Helipad Operation Regulatory Requirements of GCAA
Charles Hajdu
Strategy & Business Development Manager, Fujairah International Airport
Purpose of this Workshop
1. To improve helicopter/helipad operations in Fujairah.
2. To make helipad operators aware of regulations.
3 To make helipad operators aware of their responsibilities.
Important Terms
1. Helipad, Surface Level Helipad, Elevated Helideck, Heliport
2. Helicopter Operator
3. Helipad Operator
4. Private vs. Commercial
Who is Regulating YOU?
• General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA)
• Department of Civil Aviation,Fujairah (DCA)
• Fujairah International Airport (FIA)
• International Civil Aeronautics Organization (ICAO)
The Regulations and YOU
What you should know
• Operation of the heliport is the responsibility
of the Helipad Owner/Operator
• Flight Operations is the responsibility
of the Helicopter Operator
• Commercial vs. Private Use helipads
Resources
• ICAO Annex 14, Volume II, Second Edition – July 1995
• GCAA Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR) Part IX, Appendix 16
• Dept. of Civil Aviation/Fujairah International Airport• Helicopter Operators
• YOUR company’s/organization’s policies (if any)
• Consultants (ie: Al MacKinnon)
Introduction
Regulatory Requirements of GCAACharles HajduStrategy & Business Development Manager, Fujairah International Airport
The Importance of Helipad Safety &
Potential Dangers to Helipad Operations
David Muthoka Airport Safety Officer, Fujairah International Airport
Around your helipad establish a safety zone and always wait for the helicopter from the safety zone and only approach when asked to.
Never approach the helicopter from the rear
Always approach the helicopter from the front and in full view of the pilot
Crouch when approaching or leaving the helicopter. This creates more space between head and rotor blades
Always approach or leave on the downslope
If blinded by swirling dust or sand ; sit down and wait for assistance.
Helipad maintenance
Foreign Object Debris‐ FOD
Clear all FOD (loose stones, metal pieces, clothing etc) on the helipad.
Wind sock
It is good practice to put up a wind sock to assist pilots in determining wind speed and direction. Periodically check for wear & tear.
Helicopter approach path
Ensure that there are no trees power lines trees, lines, poles, or overhead obstructions on the arrival /departure path of the helicopter.
Landing area
Ground helipads need to be checked for uneven areas. It should be kept evenly leveled and the grass/ vegetation growth cut low.
Fire fighting equipment
Ensure that there are fire fighting extinguishers in place just in case of any fire emergency.
Helipad lighting
Ensure that the helipad lights are in good working condition and the fittings are not loose.
Operations & Standard Operating Procedures
For a safe and efficient operation procedures should
be developed.General•Be aware of rotor wash.
•Beware of protrusions e.g. radio antenna , pitot tubes (don’t use as handles, at eye level when crouching).
•Remove all loose items or hold tightly onto them.
•Beware of tail rotor (invisible when spinning).
•Only delegated people should handle the loading/ unloading of cargo.
Ground to Air radio communication( if using a radio).
• Know how to use the radio properly.
• Pre‐arrange with pilot on a common frequency.
• Ensure your radio is programmed on the frequency.
• As pilot approaches convey information on wind ‐ if steady or gusty, visibility, cloud cover or fog.
• Be brief & concise.
•To contact the pilot use the last 3 letters of the helicopters registration e.g. A6‐ABC
• Pre‐arrange with pilot on a common frequency.
• Ensure your radio is programmed on the frequency.
• As pilot approaches convey information on wind ‐ if steady or gusty, visibility, cloud cover or fog.
• Be brief & concise.
•To contact the pilot use the last 3 letters of the helicopters registration e.g. A6‐ABC
Safety Management practices
• On the morning of helicopter flying organise a procedural/ safety briefing.
• Keep a log book for helipad operations and log all information relating to helipads here.
• Record what kind of FOD items are found at your helipad.
• Keep a record of mitigations & their effectiveness.
• Do a periodic trend analysis of this data.• Keep a log book for helipad operations and log all information relating to helipads here.
• Record what kind of FOD items are found at your helipad.
• Keep a record of mitigations & their effectiveness.
• Always ask the pilots what hazard(s) they encountered operating on your helipad & then log it. Always mitigate your hazards.
• Ensure that your helipads are regularly inspected as per your schedule and log all your observations.
Important‐ Appoint a person(s) to be in charge of the helicopter operation and be his/her responsibility to ensure that the procedures are adhered to.
Arriving aircraft‐ check helipad for FOD, wind sock, lighting, fire extinguishers in place, safety zones established, crowd moved to safety zones, cargo neatly parked and kept away from helipad. No smoking in /around the helicopter.
Aircraft on ground‐ approach only when pilot or
guide indicates,Exiting aircraft:‐ Do not remove your seat belt until
the pilot instructs you to do so or a designated
person has opened the door.Final check:‐Do a final safety check before giving the thumbs up sign. Verify that all seat belts, racks and cargo compartments are properly locked and latched.
guide indicates,Exiting aircraft:‐ Do not remove your seat belt until
the pilot instructs you to do so or a designated
person has opened the door.Final check:‐Do a final safety check before giving the thumbs up sign. Verify that all seat belts, racks and cargo compartments are properly locked and latched.
The End
Physical Characteristics of a Safe Helipad
Theo Davis
Airport Planner & Project Coordinator, Fujairah International Airport
LUXURY HELIPADS…
SIMPLE HELIPADS…
A VARIETY OF HELIPADS…
FUJAIRAH HELIPADS…
STEP 1: Determining YOUR Requirements
1) Type of Use?
Commercial/Private/Emergency/VIP/International/Military/Hospital2) How often?
One time use/few times a year/ 1‐2x month/unsure/other3) Time of Use?
Day/Night/Both
4) Types of Helicopters using it?
5) Regulations GCAA/ICAO
TLOF =
Touchdown Lift‐Off
FATO =
Final Approach Take‐Off
Basic Parts of a Helipad
Helipad Reference Point•Lat. & Longitude, MSL elev.
Helipad Identification Marking
TLOF area
TLOF touchdown marking
FATO area
•1.5X over‐all HC length
3% l ** (3 1 3)
• slope max.** 3.1.3)
•Rotor downwash resistant
•Load bearing
•Non‐irregular surface
Safety area
•Frangible objects only
Important Dimensions
Calculating TLOF & FATO
TLOF Area Required Diameter:
3 07m (max undercarriage span)
x 1.5 (per reg. 3.1.11)
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
= 4.61m diameter
FATO Area Required Diameter:17 3m (over‐all max dimension)
x 1.5 (per regulation 3.1.2)
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
= 25.95m diameter
Obstacle Limitation Surfaces
Add obstacle light to OHL towers in immediate surrounding.
Add red spheres to lines between OHL towers.
Watch out for trees, vegetation, overhead power lines, structures, buildings, light poles, antennas, terrain, constructions cranes, etc.
Watch out for trees, vegetation, overhead power lines, structures, buildings, light poles, antennas, terrain, constructions cranes, etc
Visual Aids –What are they?
Visual Aids – FATO Marking
5.2.4:Provide where extent
of FATO not self ‐
evident.
• Circular Area Marking
or Markers: equal
intervals not more
than 10m (5 min)
• Square Marking or
Markers: equal
intervals not more
than 50m (3 min each
side) including corners
Visual Aids – TLOF Marking
5.2.7:
Provide if the
perimeter of the TLOF
is not self‐evident
• Continuous white line
of at least 30 cm width
AND/OR
• Yellow circle & line
width of at least 0.5m
for specific touchdown
area.
**Notice heliport name marking at top of photo
Visual Aids – Hospital Markings
Helicopter Approach **Maximum allowable mass marking for
elevated helipad/helideck only
Visual Aids – Lighting for NIGHT USAGE only
5.3.6.3: FATO Area Lights (required):
• can be omitted if FATO area nearly identical with TLOF areas
• White colored, fixed, omni‐directional
• If square or rectangle: intervals of not more than 50m, 4 minimum
each side including a light in each corner
• If circular: at intervals of not more than 5m, 10 lights minimum.
5.3.6.3: TLOF Area Lights (required):
• 25cm height maximum, green (5.2.8.25) or yellow (5.3.8.26)• Can consist of the following:
a. Perimeters lights; or
b. floodlighting;c. Combination of Floodlights & Ground Lights (best practice)•Place at edge of TLOF, intervals not more than 5m, 9 minimum ASPSLs
Other Considerations
a) Windsock(s) ‐ required
• illuminated if night time use
• use multiple if disturbed airflow
b) Security/Safety Fencing
• Make sure they do not interfere with approach/take off
c) Warning signs (“Do NOT Enter when Helicopters Present”)
d) Helicopter Fire & Rescue equipment locations
d) Additional markings
• walkways, vehicle stop, assembly points, etc.
Physical Characteristics of a Safe Helipad
Theo Davis
Airport Planner & Project Coordinator, Fujairah International Airport
THANK Y☺U
Air Traffic Control:
Francis Jude LegaieActing Senior Air Traffic Control Officer,
Fujairah International Airport
What is all this About:
•Understanding of Fujairah Airspace
•The helipad Sites and ATC requirements
•Why we need to communicate
•What we need to communicate
•And
•A SAFE OPERATION FOR ALL WITHIN FUJAIRAH
Understanding The Airspace
:Fujairah Control Areas (CTA)–
An arc of 30 NM radius centered on 250600N 0562103E
between the bearings of 360° (M) clockwise to 165° (M)
9,500 FT / 1,500 FT Class : CAn arc of 20 NM radius centered on 250600N 0562103E between
the bearings of 171° (M) clockwise to 360° (M) excluding
171 360 M), airspace of Dubai CTA and Ras Al Khaimah CTA.
9,500 FT / 2,000 FT Class : C
Fujairah Control Zone (CTR)‐
Semi ‐ circles of 10 NM centered on position 250606N 0562107E
and a fix 112° (MAG) 10 NM from 250600N 0562103E joined by
their common tangents, except that airspace enclosed between
the bearings 165° (MAG) clockwise to 360° (MAG) outside 7 NM
from 250600N 0562103E
5500 FT‐ SURFACE
FT Airspace Classification –Class D
What it all means?
Why all this ?
ATC simply needs to know that you are safe
1. Loose Communication
Controlled Airspace 2. Critical phase of flight
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Un Controlled Airspace 3. Closing FPL (30+ mins )
ATC needs to ensure the safety of the flight and others
1. No Communication
Controlled Airspace 2. Critical phase of flight
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Un Controlled Airspace 3. Closing FPL (30+ mins )
4. We are all SafeOk we understand “SAFETY”, so what do we want from YOU?
1. Inform ATC when the Helicopter is safe on the ground.
2. Notify the crew to contact ATC before departure and
pass details of FPL/ obtain ATC clearance
3. Inform ATC when the Helicopter is ready departs/lift off.
4. Alert ATC immediately of any emergency
Any problem call:
800-Who-Cares
Fujairah DCA CARES800-Who-Cares
ATC Contact Details:Air Traffic Control Service Office: 09 2055553
Air Traffic Control Direct line: 09‐2241166
09‐2241199
HELICOPTER EMERGENCIES & RESCUE
Stuart Williams
Chief Fire Officer, Fujairah International Airport
Construction
Because of the
light
construction of
helicopters,
any incident
which results
in an impact is
likely to result
in the
helicopter
sustaining
structural
damage
Tactics & Techniques
Types of incident:‐
• Engine Fire
• Internal Fire
• Fuel Spillage Fire
• High Engine Fire
• APU Fire
Rescue and Fire‐Fighting
• Isolation of the fuselage from any
fire situation is a priority
• Cover any fuel spillage's with a foam blanket
• If the fuselage has rolled onto its side only
50% of exits will be available for entry
• Caution in respect of water activated
floatation devices
• Caution in respect of ADELT systems
Safety
Post Accident Fire Prevention Measures
•Restrict entry to the site
•Confirm disconnection of aircraft batteries
•Maintain foam blankets
•prevent non‐essential access to the site by vehicles
•Restrict the use of equipment that may provide a source of ignition
•Oversee the necessary procedures to ensure the preservation of evidence at the site.
HELIPAD EMERGENCIES & RESCUE:
Stuart Williams
Chief Fire Officer, Fujairah International Airport
THANK Y☺U
Note: All image and text contents are prepared by Fujairah International Airport authority for a workshop on Helipad operation and maintenance, these materials are sharing by copying just for helping others regarding safety awareness. I hope it will helpful for many of my friends.
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