Heliport

A heliport (also Heliport or Helipad ) is an officially approved heliport. Furthermore, there are no approved landing sites, which generally have a small number of aircraft movements. In contrast to the approved helipads and landing on helicopter landing sites require an outside takeoff and landing permission from the competent aviation authority.

Heliports be distinguished by their position differ in helicopter ground helipads, elevated heliports (eg on a hospital roof), helideck (eg oil rigs ) and helicopter airfields board ( on ships ). In the mountains, there to rescue or for construction purposes mostly improvised landing facilities ( mountain airfield ).

To spend the aircraft in a hangar, moving platforms are used where the helicopter lands.

Size

The space requirement for a helicopter landing pad is larger than the diameter of the rotor as the helicopter can maneuver there in hover must and there is strong air turbulence through the downdraft. Typically, the size of a heliport shall be determined according to the manufacturer's instructions in the flight manual for the helicopter. The overall length of the helicopter about everything is not exceeded in the rule. The heliport is also surrounded by a viable security area which is measured as a function of the maximum length of the helicopter. The approach and departure sector must be kept clear. A helicopter takes off and lands in principle against the wind.

Identification

Heliports are generally marked with a white H. Heliports at hospitals, notwithstanding the marked with a red H on white cross. The H stands for helicopter ( helicopter ), but was at first a picture of the runners of the rotorcraft. The limit of the take-off and landing area is usually characterized by a white mark (circle).

Heliports that are approved for operation in the night, have a night marking by firing. In addition to a glare-free floodlighting usually also the limit of the take-off and landing area is marked by green rimfire. If a final approach and take-off area reported whose boundary is fired white. To display a preferred approach direction are arranged in a line white approach lights can be attached. In order to give the pilot information about the angle of approach, visual aids, such as VASI or PAPI are possible. Is a far-reaching visual guidance of helicopters to the helipad necessary, a white fire detection that sends the identifier H in morse code placed at the landing site. Make buildings near heliports obstacles is, they must (the latter only in the case of night operations ) are provided with a day and night marking. As night lighting obstruction light ( red light of low intensity ) and can fire danger ( red flashing light with high intensity ) are used.

Near each heliport, a windsock is attached to indicate to the pilot the direction of prevailing winds. Some helipads or field landings (eg the use of a rescue helicopter at an accident ), the pilots of staff be trained by hand signals or radio.

Helicopter carrier

Helicopter carrier Military vessels whose primary use is a Hubschrauberlande-/Startplatz.

Others

To ascents of eight-thousand, it is of interest to have high-altitude helipads. For example, flying in Pakistan trekkers and mountaineers to Skardu, from where they can climb the K2.