| Heliport Design: The following information is
for the preliminary planning of a public use, general aviation heliport
only. FAA recommendations and standards for heliport design are found in
FAA Advisory Circular 150/5390-2A, from which these suggestions are taken.
The heliport should include at least one touchdown and lift-off area
(TLOF) centered in a final approach and takeoff area (FATO), a
peripheral safety area and two or more approach and departure paths. The
TLOF must be at least as long and wide as the rotor diameter of the
largest helicopter to use the heliport. The FATO must be at least 1.5
times the overall length of the helicopter. The width of the safety area
must be at least 0.33 times the rotor diameter, but not less than 20
feet (6 m). At least two approach/departure paths, with one aligned in
the direction of the predominant wind, are required.
Lighting:
For night operations a minimum lighting system should include a
peripherally lighted TLOF or FATO (not both), a lighted wind indicator
and a heliport identifi-cation beacon. Other useful visual aids include
landing direction lights, floodlights, taxiway lights and a heliport
approach path indicator (CHAPI). Obstruction lights must be installed
where required. The recommended CHAPI power system is single phase
120/240 volts for VFR and 6.6 ampere series circuits for IFR.
FATO and TLOF Lights. A minimum of four flush or raised light
fixtures is recommended per side of a rectangular FATO or TLOF. A light
is located at each corner with additional lights uniformly spaced
between the corner lights with a maximum interval of 25 feet (7.5 m)
between lights. Lamps are 40 watt, 120 volt or 45 watt, 6.6 ampere
bulbs.
Lighted Wind Indicator. An FAA L807 Size 1 (about 22 ft overall height
with an 8 ft, international orange windsock) is recom-mended, or the L806
(10 ft tall) may be substituted. The L807 has a hinged pole and a rigid
base, the L806 has a frangible base. Both use four 120 watt, 120 volt
PAR38 lamps to illuminate the windsock and a 116 watt lamp for the
obstruction light. The L807 must be outside the safety zone and away from
flight paths.
Heliport Identification Beacon. Located within 1/4 mi of the heliport,
three 500 watt sealed beam lights rotate at 10 to 15 rpm to produce 30 to
45 fpm in white, green and yellow. Not required on lighted airports. Flash
Technology beacon using Morse code signals is also available.
Landing Direction Lights. To identify alignment of the approach route, a
line of five L860 or L861 lights with omnidirectional yellow lenses are
spaced at 15 ft (4.5 m) intervals.
Floodlights. Mounted on buildings or poles, elevated floodlights should
illuminate all of the operational area and should be hooded to prevent
upward glare that would hinder the vision of approaching pilots.
Taxiway Lights. Taxiway center lines are defined with semi-flush L852A
and L852B bi-directional or unidirectional green lights spaced at 50 feet
(15 m) intervals. Blue lights set at the same intervals are used to define
the edges of an unpaved taxi route.
Obstruction Lights. Objects exceeding a height of 200 feet (61 m) above
the ground and within one nautical mile of the airport shall be marked
with a red FAA approved obstruction light. Review Flight Light’s
Obstruction Light Brochure for requirements. Contact the local FAA office
with additional questions.
Visual Glide Path Indicator. The heliport approach path indicator
(CHAPI) provides pilots with visual course and descent cues. The optimum
location of a CHAPI is on the extended center line of the approach path at
a distance that brings the helicopter to a hover 3 to 8 feet (0.9 to 2.5
m) above the TLOF center.
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