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Helicopters are a common sight in airspace around airports, with many airports offering helicopter tours, charter flights, and air-taxi services. Helicopters can be restricted in how high they can fly near airports due to the volume of commercial airplanes in the area. In the US, the FAA regulates helicopters in the airspace, but not on the ground, where local and state regulations may apply.
Can helicopters fly near airports?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Helicopter operations near airports | Helicopters performing air-taxiing operations within the boundary of an airport are considered to be taxiing aircraft. |
| Landing clearances | Landing clearances are required for landing in non-movement areas, areas not authorized for helicopter use, or areas off the airport. |
| Landing restrictions | Helicopters may be restricted from landing in certain areas due to local/state regulations or private property ownership. |
| Flight height limitations | Helicopters may be limited in how high they can fly near airports due to the presence of commercial airplanes. |
| Flight frequency | There can be a significant number of helicopter flights near airports, including tourist, charter, and commuter flights. |
| Impact on surrounding areas | Helicopter flights near airports can cause noise and pollution issues for nearby populated areas. |
| Safety considerations | Helicopters may need to hover or air-taxi instead of ground taxiing due to terrain conditions or mechanical considerations, such as "ground resonance" in helicopters with articulating rotors. |
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What You'll Learn
Helicopter landing regulations
Landing Locations
Helicopters are permitted to land at designated heliports and airports equipped and approved for helicopter operations, ensuring compliance with safety standards. Some regions also have designated public landing areas, which may include parks and open spaces. It is crucial for pilots to stay informed about local regulations and obtain any necessary permits or permissions.
Private Property
Helicopters may land on private property with the explicit permission of the landowner. This is commonly done for emergency medical services, private charters, or other authorized operations.
Special Events and Temporary Locations
Helicopters can land at special events or temporary locations with the appropriate permits and coordination with local authorities. Regulations can vary significantly between countries and regions, so pilots must be familiar with the specific jurisdiction's aviation regulations.
Safety Considerations
In emergencies, pilots are authorized to make precautionary landings in suitable areas, prioritizing safety and using their judgment to select the best landing spot. Helicopters must avoid restricted areas, military zones, and locations where landings are explicitly prohibited, as indicated on aviation charts.
Noise and Environmental Impact
Some jurisdictions have regulations addressing noise and environmental concerns. Helicopter operators may need to follow noise abatement procedures or obtain additional permits when landing in residential or environmentally sensitive areas.
Simultaneous Landings and Takeoffs
Air traffic control may authorize helicopters to conduct simultaneous landings or takeoffs if the distance between landing or takeoff points is at least 200 feet, and the courses to be flown do not conflict.
Taxiing Operations
Ground taxiing is generally preferred over hover-taxiing or air-taxiing as it reduces fuel consumption and air turbulence. However, in certain conditions, such as rough terrain, hover-taxiing or air-taxiing may be necessary for safety.
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Helicopter taxiing procedures
Helicopters are allowed to fly near airports, but there are specific taxiing procedures that must be followed for safe operations. These procedures are in place to minimise the risks associated with taxiing, such as ground collisions, air turbulence, and ground resonance.
- ATC Clearance: Prior to taxiing, an ATC (Air Traffic Control) clearance must be obtained. This ensures the helicopter follows the correct taxi routes, avoids collisions, and does not inadvertently enter an active runway.
- Taxi Phraseology: The phrase "taxi" is used when a helicopter is expected to taxi on the airport surface via taxiways or prescribed routes. This term is primarily used for wheeled helicopters or in response to a pilot's request to minimise the effects of rotor downwash.
- Hover Taxiing: Pilots may request a hover taxi when slow forward movement is desired or for moving very short distances. Hover taxiing may be necessary for safety on rough or uneven terrain, but it can cause significant turbulence, especially with larger helicopters. Pilots should avoid hover taxiing if it may cause damage or obscure visibility due to blowing dust or snow.
- Air-Taxiing Height: Helicopters performing air-taxiing should maintain a ground speed of less than 20 knots (37 km/h) and usually remain within ground effect. However, some helicopters may require air-taxiing above 25 feet AGL (above ground level) to reduce turbulence or provide clearance for cargo sling loads.
- Separation of Helicopters: Arriving and departing helicopters must be separated to avoid conflicts. Arriving helicopters should not land until a preceding helicopter has come to a stop or taxied off the landing area. Departing helicopters should maintain a distance of at least 200 feet between takeoff points.
- Non-Movement Areas: If landing or takeoff is requested in non-movement areas or areas not authorised for helicopter use, controllers should inform pilots that it is "at their own risk" and instruct them to "use caution".
- Avoid Proximity to Other Aircraft: Clearances should avoid requiring small aircraft or helicopters to taxi in close proximity to other taxiing or hover-taxiing helicopters to minimise collision risks and turbulence effects.
- Takeoff and Landing Instructions: Clearances for takeoff and landing should include concise instructions to help pilots navigate safely. This includes directions, cautions about obstacles, and instructions to hold short of active runways.
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Helicopter flight paths near airports
Helicopters are allowed to fly near airports, but there are strict regulations in place to ensure safety and minimise disruption. Firstly, it's important to differentiate between private and commercial helicopter operations. Private helicopter pilots who are appropriately rated may land their helicopters in areas that are not private property and are safe to land, such as clear of obstructions and with an appropriate surface. However, there may be local or state regulations that restrict landing in certain areas. It is recommended to contact local helicopter operations to understand the specific local regulations.
Commercial helicopter flights, on the other hand, typically operate within designated flight paths and landing areas near airports. These flights often include charter and commuter services, connecting regional airports to various destinations. For example, in New York City, companies like Blade offer charter helicopter services to and from airports such as JFK, LGA, Newark, and Teterboro. These flights usually depart from specific heliports, such as the W 30th Street Heliport or the city-owned E. 34th Street Heliport.
To ensure safety, helicopter flight paths near airports must adhere to certain protocols. Helicopters performing air-taxiing operations within the airport boundary are considered taxiing aircraft and must follow specific procedures for arriving and departing. Additionally, simultaneous landings or takeoffs are authorised as long as the distance between landing or takeoff points is at least 200 feet, and the courses to be flown do not conflict. Ground taxiing is generally preferred over hover-taxiing as it uses less fuel and minimises air turbulence.
While helicopter flights near airports are permitted, there are ongoing discussions and efforts to reduce non-essential helicopter traffic in certain areas. For instance, in New York City, organisations like Stop The Chop NY NJ (STC) advocate for legislation to halt the use of heliports for non-essential purposes. They propose that a significant reduction or ban on non-essential helicopter flights would greatly decrease noise and pollution issues in the region.
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Helicopter landing near private property
Helicopters have more flexibility in terms of landing locations compared to fixed-wing aircraft due to their ability to perform vertical takeoffs and landings. However, there are still regulations and restrictions on helicopter landings that vary by country, region, and local jurisdiction.
Helicopters may land on private property with the landowner's permission. This is often the case for emergency medical services, private charters, or other authorized operations. It is crucial to obtain proper permission to avoid legal issues. Some regions have designated public landing areas for helicopters, such as parks or open spaces. Pilots must always check local regulations to ensure compliance.
In emergencies, pilots are allowed to make precautionary or emergency landings in suitable areas, using their judgment to choose the best available landing spot. Safety is the primary concern in these situations. Helicopters must avoid restricted areas, military zones, and other locations where landings are explicitly prohibited. These flight restrictions are typically marked on aviation charts, and pilots should be aware of them.
In controlled airspace or near busy airports, helicopters may need clearance from air traffic control (ATC) before landing to ensure coordination with other air traffic and enhance safety. Certain jurisdictions have specific regulations regarding noise and environmental impact, and operators may need to comply with noise abatement procedures or obtain additional permits, especially when landing in residential areas.
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Helicopter landing in non-movement areas
Helicopters can operate from three different areas of an airport: non-movement areas, movement areas, and runways. Non-movement areas are those not controlled by ground or tower controllers and are often composed of aircraft parking areas or areas leased by tenants. Helipads may be found in non-movement areas, such as the Coast Guard helipads at SFO and JFK airports.
When landing in non-movement areas, if the operation appears reasonable, air traffic controllers (ATC) will use the phraseology:
> LANDING AT (requested location) WILL BE AT YOUR OWN RISK (additional instructions, as necessary). USE CAUTION (if applicable). Unless agreed to by the pilot, do not issue downwind landings if the tailwind exceeds 5 knots.
This is similar to the phraseology used for takeoff requests from non-movement areas:
> DEPARTURE FROM (requested location) WILL BE AT YOUR OWN RISK (additional instructions, as necessary). USE CAUTION (if applicable).
In both cases, the pilot is responsible for operating in a safe manner and should exercise due caution.
Helipads can also be found in movement areas, which are controlled by ground controllers and separated from runway areas. Almost all helicopter departures from towered airports are coordinated directly with the tower controller because the aircraft enters the controller's airspace. At non-towered airports, helicopters operate out of the flow of fixed-wing traffic and need to self-announce like any other aircraft.
When helicopters are operating from a remote part of an airport, the pilot will often depart from a non-movement area (helipad or ramp) to avoid having to taxi to the runway. If the helicopter is a passenger flight, such as an air taxi, it will likely operate from the runway or a helipad in the movement area.
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Frequently asked questions
Helicopters can fly near airports, but they are often limited in how high they can fly due to the presence of commercial airplanes. Helicopter operations within the boundary of an airport are considered taxiing aircraft.
Per §91.119 of the FARs, helicopters may be operated at less than the minimums prescribed, but local/state regulations regarding helicopter operations may vary. It is best to contact a local helicopter operation to understand the local regulations.
Certain city-level regulations are in place for tourist flights originating at the NYC heliports, but these regulations do not apply to flights from outside NYC. Nearly 30,000 tourist flights take off from NYC's Downtown Heliport each year, and a significant number of these flights pass over densely populated areas of Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island.
