Technical

Sample landing site description

08 Aug

This content has been archived. It may no longer be relevant

The instructions in this article are aimed at English-speaking aviation regions

Example of comprehensive landing site entry in Helipaddy

Tattingstone Place (example)

Helipaddy site ID: 3647

ICAO code: none

Category: Landing site, unlicensed

Helipaddy GRADE 2 landing site (few factors). Fairly easy in light prevailing winds. In strong gusts and/or southerlies, the landing requires good aircraft control.

  • Noise abatement routes
  • Helicopter landing zone
  • Facing north east
  • Facing south
Photos to assist landing site assessment
Video showing position of landing zone
Arrival over Alton Water into SW prevailing
Departure over Alton Water
Arrival from South – note wires

Airspace: There is no low-level airspace and the nearest radar service would be Southend to the south.

Animals: we have horses in fields surrounding the helipad which we put in before helicopters arrive or depart, so a minimum of 30 minutes advanced warning is required. We have heli-friendly dogs running loose which can be a significant distraction.

Location: Near the west shore of Alton Water reservoir. As the helipad is located amongst high trees, it will only be visible from high angles. This landing site is regularly used by helicopters of different sizes.

Noise abatement: The best approach for noise abatement is westbound over Anglia Water which is easy to determine from the air. Approaches from the north are not permitted due to neighbours.

Size: hard, lit, circular helipad surface 10m in diameter. Surrounded by a further 20m minimum of cut grass with a slight slope to the north.

Surround: high trees near the pad to the north making northerly approaches impossible.

Shape: High trees 50-100m to the west, south and east mean that single approaches are difficult whilst approached over neighbours to the north are forbidden. Double-angle approached advised. Once below tree height, site is well protected from wind. There are horse fences but repositioning in a high hover is possible.

Surface: The helipad is permanent but unmarked level circle of hard grey concrete with lights around the edge. There is the option to land near the pad onto mown grass with a gentle slope.

Slope: There are no trees to the south of the helipad and there is a gentle 3% slope downwards away from the pad in that direction.

Alternate: there is a grass airfield not far to the south called Great Oakley. It is also usually possible to land at our farm but please call for a crop update and precise location.