Editing Heliport

{{Short description|Airport designed for helicopter use}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2022}}
[[File:Heliport Niagara Falls Ontario.jpg|thumb|A heliport at [[Niagara Falls, Ontario|Niagara Falls]], [[Ontario]], Canada]]
[[File:Hernesaaren helikopterikenttä ilmasta.jpg|thumb|The [[Hernesaari Heliport]] in [[Hernesaari]], [[Helsinki]], [[Finland]]]]
[[File:Uka landeplatz morgengrauen.jpg|thumb|Heliport of the university hospital [[Aachen]], [[North Rhine-Westphalia]], [[Germany]]]]

A '''heliport''' is a small [[airport]] which has a [[helipad]], suitable for use by [[helicopter]]s, [[Powered lift|powered lift]], and various types of [[VTOL|vertical lift aircraft]]. 

Designated heliports typically contain one or more touchdown and liftoff areas and may also have limited facilities such as fuel or hangars. In some larger towns and cities, [[customs]] facilities may also be available.<ref name="TC">{{cite web|url= https://tc.canada.ca/en/corporate-services/acts-regulations/list-regulations/canadian-aviation-regulations-sor-96-433/standards/standard-325-heliports-canadian-aviation-regulations-cars|title= Standard 325 - Heliports - Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs)|access-date= 30 April 2022|author= Transport Canada|author-link= Transport Canada|work=tc.canada.ca |date= 25 September 2015|archive-url= https://archive.today/20220430133508/https://tc.canada.ca/en/corporate-services/acts-regulations/list-regulations/canadian-aviation-regulations-sor-96-433/standards/standard-325-heliports-canadian-aviation-regulations-cars|archive-date= 30 April 2022|url-status= live}}</ref> The broader term [[vertiport]] refers to take-off/landing sites for all aircraft landing vertically.

Early advocates of helicopters hoped that heliports would become widespread, but they have become contentious in [[urban area]]s due to the excessive noise caused by helicopter traffic.

In American use a heliport is defined as "an area of land, water, or structure used or intended to be used for the landing and takeoff of helicopters and includes its buildings and facilities if any". A heliport will consist of one or more [[helipad]]s, which are defined as "a small, designated area, usually with a prepared surface, on a heliport, airport, landing/take-off area, apron/ramp, or movement area used for takeoff, landing, or parking of helicopters".<ref name="USAIM">{{cite web|url= https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/media/aim_basic_w_chg_1_dtd_12-2-21.pdf|title= Aeronautical Information Manual|access-date= 29 April 2022|author= Federal Aviation Administration|author-link= Federal Aviation Administration|work= faa.gov|date= 17 June 2021}}</ref><ref name="FAR">{{cite web|url= https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-1|title= PART 1 - Definitions and Abbreviations |access-date= 29 April 2022|author= Federal Aviation Administration|author-link= Federal Aviation Administration|work= Federal Aviation Regulations|date= 29 March 1962}}</ref>

In Canada the term heliport is legally only used for a certified aerodrome for helicopter use.<ref name="CAR">{{cite web|url= https://lois-laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-96-433/FullText.html#s-101.01|title= Canadian Aviation Regulations SOR/96-433|access-date= 29 April 2022|author= Transport Canada|author-link= Transport Canada|work= lois-laws.justice.gc.ca|date= 28 April 2022|quote=heliport means an aerodrome in respect of which a heliport certificate issued under Subpart 5 of Part III is in force}}</ref>

==Heliport airspace==
The [[airspace]] immediately surrounding the heliport is called the Primary Surface. This area coincides in shape and size with the designated take-off and landing area. This surface is a horizontal plane equal to the elevation of the established heliport elevation. The Primary Surface is further broken down into three distinct regions. These are, the 'Touch-down and Lift-off' (TLOF) area, the 'Final Approach and Takeoff' (FATO) area and the 'Safety Area'.<ref name="TC"/><ref>{{Cite web|title=e-CFR: Title 14: Aeronautics and Space|url=http://www.ECFR.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?rgn=div5&node=14:2.0.1.2.9|website=ECFR.gov|publisher= |access-date=2016-12-31}}</ref> 

The TLOF is a load-bearing, generally paved area, normally centered in the FATO, on which the helicopter lands and / or takes off. The FATO is a defined area over which the pilot completes the final phase of the approach to a [[Hover (helicopter)|hover]] or a landing, and from which the pilot initiates take-off.  The FATO elevation is the lowest elevation of the edge of the TLOF. The Safety Area is a defined area on a heliport surrounding the FATO intended to reduce the risk of damage to helicopters accidentally diverging from the FATO.<ref name="TC"/>

==Purpose==
In a large metropolitan and urban areas, a heliport can serve [[passenger]]s needing to quickly move within the city, or to outlying regions.  Generally, heliports can be situated closer to a town or [[city center]] than an airport for [[fixed-wing aircraft]]. The advantage in flying by helicopter to a destination, or even to the city's main airport, is that travel can be much faster than by surface transport.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/aeronautical-journal/article/abs/urban-heliport/47ABB76DA0EB6DA2C8E9FDA62D4355E9|title=The urban heliport|first=D. J.|last=Ward|date=July 30, 1982|journal=The Aeronautical Journal|volume=86|issue=856|pages=216–219 |doi=10.1017/S0001924000018893|s2cid=115448014 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dallasexecairport.com/vertiport/|title=Vertiport|date=July 15, 2016}}</ref> As an example, the [[Downtown Manhattan Heliport]] in New York City provides scheduled service to [[John F. Kennedy International Airport]], and is used to move wealthy persons and important goods quickly to destinations as far away as [[Maryland]].

Police departments use heliports as a base for [[police helicopter]]s, and larger departments may have a dedicated large heliport facility dedicated such as the [[LAPD Hooper Heliport]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cityofpasadena.net/police/divisions-and-sections/air-operations/|title=Air Operations - Police Department}}</ref>

Some [[skyscraper]]s feature rooftop heliports to serve the transport needs of executives or clients. Many of these rooftop sites also serve as Emergency Helicopter Landing Facilities (EHLF), in case emergency evacuation is needed. The [[U.S. Bank Tower (Los Angeles)|U.S. Bank Tower]] in [[Los Angeles]] is an example.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.helitecnica.com/rooftop-helipads/|title=Aluminum Rooftop Helipads}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://helipads.co/elevated-and-rooftop-helipads-and-heliports/|title=Elevated and Rooftop Helipads and Heliports - Aluminium Helipads|date=February 21, 2019}}</ref>

Helipads are common features at [[hospital]]s, where they serve to facilitate [[Air medical services|helicopter air ambulance]] and [[MEDEVAC]]s for transferring patients into and out of hospital facilities.  Some large [[trauma center]]s may have multiple helipads, while most small hospitals have just one.  Helipads allow hospitals to accept patients flown in from remote accident sites, where there are no local hospitals or facilities capable of providing the level of [[emergency care]] required.<ref name="FAAheli">{{cite web|url= https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/advisory_circular/150-5390-2B/150_5390_2b_part3.pdf|title= AC 150/5390-2B Chapter 4. Hospital Heliports|access-date= 30 April 2022|author= Federal Aviation Administration |author-link= Federal Aviation Administration |work= faa.gov|date= 30 September 2004}}</ref>

The [[National EMS Pilots Association]] (NEMSPA) has published multiple white papers, surveys and safety recommendations for the enhancement of hospital helipad operations to improve patient safety.<ref name="WP">{{cite web|url= https://justhelicopters.com/Portals/0/Documents/NEMSPA_FAA_HeliportACWhitePaper07012011.pdf|title= National EMS Pilots Association White Paper|access-date= 30 April 2022|author= National EMS Pilots Association|work= justhelicopters.com|date= 1 July 2011}}</ref>

==Heliport markings ==
While heliports can be oriented in any direction, they will generally have very definitive approach and departure paths.  However, heliports are not numbered in the same way that [[runway]]s at [[airport]]s are.  Recommended standard practice by both the [[Federal Aviation Administration]] (FAA) and the [[International Civil Aviation Organization]] (ICAO) is to orient a H in the center of the TLOF, in line with the preferred approach / departure direction.<ref name="TC"/>

An information box should also be included in the TLOF area, which provides the [[aircraft gross weight]] the helipad is rated for, as well as the maximum size helicopter the helipad has been designed to accommodated, which is based on the [[helicopter rotor]] diameter and overall length of the largest design helicopter that will service the helipad.  Under normal conditions, it is standard practice to paint the maximum gross weight a helipad is designed to support in either metric tonnes, kilograms, or thousands of pounds, along with the maximum helicopter dimensions in metres or feet.  Arrows are oftentimes painted on the heliport to indicate to pilots the preferred approach / departure paths.  Other common markings can include ownership, radio frequencies, company logo(s), and magnetic north.<ref name="TC"/>

==Lighting==
To conduct night-time operations, a heliport must have lighting installed that meets specific aeronautical standards.  Heliport perimeter lights are generally installed around the TLOF area, and may be flush mounted on the TLOF itself, or mounted just off the TLOF perimeter on short metal or concrete extensions.<ref name="TC"/>

One alternative to lighting the TLOF if certain criteria are met, is to light the area of the FATO instead.  Some locations, due to environmental conditions, illuminate the TLOF and FATO.  Lighting should never constitute an obstruction that a helicopter may impact, and for this reason, in the U.S., heliport lighting is not allowed to extend above the TLOF or FATO more than {{Convert|2|in|abbr=off}}.  Current standards recommend that all perimeter lighting be green.  Prior standards recommended amber lighting for perimeter lights; however this wavelength has been shown to interfere with [[night vision goggle]] (NVG) operations, when used with older incandescent lighting.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}

In the past, lighting has been traditionally [[incandescent]], but increasingly, [[light-emitting diode]]s (LEDs) are being incorporated, due to lower power requirements and increased life.  While flood lights may be used to enhance surface operations, they should not interfere with [[flight crew]] night vision, and should be kept off during flight operations, and only used when conducting ground movement operations.  To conduct night operations, a lighted [[wind cone]] is also required.  At ground-based heliports, [[lead-in lights]] may be incorporated to identify the preferred approach / departure direction.  Visual slope [[guidance system]]s (such as HAPI, PAPI, etc.) are recommended options in both ICAO and FAA documents.  While airports commonly use 6.6A [[direct current]] power,{{Citation needed|date=January 2015}} heliport lighting is normally [[AC power]]ed.  [[Pilot Controlled Lighting|Radio control of the lighting by the pilot via an automated ground-based controller]] is also common.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}

==Approach / departure airspace==
[[File:Copterline.jpg|thumb|[[Copterline]] helicopter at the heliport of [[Linnahall]] in [[Tallinn]], [[Estonia]]]]
To provide for a safe environment to perform normal helicopter landing and take-off operations, each heliport must have unobstructed approach / departure paths.<ref name="TC"/>

The minimum recommended separation between flight paths is 135 degrees.<ref name="TC"/>  A heliport approach path is broken down into two distinct airspace surfaces; the Approach Surface, and the Transitional Surface.  The approach surface begins at each end of the heliport primary surface with the same width as the primary surface, and extends outward and upward for a horizontal distance of {{Convert|4000|ft|m|abbr=off}}, where its width is {{Convert|500|ft|m|abbr=off}}.  The slope of the approach surface is 8-to-1 for civil heliports.  The Transitional Surfaces extend outward and upward from the lateral boundaries of the primary surface, and from the approach surfaces, at a slope of 2-to-1 for a distance of {{Convert|250|ft|m|abbr=off}}, measured horizontally from the centerline of the primary and approach surfaces.  Approach paths can either be straight or curved to accommodate obstructions and avoidance areas.<ref name="TC"/>

== Recent Regulatory Developments ==

* EASA Certification Specifications: The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has introduced new Certification Specifications (CS-HPT-DSN) for surface-level Visual Flight Rules (VFR) heliports. This regulation aligns with ICAO Annex 14, Volume II, and establishes requirements for heliport infrastructure, including Final Approach and Take-off Areas (FATO), Safety Areas, and Touchdown and Lift-off Areas (TLOF). Aerodrome operators are now responsible for demonstrating compliance with these specifications to ensure safety and operational efficiency at heliports located at airports.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Certification of Heliports based on EASA new specifications (CS-HPT-DSN) - airsight GmbH |url=https://www.airsight.de/projects/item/certification-of-heliports-based-on-easa-new-specifications-cs-hpt-dsn/ |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=www.airsight.de}}</ref>
* FAA Advisory Circular Updates: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) updated its Advisory Circular (AC 150/5390-2D) in May 2023, which provides comprehensive design standards for heliports. This document outlines planning, design, and construction guidelines to ensure safety and operational performance for various types of heliports, including those serving emergency services and general aviation. It emphasizes the importance of adhering to these standards for projects funded under federal assistance programs.

==See also==
* [[Helicopter deck]]
* [[List of countries by number of heliports]]
* [[:Category:Helicopter airlines|List of helicopter airlines]]
* [[List of heliports in Turkey]]
* [[List of heliports in Canada]]
* [[List of heliports in Singapore]]
* [[List of heliports in Washington, D.C.]]

==References==
===Footnotes===
{{Reflist}}

===General sources===
{{Refbegin}}
*de Voogt, A.J. 2007. Helidrome Architecture. Rotterdam: 010 Publishers.
*ICAO Annex 14 Aerodrome Standards, Aerodrome Design and Operations
*ICAO 1995. Heliport Manual. Montreal, Canada: ICAO Publications.
*Frost, John B. 1996. British helipads. Chester, UK: Appledore Publications.
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Heliports, helipads and helidecks}}
{{Wiktionary}}
*[https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP437(SEP2018)E8_A1.pdf UK CAA, CAP 437 Standards for Offshore Helicopter Landing Areas (September 2018)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214194627/http://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP437(SEP2018)E8_A1.pdf |date=14 February 2019 }}
*[https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP1264HelicopterlandingathospitalsAugust2019.pdf UK CAA, CAP 1264 Standards for Helicopter Landing Areas at Hospitals (First amendment edition, August 2019)]
*[http://www.nfpa.org/ National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 418 Standards for Heliports, 2016.]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20170117101621/http://codes.iccsafe.org/app/book/toc/2015/I-Codes/2015_IFC_HTML/index.html International Fire Code]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20161108043320/http://codes.iccsafe.org/app/book/toc/2015/I-Codes/2015%20IBC%20HTML/ International Building Code]
*[http://www.nemspa.org/index.php?page=toolbox&active_category_tab=2&active_AZtab=1#anchor_top National EMS Pilots Association Hospital Helipad Safety] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161231170648/http://www.nemspa.org/index.php?page=toolbox&active_category_tab=2&active_AZtab=1#anchor_top |date=31 December 2016 }} 
*[http://www.faa.gov/airports/resources/advisory_circulars/index.cfm/go/document.current/documentNumber/150_5390-2 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Advisory Circular AC 150/5390-2C - Heliport Design.].
*[http://www.wbdg.org/ccb/browse_cat.php?c=4 Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) Airfield and Heliport Planning, UFC 3-260-0,1Nov 2008]
*[http://www.nifc.gov/aviation/av_ref_ihog.html National Interagency Fire Center PMS 510, Interagency Helicopter Operations Guide, Chapter 8 Helicopter Landing Areas, Feb 2013.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150720195327/http://www.nifc.gov/aviation/av_ref_ihog.html |date=2015-07-20 }}
*[http://www.helitecnica.com Helitecnica Light Heliports]
*[http://www.pointlighting.com Point Lighting Corporation Helipad/Helideck Lighting - Wind Cones - Obstruction Lighting]

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[[Category:Heliports| ]]
[[Category:Helicopters]]
[[Category:Airports by type]]