Heliports and ultra small airports

[johngilkey]

What’s the 411 on notifying a heliport or ultra small airport with no communications or phone number?

 

[brett8883]

What’s the 411 on notifying a heliport or ultra small airport with no communications or phone number?

You don’t have to do what you can’t do. No phone number can’t call.

 

[msinger]

All airports should have a phone number on file. Try searching here.

 

[jacquespa]

What’s the 411 on notifying a heliport or ultra small airport with no communications or phone number?

It took me quite a bit of effort to identify contact info for those near where I routinely fly. Close to 50% of the heliports in the FAA data base were closed or the manager had retired/passed away.

 

[BigAl07]

What’s the 411 on notifying a heliport or ultra small airport with no communications or phone number?

You're obligated to do your due diligence to locate the contact information and attempt to make contact. If you have one that you simply can not find the # for (I've yet to see one I couldn't find a # for) then you need to log your attempts to locate etc just in case there is an incident. It's upon you to prove you tried . . .

 

[brett8883]

Ok related question. Is a helipad really an “airport.” In B4UFly it shows the helipads on top of hospitals and stuff like that. There’s 11 within 5 miles of me... Am I really expected to call all 11 of them? Is there anyone that really considers these “airports?”

there are other helipads that do not have a radius around them.

 

[kadras]

Ok related question. Is a helipad really an “airport.” In B4UFly it shows the helipads on top of hospitals and stuff like that. There’s 11 within 5 miles of me... Am I really expected to call all 11 of them? Is there anyone that really considers these “airports?” there are other helipads that do not have a radius around them.

From the FAA Remote Pilot - Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Study Guide, page 65:
The definition for airports refers to any area of land or water used or intended for landing or takeoff of aircraft. This includes, within the five categories of airports listed below, special types of facilities including seaplane bases, heliports, and facilities to accommodate tilt rotor aircraft.

 

[brett8883]

From the FAA Remote Pilot - Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Study Guide, page 65:
The definition for airports refers to any area of land or water used or intended for landing or takeoff of aircraft. This includes, within the five categories of airports listed below, special types of facilities including seaplane bases, heliports, and facilities to accommodate tilt rotor aircraft.

So since the helipad is on top of a building and not an “area of land or water” am I good?

 

[Smalls]

I know here in Austin, our rescue helicopter is mostly on top of a hospital unless weather is coming in. They move it to the hanger but all the communication goes through the main airport in Austin. Hope this helps a little

 

[CJH92474]

All airports should have a phone number on file. Try searching here.

VERY helpful, sir!!! Thank you.

 

[kadras]

So since the helipad is on top of a building and not an “area of land or water” am I good?

The FAA is one step ahead of you. From the FAA Pilot/Controller Glossary: Heliport - An area of land, water, or structure used or intended to be used for the landing and takeoff of helicopters and includes its buildings and facilities if any.
And in case you thinking of it, also from the PCG: Helipad -A small, designated area, usually with a prepared surface, on a heliport, airport, landing/takeoff area, apron/ramp, or movement area used for takeoff, landing, or parking of helicopters.

 

[brett8883]

The FAA is one step ahead of you. From the FAA Pilot/Controller Glossary: Heliport - An area of land, water, or structure used or intended to be used for the landing and takeoff of helicopters and includes its buildings and facilities if any.
And in case you thinking of it, also from the PCG: Helipad -A small, designated area, usually with a prepared surface, on a heliport, airport, landing/takeoff area, apron/ramp, or movement area used for takeoff, landing, or parking of helicopters.

Ahh shucks I thought I had em! Lol. These darn FAA lawyers! Always one step ahead and think of everything!

 

[Jim Padgett]

I wanted to fly my sisters farm well out in the country, but just inside the Five Mile of four private airstrips. I had to spend all day physically hunting down ALL Four. One was NO Number, two NO answer or message and ONE was an office M-F 9-5 (no help on Saturday which is likely when HE is flying and needs to know about ME). I could find NO trace of one of these strips (Google Sat or in person), and another had a big power line right through the middle of the strip on Google Sat and in person. Neighbor says "Yeah, that guy had to haul the plane out with a truck about 15 years ago, after they built the power line. The 'No Number' one was paved with a big hanger, all well kept , and the most likely to be active. The neighbor across the road there says yes, they fly there often but he didn't know a number either. Ironically HE had a windsock behind his house as well. Turns out his son uses the pasture out back to land sometimes but they're not listed or registered. Go figure? I'm retired with nothing better to do, but I can sure see why people just say screw it and go fly.