Section 11. Helicopter Operations
3-11-1. TAXI AND GROUND MOVEMENT
OPERATION
a. When necessary for a wheeled helicopter to taxi
on the surface, use the phraseology in
para 3-7-2, Taxi and Ground Movement
Operations.
NOTE-
Ground taxiing uses less fuel than hover-taxiing and
minimizes air turbulence. However, under certain
conditions, such as rough, soft, or uneven terrain, it may
become necessary to hover/air-taxi for safety considerations. Helicopters with articulating rotors (usually designs
with three or more main rotor blades) are subject to
“ground resonance” and may, on rare occasions, suddenly
lift off the ground to avoid severe damage or destruction.
b. When requested or necessary for a helicopter/VTOL aircraft to proceed at a slow speed above the
surface, normally below 20 knots and in ground
effect, use the following phraseology, supplemented
as appropriate with the phraseology in para
3-7-2, Taxi and Ground Movement Operations.
PHRASEOLOGY-
HOVER-TAXI (supplemented, as appropriate, from para 3-7-2, Taxi and Ground Movement
Operations.)
CAUTION (dust, blowing snow, loose debris, taxiing light
aircraft, personnel, etc.).
NOTE-
Hover-taxiing consumes fuel at a high burn rate, and
helicopter downwash turbulence (produced in ground
effect) increases significantly with larger and heavier
helicopters.
REFERENCE-
P/CG Term- Hover Taxi.
AIM, Para 4-3-17, VFR Helicopter Operations at Controlled Airports.
c. When requested or necessary for a helicopter to
proceed expeditiously from one point to another,
normally below 100 feet AGL and at airspeeds above
20 knots, use the following phraseology, supplemented as appropriate with the phraseology in
para 3-7-2, Taxi and Ground Movement
Operations.
PHRASEOLOGY-
AIR-TAXI:
VIA (direct, as requested, or specified route)
TO (location, heliport, helipad, operating/movement area,
active/inactive runway).
AVOID (aircraft/vehicles/personnel).
If required,
REMAIN AT OR BELOW (altitude).
CAUTION (wake turbulence or other reasons above).
LAND AND CONTACT TOWER,
or
HOLD FOR (reason- takeoff clearance, release,
landing/taxiing aircraft, etc.).
NOTE-
Air-taxi is the preferred method for helicopter movements
on airports provided ground operations/conditions permit.
Air-taxi authorizes the pilot to proceed above the surface
either via hover-taxi or flight at speeds more than 20 knots.
Unless otherwise requested or instructed, the pilot is
expected to remain below 100 feet AGL. The pilot is solely
responsible for selecting a safe airspeed for the
altitude/operation being conducted.
REFERENCE-
P/CG Term- Air Taxi.
AIM, Para 4-3-17, VFR Helicopter Operations at Controlled Airports.
WAKE TURBULENCE APPLICATION
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d. Avoid clearances which require small aircraft or
helicopters to taxi in close proximity to taxiing or
hover-taxi helicopters.
REFERENCE-
AC 90-23, Aircraft Wake Turbulence, Para 10 and Para 11.
3-11-2. HELICOPTER TAKEOFF
CLEARANCE
a. Issue takeoff clearances from movement areas
other than active runways or in diverse directions
from active runways, with additional instructions as
necessary. Whenever possible, issue takeoff clearance in lieu of extended hover-taxi or air-taxi
operations.
PHRASEOLOGY-
(Present position, taxiway, helipad, numbers) MAKE
RIGHT/LEFT TURN FOR (direction, points of compass,
heading, NAVAID radial) DEPARTURE/DEPARTURE
ROUTE (number, name, or code), AVOID (aircraft/vehicles/personnel),
or
REMAIN (direction) OF (active runways, parking areas,
passenger terminals, etc.).
CAUTION (power lines, unlighted obstructions, trees,
wake turbulence, etc.).
CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF.
b. If takeoff is requested from non-movement
areas, an area not authorized for helicopter use, or an
area off the airport, and, in your judgment, the
operation appears to be reasonable, use the following
phraseology instead of the takeoff clearance in
subpara a.
PHRASEOLOGY-
DEPARTURE FROM (requested location) WILL BE AT
YOUR OWN RISK (additional instructions, as necessary).
USE CAUTION (if applicable).
c. Unless agreed to by the pilot, do not issue
downwind takeoffs if the tailwind exceeds 5 knots.
NOTE-
A pilot request to takeoff from a given point in a given
direction constitutes agreement.
3-11-3. HELICOPTER DEPARTURE
SEPARATION
Separate a departing helicopter from other helicopters by ensuring that it does not takeoff until one
of the following conditions exists:
NOTE-
Helicopters performing air-taxiing operations within the
boundary of the airport are considered to be taxiing
aircraft.
a. A preceding, departing helicopter has left the
takeoff area. (See FIG 3-11-1.)
FIG 3-11-1
Helicopter Departure Separation
b. A preceding, arriving helicopter has taxied off
the landing area. (See FIG 3-11-2.)
FIG 3-11-2
Helicopter Departure Separation
3-11-4. HELICOPTER ARRIVAL
SEPARATION
Separate an arriving helicopter from other helicopters
by ensuring that it does not land until one of the
following conditions exists:
a. A preceding, arriving helicopter has come to a
stop or taxied off the landing area.
(See FIG 3-11-3 and FIG 3-11-4.)
FIG 3-11-3
Helicopter Arrival Separation
FIG 3-11-4
Helicopter Arrival Separation
b. A preceding, departing helicopter has left the
landing area. (See FIG 3-11-5.)
FIG 3-11-5
Helicopter Arrival Separation
3-11-5. SIMULTANEOUS LANDINGS OR
TAKEOFFS
Authorize helicopters to conduct simultaneous
landings or takeoffs if the distance between the
landing or takeoff points is at least 200 feet and the
courses to be flown do not conflict. Refer to surface
markings to determine the 200 foot minimum, or
instruct a helicopter to remain at least 200 feet from
another helicopter. (See FIG 3-11-6.)
FIG 3-11-6
Simultaneous Helicopter Landings or Takeoffs
3-11-6. HELICOPTER LANDING
CLEARANCE
a. Issue landing clearances to helicopters going to
movement areas other than active runways or from
diverse directions to points on active runways, with
additional instructions as necessary. Whenever
possible, issue a landing clearance in lieu of extended
hover-taxi or air-taxi operations.
PHRASEOLOGY-
MAKE APPROACH STRAIGHT-IN/CIRCLING LEFT/RIGHT TURN TO (location, runway, taxiway, helipad,
Maltese cross) ARRIVAL/ARRIVAL ROUTE (number,
name, or code).
HOLD SHORT OF (active runway, extended runway
centerline, other).
REMAIN (direction/distance; e.g., 700 feet, 1 1/2 miles)
OF/FROM (runway, runway centerline, other helicopter/aircraft).
CAUTION (power lines, unlighted obstructions, wake turbulence, etc.).
CLEARED TO LAND.
b. If landing is requested to non-movement areas,
an area not authorized for helicopter use, or an area off the
airport, and, in your judgment, the operation appears
to be reasonable, use the following phraseology
instead of the landing clearance in subpara a.
PHRASEOLOGY-
LANDING AT (requested location) WILL BE AT YOUR OWN RISK (additional
instructions, as necessary). USE CAUTION (if
applicable).
c. Unless agreed to by the pilot, do not issue
downwind landings if the tailwind exceeds 5 knots.
NOTE-
A pilot request to land at a given point from a given
direction constitutes agreement.
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