Heliport Design

Heliport Lighting Packages

Lamps & Couplings

Perimeter Lights (Elevated)

Perimeter Lights (Inset)

Floodlights

Radio Control

Approach Path Indicators

Beacons

Windcones

Obstruction Lights

Solar, Portable Lights

(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 (Figure 1). 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.

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.