Insights & News

What is a helipad and how is it used?

Published Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Helipads are essential infrastructure for helicopters, providing a safe and stable surface for takeoffs and landings. While helicopters can technically land on various flat surfaces, a well-designed helipad offers clear markings, a hard surface, and an obstacle-free environment. This article explores the key features and common locations of helipads, as well as the regulations and safety standards that govern their construction and use.

What is a helipad?

Key features of helipads

A well-designed helipad incorporates several key features to ensure safe and efficient helicopter operations:

Surface material: Helipads are typically constructed using concrete or asphalt to provide a stable, skid-resistant surface. The surface should be free of debris and able to support the weight of the intended helicopter traffic.

Markings: Clear markings are essential for visual reference during approach, landing, and takeoff. The most common marking is a large letter "H" in the center, often accompanied by a circle or square border. The perimeter may also be marked with a solid or dashed line.

Lighting: Adequate lighting is crucial for night operations and low visibility conditions. Green perimeter lights outline the landing area, while floodlights illuminate the touchdown and liftoff area. Optional features include lighted wind direction indicators and approach path indicators.

Safety features: Many helipads include safety enhancements such as raised safety nets around the perimeter, fire suppression systems, and tie-down points for securing the helicopter during parking and adverse weather conditions.

By incorporating these essential design elements, a helipad provides pilots with the visual cues, stability, and safety features necessary for smooth and secure helicopter operations in various settings.

Helipad vs heliport

While helipads and heliports both serve as landing areas for helicopters, they differ in scale and purpose. A helipad is a single takeoff and landing pad, often located on rooftops, ships, or remote sites. It provides a clear, stable surface for a helicopter to land and take off safely.

In contrast, a heliport is a more extensive facility, analogous to an airport for helicopters. It includes one or more helipads, as well as support infrastructure such as hangars, fueling stations, and passenger terminals. Heliports serve as hubs for helicopter operations, accommodating multiple aircraft and providing a range of aviation services.

Common locations for helipads

Urban helipads

Helipads are often found atop tall buildings in urban areas. These elevated platforms allow helicopters to access the heart of a city, where space is limited at ground level. Rooftop helipads serve a variety of purposes, from enabling efficient executive travel to providing a vital link for emergency services.

Constructing a helipad on a city building requires careful planning and adherence to strict safety regulations. The weight of the helicopter and the effects of rotor downwash must be considered in the structural design. Additionally, the helipad must be positioned away from obstacles and equipped with appropriate lighting and markings for safe operations.

Urban helipads also pose unique challenges in terms of noise and downdraft impacts on the surrounding area. To mitigate these effects, some buildings employ innovative designs such as elevated or recessed landing pads that redirect noise and airflow. Restrictions on flight paths and operating hours may also be implemented to minimize disruption to the community.

Emergency and medical helipads

Helipads play a crucial role in providing rapid medical transport for critically ill or injured patients. By allowing air ambulances to land directly at a hospital, they enable the swift transfer of patients to the emergency department, saving valuable time in life-threatening situations.

However, designing a medical helipad requires careful consideration of various factors to ensure safe and efficient operations. The helipad must be large enough to accommodate the specific types of helicopters used by emergency services, with clear approach and departure paths free from obstacles. Lighting, markings, and wind direction indicators are essential for guiding pilots during landing and takeoff, particularly in low visibility conditions.

To meet these stringent requirements, hospitals often work closely with aviation experts and local authorities when planning and constructing a medical helipad. By investing in a well-designed, strategically located helipad, hospitals can significantly enhance their ability to provide timely, life-saving care to patients in need.

Industrial and maritime helipads

Helipads are vital for industrial sites and maritime operations that require rapid access in remote locations. Oil rigs, mining facilities, and ships often feature helipads to facilitate crew changes, equipment delivery, and emergency response.

However, these helipads face unique challenges due to their harsh environments. Strong winds, turbulence from adjacent structures, and the constant motion of ships can complicate helicopter operations. Specialized design features, such as elevated helidecks and perimeter safety netting, help mitigate these risks.

Despite the challenges, industrial and maritime helipads are indispensable for maintaining safe and efficient operations in isolated settings. By providing a direct link to the mainland and enabling swift evacuation in emergencies, these helipads play a critical role in the smooth functioning of offshore industries and maritime activities.

Helipad regulations and safety

Design and construction standards

Helipads must adhere to stringent design and construction standards to ensure safe operations:

Size: Helipads should be large enough to accommodate the largest helicopter intended to use the facility, with additional space for safe maneuvering. The minimum recommended dimensions are 1.5 times the overall length of the helicopter.

Weight capacity: The helipad structure must be engineered to support the maximum takeoff weight of the helicopters it serves. This includes accounting for dynamic loads during landing and takeoff.

Surface: The helipad surface should be level, smooth, and free of obstacles. Concrete or asphalt surfaces provide the necessary stability and skid resistance. Proper drainage is essential to prevent water accumulation.

Obstacle clearance: Helipads must have clear approach and departure paths, free from obstructions such as buildings, trees, or power lines. The exact clearance requirements depend on the helipad's location and the types of helicopters using it.

Markings and lighting: Clear markings, such as a letter "H" or a circle, help pilots identify the landing area. Perimeter lighting, often green, outlines the pad at night. Floodlights illuminate the touchdown and liftoff area, while a lighted wind cone indicates wind direction and speed.

By adhering to these design and construction standards, helipads provide a safe and reliable platform for helicopter operations in various settings.

Operational procedures

To ensure safe helicopter operations on helipads, pilots and ground crews follow these key safety procedures:

Communication: Pilots maintain clear communication with air traffic control or the helipad operator to coordinate arrivals, departures, and any special instructions.

Approach and landing: Pilots approach the helipad slowly, maintaining a stable hover before gently touching down. They ensure the landing gear is firmly on the surface before reducing power.

Passenger management: Ground crew assist passengers with safe boarding and disembarking, ensuring they are clear of the rotor blades and follow designated paths.

Takeoff: Pilots carefully lift off vertically, maintaining a stable hover before transitioning to forward flight. They follow planned departure routes and avoid overflying personnel or structures.

Emergency readiness: Helipad operators maintain emergency response plans and equipment, such as fire suppression systems and medical kits, to handle potential incidents swiftly and effectively.

In summary, helipads are essential infrastructure for safe and efficient helicopter operations in a variety of settings, from urban rooftops to remote industrial sites. By adhering to stringent design standards and operational procedures, helipads provide pilots with stable surfaces, clear markings, and obstacle-free environments for smooth takeoffs and landings. As the demand for convenient and rapid air transport grows, well-designed helipads will continue to play a vital role in connecting people and places, whether for business, emergency response, or leisure travel.