Landing zone design issue - Is it safe?

[KeldArchi]

Hello everyone, i'm a new member of this forum and i'm glad to be part of this community!

 

First of all i would like to introduce myself, I'm an architect from Paris, France and I'm starting to work on several luxury projects in Africa (Congo). A lot of our clients fly on helicopters there so we have to design more and more kind of "domestic heliports"

 

I read a lot of documents regarding landing zone regulations but I know that it's only the pilot that is able to decide if he can land somewhere or not.

 

That's why i would like to submit here these simple plan and sections of a landing zone i'm starting to design to have your opinion. This landing zone is not "regulatory" but I'd like to know if it's possible to land on it without too much risks.

 

Is it possible to land here? Is it safe? Knowing that this landing zone will not be used more than 10 times a year and is for private use.

 

If you have any advice or correction to make i'd be glad to hear it! And if you need any addtional information just ask me.

 

Thank you so much for your help!

[TomPPL]

I think what would be important would be an idea of what the surrounding area was like? Tall structures, masts, trees etc

[Helipilot PTK]

This is coming from a private pilot so take that into consideration.

To me it looks like it could work. One suggestion though, to me it looks as if you could move the heliport 10-15 feet towards the house, which would give the pilot a little more cushion room towards the fence. I just have a few questions: Is the wall on side B the same height as both the A sides? And how far is the house from the heliport? Also is there trees or any other obstacle of interest on the other side of fences A and B?

[Goldy]

Is it possible to land here? Is it safe? Knowing that this landing zone will not be used more than 10 times a year and is for private use.

It's possible to land almost anywhere you have blade clearance, which you have, considering it is for a private helicopter and not say, a SuperPuma., You need to understand what sized helicopter will be using it, also, the prevailing wind is most likely coming from the beach. Helicopters like to land and take off into the prevailing wind. Helicopters also do not usually land vertically, so they need some distance for an approach without trees and wires in the way. Same with a departure. FAA has a circular out that defines what they require for a helipad, that would at least give you a "standard" to follow. I know that the current version is very controversial, the previous one may be better for you to follow.

 

Here is a link: http://www.faa.gov/airports/resources/advisory_circulars/index.cfm/go/document.current/documentNumber/150_5390-2

[aeroscout]

Elevated pads have advantages over ground based pads. If you can safely elevate your pad, with the proper engineered support, that may be something to consider.