Helipad and Airfield Infrastructure Advisory Circulars (ACs) and FAA Guidance

Helipad and Heliport Design Standards

Design and Construction of Heliports

AC 135-4A – Provides guidelines for the construction and maintenance of helipads used in Part 135 operations. It covers site selection, lighting, obstacle clearance, and surface material requirements to ensure safe helicopter takeoff and landing operations.

AC 150/5300-14B – Establishes FAA heliport design criteria, including recommendations for FATO (Final Approach and Takeoff areas), TLOF (Touchdown and Liftoff areas), and safety zones. It ensures safe and efficient operations at private and public-use heliports.

AC 150/5320-15A – Focuses on pavement design for heliports, taxiways, and aprons. It provides load-bearing capacity guidelines, drainage considerations, and recommended surface materials for helicopter operations.

Airfield and Helipad Safety Equipment

Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) Equipment

AC 150/5220-18A – Covers Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) equipment standards for airports and heliports. It includes requirements for fire extinguishing agents, response vehicles, and operational safety measures to mitigate emergency risks.

Marking and Lighting for Helipads and Airports

AC 150/5220-20 – Provides guidance on airport ground vehicle operations and markings to enhance airfield safety and prevent runway incursions. It includes recommendations for visual aids, surface markings, and driver training requirements.

AC 150/5230-4A – Establishes best practices for airport fueling operations and fuel quality control. It includes fuel handling procedures, safety protocols, and training requirements for personnel working with aviation fuel at airports and heliports.

Airfield and Helipad Electrical Systems

Airfield Lighting and Navigation Aids

AC 150/5345-12E – Covers FAA requirements for airport and heliport lighting systems, including runway edge lights, taxiway lights, and approach lighting systems. It ensures compliance with ICAO and FAA visibility standards for night and low-visibility operations.

AC 150/5345-27D – Provides guidance on aircraft radio control of airport lighting (ARCAL) systems. It establishes pilot-controlled lighting (PCL) standards for remote and unattended airports and heliports.

AC 150/5345-50B – Details specifications for precision approach path indicators (PAPI) and visual approach slope indicator (VASI) systems. These lighting aids assist pilots in maintaining proper descent angles during approach and landing.

Airfield Pavement and Surface Maintenance

Pavement Condition and Maintenance Best Practices

AC 150/5380-5B – Focuses on pavement maintenance programs for airports and heliports. It provides techniques for evaluating pavement conditions, repairing cracks, and extending the lifespan of runways, taxiways, and helipads.