Can you land a helicopter at any airport?

Can Helicopters Land Anywhere? With few exceptions, helicopters can land their aircraft just about anywhere they want to. There are some FAA restrictions, of course, and you’ll have to check any state or local restrictions as well, but as a general rule, helicopters are allowed to land almost anywhere.

Where do helicopters land at an airport?

helipad
A helipad is a landing area or platform for helicopters and powered lift aircraft. While helicopters and powered lift aircraft are able to operate on a variety of relatively flat surfaces, a fabricated helipad provides a clearly marked hard surface away from obstacles where such aircraft can land safely.

Can you have a helipad in your backyard?

The FAA doesn’t prohibit helicopters from operating most places, so you should be able to land one in your backyard if you can do so safely. And no law says you have to build a helipad to land.

Do helicopters have to land on a helipad?

If you do decide to land a helicopter in an airport, it is good to know that you don’t have to land on a helipad and can even land on the runway if you like. The main requirement is that you land safely so as to not endanger your passengers or those on the ground.

Do helicopters operate from runways?

When the helicopter is operating from a remote part of an airport, the pilot will often make a departure from a non-movement area (helipad or ramp) so she doesn’t have to taxi to the runway. If the helicopter is a passenger flight, such as air-taxi, it will most likely operate from the runway or a helipad in the movement area.

Do you need a twin helicopter to land on an elevated site?

If you’re hoping to land on an elevated site within a city, such as a rooftop helipad, you will need a twin helicopter. A rule pilots employ when navigating over busy, urban areas, often referred to as the 1,000 Foot Rule, is to stay at a height of at least 1,000 feet above the highest fixed object within 600 meters of the helicopter.

What is the departure area of a helicopter?

The departure area is an operational decision. When the helicopter is operating from a remote part of an airport, the pilot will often make a departure from a non-movement area (helipad or ramp) so she doesn’t have to taxi to the runway.