3.1 This chapter details the design requirements for land-based heliports used solely for rotary wing operations. Such heliports do not form part of a larger aerodrome that is primarily used by fixed wing aircraft. For the design requirements for integrating rotary wing operations into these fixed-wing aerodromes, refer to Chapter 2 of this section.
3.2 Land-based heliports range from a single-spot Helicopter Landing Site (HLS), with a suitable Final Approach and Take-Off Area (FATO), through to large rotary wing aerodromes with multiple integrated FATOs, extensive aprons and several helicopter runways and air/ground taxiways. The intent of this chapter is to provide design requirements for all types of heliports, in a form that is scalable depending on the capability requirement.
3.3 The primary design standard for land-based heliports is the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Annex 14 Aerodromes Volume II Heliports Edition 5. Where necessary, this standard is supplemented or replaced by other requirements, such as those detailed in US Department of Defense Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) 3-260-01 Airfield and Heliport Planning and Design.
3.4 For some design elements, ICAO Annex 14 Volume II Edition 5 makes reference to relevant sections of ICAO Annex 14 Volume I. Where such references are made, they have sometimes been replaced by reference to the requirements for land based aerodromes, previously detailed in Chapter 2 of this section.
3.5 The DASA should be consulted to resolve any ambiguity, or if further clarification is required in implementing these requirements.
3.6 The land-based heliport design requirements and the associated variations and supplementations defined by the Authority for each of the identified design elements detailed in Chapter 1 annex A of this section, are described below.
3.7 The number, location and required functionality of movement facilities11 to be included on a Defence heliport are capability decisions to be made in accordance with Defence’s capability planning processes. For example, the number of required FATOs, whether they are runway-type or spot-type, and their required capability, depends on their intended use. Different FATOs may be required for regular operations, test/maintenance check flights, for the hook-up of external lift/underslung loads, SAR/crash response and other activities.
3.8 Design requirement. Having made these capability decisions, the design of the physical characteristics of these movement facilities must comply with the relevant requirements of ICAO Annex 14, Volume II, Edition 5, Section 3.1 Onshore Heliports, except for the following:
Final Approach and Take-Off Areas. For paragraph 3.1.3, where a FATO is to be located on a runway, the ‘rotary-wing runway’ must satisfy the US Army requirements of UFC 3-260-01 sections 4-3.2 and 4-3.3, with the following exceptions:
For performance Class 1 operations the approach and departure path slope must be 1:22 rather than the 1:8 slope detailed in Figure 4-1.
The references in section 4-3.3 to the clear zones detailed in Figure 4-3 do not apply.
Touchdown and Lift-Off Areas (TLOF). The requirements in paragraphs 3.1.21-24 and 3.1.26-31 must be supplemented by the US Army dimensional requirements in UFC 3-260-01 section 4-4.6 Dimensional Criteria. To the extent that the grade requirements conflict, the ICAO requirements prevail. Paragraphs 3.1.25 and 3.1.32 are not relevant to Defence heliport certification.
Helicopter clearways. The requirements in paragraphs 3.1.16-20 must be supplemented by the US Army requirements within UFC 3-260-01 section 4-11 Overruns for Rotary-Wing Runways and Landing Lanes.
Mobile objects. The comments about ‘mobile object’ in paragraphs 3.1.10/37/53 do not contain design requirements and are therefore not applicable to Defence heliport design.
Taxiways and taxiroutes. Note 3 above paragraph 3.1.33 is not relevant to Defence heliport design. The requirements in paragraphs 3.1.33-43 must be supplemented by the US Army dimensional requirements in UFC 3-260-01 section 5-6 Rotary-Wing Taxiway Dimensions. To the extent that the grade requirements conflict, the ICAO requirements prevail.
Helicopter stands. The requirements in paragraphs 3.1.44-55 must be supplemented by the requirements detailed in UFC 3-260-01 Section 6-7 Parking Apron for Rotary-Wing Aircraft. This section provides the layout and parking separation distances for both single-main-rotor and tandem-rotor helicopters. The Type 1 parking configuration is to be applied within Defence heliports given that the Type 2 configuration may create refuelling problems. Paragraph 6-7.6.1.1 of UFC 3-260-01 is not relevant to Defence heliport certification.
Rotary-Wing Landing Lanes. Landing lanes are a military concept that allow numerous simultaneous launch and recovery operations. Any landing lanes to be included in Defence heliports are to comply with the requirements in UFC 3-260-01 Section 4-8 Rotary-Wing Landing Lanes. To the extent that these requirements conflict with ICAO FATO/TLOF requirements, the ICAO requirements prevail.
Overruns for rotary-wing runways and landing lanes. Overruns are required at the end of all rotary-wing runways and landing lanes in accordance with the requirements in UFC 3-260-01 Section 4-11 Overruns for Rotary-Wing Runways and Landing Lanes. The Air Force/Army dimensions must be used in Item 2 of Table 4-5.
Clear Zone and Accident Prevention Zone. A Clear Zone and Accident Prevention Zone are required under the rotary-wing approach-departure surface, in accordance with the requirements in UFC 3-260-01 Section 4-12 Clear Zone and Accident Prevention Zone (APZ). Comments in paragraph 4-12.1, 4-12.2 and Table 4-6 about land ownership are not relevant to Defence heliports.
3.9 This design element is not relevant to Defence heliport certification.
3.10 Design requirement. The design of obstacle restrictions and limitations must comply with the requirements of ICAO Annex 14, Volume II, Edition 5, Chapter 4 Obstacle Environment, except for the following:
Paragraph 4.1.11. The appropriate authority mentioned in Note 1 is the DASA.
Paragraphs 4.1.22 through 26 are not relevant to Defence heliport certification.
Figure 4-3 Note 2 does not contain design requirements and is therefore not applicable to Defence heliport certification.
Paragraph 4.2.1 Note 2 does not contain design requirements and is therefore not applicable to Defence heliport certification.
Paragraphs 4.2.4-4.2.7. The appropriate authority to approve aeronautical studies is the DASA.
Paragraph 4.2.5. The circumstances in which shielding may apply are detailed in the ICAO Airport Services Manual (Doc 9137), Part 6, Appendix 3, paragraphs 2.1 through 2.3.
Paragraphs 4.2.9 through 29 and Figures 4.7 through 4.12 are not relevant to Defence heliport certification.
3.11 Design requirement. The design of visual aids provided by heliport markings, markers, signals, signs, wind direction indicators and so on must comply with the requirements of ICAO Annex 14, Volume II, Edition 5, Chapter 5 Visual Aids, Section 5.1 Indicators and Section 5.2 Markings and Markers, except for the following:
Chapter 5 Note 4, Paragraph 5.2.2.2 Note 3, paragraphs 5.2.2.8, 5.2.3.1, 5.2.4.1, 5.2.8.2, 5.2.9.4 and 5.2.10.2 are not relevant to Defence heliport certification.
Paragraph 5.2.2.7. The second/third sentences are not relevant to Defence heliport certification.
Paragraph 5.2.4.4. The second sentence is not relevant to Defence heliport certification.
Paragraph 5.2.9.7. The second sentence is not relevant to Defence heliport certification.
Sections 5.2.11-12 are not relevant to Defence heliport certification.
Paragraph 5.2.13 Note 2. Taxi-holding position markings applicable to taxiways intended for ground taxiing of helicopters must comply, where applicable, with CASA MOS Part 139, paragraph 8.39.
3.12 Design requirement. The design of heliport lighting must comply with the requirements of ICAO Annex 14, Volume II, Edition 5, Chapter 5 Visual Aids, Section 5.3 Lights, except for the following:
Paragraph 5.3.1 Note 2 is not relevant to Defence heliport certification.
Paragraphs 5.3.9.3, 5.3.9.7, 5.3.9.8, 5.3.9.11, 5.3.9.18 and 5.3.9.20 are not relevant to Defence heliport certification.
Paragraph 5.3.9.15. The chromaticity and luminance of colours must comply with the relevant requirements in MOS Part 139 (Aerodromes) Chapter 9 Visual aids provided by aerodrome lighting.
5.3.12 Taxiway lights. The design of taxiway lights must comply with the requirements for land based aerodromes, detailed in Chapter 2 of this section under the design element – Visual aids provided by aerodrome lighting.
Paragraph 5.3.13.1/2. The aeronautical studies must be submitted to the DASA for approval.
Night Vision Goggles (NVG) compatible lighting. Heliport lighting of FATOs, helipads, hoverpoints, runways, landing lanes, ground movement areas, helicopter stands and obstacles should be viewable by aircrew using NVG. In particular:
All lights needing to be NVG-compatible should be provided with variable intensity steps so that the lighting intensities may be customised to match a heliport’s ambient light levels. The starting point for designing the intensity steps is described in Section 8.8.1 of UFC 3-535-01 Visual Air Navigation Facilities.
Lighting of heliport facilities that have the potential to spill light onto movement areas and interfere with NVG operations must not be visible whilst using NVG.
Obstruction lights should comply with the NVG compatibility requirements in FAA AC 150/5345-43 Specification for Obstruction Lighting Equipment.
3.13 Design requirement. The design of CNS/MET facilities must comply with the requirements for land based aerodromes, detailed in Chapter 2 of this section under the design element – Communication, Navigation, Surveillance (CNS) and Meteorological (MET) Facilities.
3.14 Design requirement. The design of earthing points must comply with the requirements for land based aerodromes, detailed in Chapter 2 of this section under the design element – Earthing Points.
3.15 Design requirement. The design of helicopter tie-down facilities must comply with the requirements for land based aerodromes detailed in Chapter 2 of this section under the design element – Light Aircraft Tie-down Facilities.
3.16 Design requirement. The design of radio communication facilities must comply with the requirements for land based aerodromes detailed in Chapter 2 of this section under the design element – Radio Communication Facilities.
3.17 Design requirement. The design of the facilities and equipment used in aerodrome rescue and fire fighting services must comply with the requirements of ICAO Annex 14 Volume II, Edition 5, Section 6.2, except for the following:
Paragraphs 6.2.1.1, 6.2.1.2, 6.2.1.3, 6.2.2.4, 6.2.3.2, 6.2.7, 6.2.3.9-14, 6.2.8.1 and Table 6-3 are not relevant to the design of Defence heliports for certification.