emergencies, a hospital heliport may accommodate large military helicopters.

Touchdown and Liftoff Area

The TLOF of a transport heliport is normally at ground level but may be developed
with the TLOF located on a pier or, when carefully planned, on the roof of a building. The
TLOF is a square or rectangular surface whose minimum length and width is the rotor
diameter of the design helicopter but not less than 40 feet . There are ground-level TLOF
and elevated TLOF for Transport Heliports.
Final Approach and Takeoff Area (FATO)

A transport heliport has at least one FATO. The FATO contains a TLOF within its
borders at which arriving helicopters terminate their approach, and from which departing
helicopters take off. The size of FATO should be at least 1.5 times the overall length of the
design helicopter.

Safety Area

A safety area surrounds a FATO. The standards for the size of the safety area
should be the same on all sides. The safety area need not be load bearing. Safety area
should be cleared of fixed objects except for lighting fixtures.

VFR Approach/Departure paths.

The purpose of approach/departure airspace is to provide sufficient airspace clear of

hazards to allow safe approaches to and departures from the TLOF. The design must be
aligned to the preferred approach/departure paths with the predominant wind direction to
avoid downwind operations and minimize crosswind operations. At hospital heliports, an
alternative to considering transitional surfaces is to increase the size of the 8:1
approach/departure surface for a distance of 2,000 feet.

Wind Cone

It is located where it can provide the pilot with valid wind direction and speed
information in the vicinity of the heliport under all wind conditions. The wind cone is placed
so a pilot on the approach path can see it clearly when the helicopter is 500 feet (150 m)
from the TLOF. To avoid presenting an obstruction hazard, wind cone(s) are located
outside the safety area, and so it does not penetrate the approach/departure or transitional
surfaces.

Helicopter Parking
 The size of this area depends on the number and size of specific helicopters to be
accommodated. It is not necessary that every parking position accommodate the design
helicopter. It is built for individual parking positions to accommodate the helicopter size and
weights expected to use the parking position at the facility. It is located away from aircraft
parking areas under an approach/departure surface.

Helicopter Markers and Markings

Markers and/or surface markings identify the facility as a heliport. Paint or preformed
materials are used for surface markings. The outline lines/markings with a 6-inch wide line
are painted with contrasting color to enhance conspicuity. The markings are placed define
the edges of a TLOF, FATO, taxiway or apron within the limits of those areas. An
alternative to the standard marking, a red “H” with a white 6-inch (15 cm) wide border within
a red cross with a 12 inch (30 cm) wide white border is used and a surrounding red TLOF.

Heliport Lightings

In order to support night operations, the FATO and/or TLOF must be equipped with
perimeter lights. A minimum of three green flush lights are used for TLOF perimeter lights
per side of the square. Green lights are also used to define the load-bearing surface of the
FATO. Landing direction lights are a configuration of five green omnidirectional lights. Flight
path alignment lights are also present in a straight line.