Canadian Aviation Regulations (SOR/96-433)

Operational Limits

305.20 The operator of a heliport shall determine, and record in their heliport operations manual, the heliport operational limitations in accordance with the applicable heliport standard with respect to

• (a) load bearing strength of the TLOF when required by the applicable heliport standard;

• (b) the maximum helicopter overall length for which each operational area at a heliport is certified; and

• (c) the heliport classification as specified in paragraph 305.19(a) and category as determined in accordance with the applicable heliport standard.

Units of Measurement

305.21 Unless otherwise specified in the applicable heliport standard, units of measurement used in this Division and in the heliport operations manual shall use the following rounding rules and specified measurement units:

• (a) elevations to the nearest foot;

• (b) linear dimensions to the nearest metre;

• (c) geographic coordinates in latitude and longitude to the nearest second;

• (d) geographic coordinates measured in accordance with North American Datum 1983;

• (e) bearings to the nearest degree;

• (f) water depths, measured in the specified unit expressed, to the nearest foot or metre; and

• (g) range of tides or water levels, measured in the specified unit expressed, to the nearest foot or metre.

[305.22 to 305.24 reserved]

Division V — Physical Characteristics

• 305.25 (1) The operator of a heliport shall ensure that

  • (a) the heliport has at least one FATO; and

  • (b) no FATO is used to accommodate the manoeuvres of more than one helicopter at a time.

• (2) Subject to subsections (3) to (6), the operator of a heliport shall ensure that the heliport meets the requirements set out in the applicable heliport standard in respect of

  • (a) FATOs;

  • (b) safety areas;

  • (c) rejected take-off areas, if applicable;

  • (d) helicopter clearways, if applicable;

  • (e) TLOFs, if applicable;

  • (f) taxiways as follows, if applicable:

    • (i) air taxiways,

    • (ii) helicopter ground taxiways,

    • (iii) helicopter ground taxiway shoulders, and

    • (iv) helicopter ground taxiway strips;

  • (g) aprons, if applicable; and

  • (h) helicopter parking positions, if applicable.

• (3) The operator of a surface-level heliport shall ensure that the heliport meets the special requirements for a surface-level heliport set out in the applicable heliport standard in respect of

  • (a) TLOFs;

  • (b) taxiways; and

  • (c) aprons.

• (4) The operator of an elevated or rooftop heliport shall ensure that the heliport meets the special requirements for an elevated or rooftop heliport set out in the applicable heliport standard in respect of

  • (a) TLOFs;

  • (b) safety nets; and

  • (c) helicopter parking positions.

• (5) The operator of a heliport located on an aerodrome primarily designed to serve aeroplanes shall ensure that the heliport meets the special requirements for a heliport located on an aerodrome set out in the applicable heliport standard in respect of

  • (a) application of additional standards regarding aerodromes;

  • (b) FATOs;

  • (c) ground taxiway separation distances;

  • (d) taxi-holding positions;

  • (e) aprons; and

  • (f) helicopter parking positions.

• (6) The operator of an H1 heliport shall ensure that the heliport meets the special requirements for an H1 heliport set out in the applicable heliport standard in respect of FATOs and TLOFs.

[305.26 to 305.28 reserved]

Division VI — Obstacle Limitation Surfaces

• 305.29 (1) Subject to subsections (2) to (4), the operator of a heliport shall establish the following obstacle limitation surfaces in accordance with the applicable heliport standard for a non-instrument, non-precision or precision FATO and meet the special requirements for the surfaces and any obstacles that may affect them, set out in the applicable heliport standard:

  • (a) approach surfaces;

  • (b) take-off surfaces; and

  • (c) transitional surfaces.

• (2) The operator of an H1 heliport shall ensure that the heliport meets the special requirements for obstacle limitation surfaces for non-instrument FATOs set out in the applicable heliport standard for an H1 heliport in respect of approach or take-off surfaces.

• (3) The operator of an H1 heliport shall conduct a survey of the approach and take-off surface to determine obstacle information and submit a copy to the Minister at the time of the initial heliport certification and after that at least once every five years, unless no new obstacle has been established in the approach and take-off surface during the five-year period and a report to that effect is made to the Minister.

• (4) The operator of an H2 heliport shall ensure that the heliport meets the special requirements for obstacle limitation surfaces for non-instrument FATOs set out in the applicable heliport standard for an H2 heliport in respect of approach or take-off surfaces.

• (5) The operator of a heliport equipped with an instrument FATO shall ensure that the heliport meets the special requirements for obstacle limitation surfaces for instrument FATOs set out in the applicable heliport standard.

[305.30 reserved]

Division VII — Visual Aids for Air Navigation

• 305.31 (1) The operator of a heliport shall equip the heliport with at least one wind direction indicator and meet the requirements for wind direction indicators set out in the applicable heliport standard.

• (2) The operator of a heliport shall meet the requirements for heliport markings set out in the applicable heliport standard in respect of

  • (a) heliport identification marking;

  • (b) in the case of a hospital heliport, hospital heliport identification marking;

  • (c) an aiming point marking for each FATO;

  • (d) FATO edge marking;

  • (e) a FATO designation marking for each FATO;

  • (f) a FATO centre line marking for each FATO;

  • (g) approach and take-off direction indicator marking;

  • (h) a TLOF edge marking for each TLOF;

  • (i) the maximum allowable helicopter weight marking for each TLOF;

  • (j) the following taxiway markings:

    • (i) taxiway centre line marking,

    • (ii) taxiway holding position marking, and

    • (iii) taxiway edge marking;

  • (k) where the apron edge is not easily identifiable, an apron edge marking;

  • (l) where a helicopter parking position is provided, a helicopter parking position marking;

  • (m) where a helicopter parking position is provided and helicopters are required to have a specific alignment on the parking position, an alignment marking;

  • (n) where a helicopter parking position is not large enough for the largest helicopter for which the heliport is designed or where the size of the parking position is limited by the minimum separation requirement to an obstacle or an adjacent parking position, a helicopter parking position information marking; and

  • (o) where passengers are required to walk on a specific path on an apron between a helicopter parking position and the passenger terminal, an apron passenger path marking.

[305.32 reserved]

Division VIII — Lights

• 305.33 (1) The operator of a heliport shall extinguish, screen or otherwise modify a ground light, other than an aeronautical ground light, that may cause confusion to heliport users within the heliport boundary or other spaces within the boundaries of the control of the heliport operator.

• (2) The operator of a heliport shall meet the requirements set out in the applicable heliport standard in respect of the installation of

  • (a) elevated approach lights;

  • (b) elevated lights for operational areas;

  • (c) inset lights;

  • (d) light intensity and control; and

  • (e) a heliport beacon.

• (3) The operator of a heliport equipped with a non-instrument FATO that is certified to be available for use at night shall provide an approach and take-off direction light that meets the requirements set out in the applicable heliport standard where

  • (a) at least one approach and departure path is required to be indicated to pilots; or

  • (b) obstacle clearance, noise abatement or air traffic control procedures require that a specific direction be flown.

• (4) The operator of a heliport shall provide a visual approach slope indicator system that meets the requirements set out in the applicable heliport standard where

  • (a) there are inadequate visual references;

  • (b) obstacle clearance, noise abatement or air traffic control procedures require that a particular slope be flown; or

  • (c) the surrounding terrain may produce misleading information.

• (5) Where a heliport approach path indicator or an abbreviated heliport approach path indicator is provided at a heliport, the visual approach slope indicator system shall meet the general design requirements and specific requirements set out in the applicable heliport standard.

• (6) The operator of a heliport shall monitor the visual approach slope indicator system provided at a heliport in accordance with the requirements of the applicable heliport standard.

• (7) Where a visual approach slope indicator system is provided, the operator of a heliport shall provide an obstacle protection surface (OPS) in accordance with the applicable heliport standard.

• (8) The operator of a heliport shall provide FATO lights that meet the requirements of the applicable heliport standard for

  • (a) a surface-level heliport unless the FATO and the TLOF are coincidental or the extent of the FATO is conspicuous;

  • (b) an instrument FATO; and

  • (c) where an illuminated TLOF is not provided, a FATO that is certified to be available for use at night unless the FATO edge marking is clearly visible to heliport users by means of external floodlighting.

• (9) Where a TLOF is not located within a FATO that is certified to be available for use at night, the operator of a heliport shall ensure the aiming point is illuminated in accordance with the applicable heliport standard.

• (10) The operator of a heliport shall provide TLOF lights consisting of perimeter lights, floodlights or luminescent panels for a TLOF that is certified to be available for use at night and, if the perimeter of the TLOF is not coincidental with that of the FATO, in accordance with the requirements of the applicable heliport standard.

• (11) Where a rejected take-off area is established for a surface-level heliport that is certified to be available for use at night, the operator of a heliport shall provide in that area rejected take-off area lights in accordance with the requirements of the applicable heliport standard.

• (12) The operator of a heliport shall provide taxiway centre line lights in accordance with the requirements of the applicable heliport standard for a taxiway that is used in runway visual range conditions of less than 1200 feet or in conditions of ground visibility of less than one-quarter statute mile.

• (13) The operator of a heliport shall provide taxiway edge lights in accordance with the requirements of the applicable heliport standard for a taxiway that is available at a heliport that is certified to be available for use at night and that is not provided with taxiway centre line lights.

• (14) Where an apron is available at a heliport that is certified to be available for use at night, the operator of the heliport shall provide apron edge lights, retro-reflective edge markers or apron floodlighting in accordance with the requirements of the applicable heliport standard.

[305.34 reserved]

Division IX — Markers

• 305.35 (1) The operator of a heliport shall ensure that the markers installed at the heliport are either flush mounted or lightweight and frangibly mounted and in accordance with the requirements of the applicable heliport standard.

• (2) The operator of a heliport shall provide FATO markers where

  • (a) a FATO edge marking is not provided; and

  • (b) the extent of the FATO and the adjacent ground is not conspicuous.

• (3) The operator of a heliport shall provide ground taxiway edge markers in accordance with the requirements of the applicable heliport standard if the helicopters must travel along a ground taxiway to or from a FATO to an apron, unless

  • (a) the edges of the taxiway are conspicuous;

  • (b) taxiway centre line lights are provided;

  • (c) taxiway edge lights are provided; or

  • (d) taxiway centre line markers are provided.

• (4) The operator of a heliport shall provide air taxiway markers if the helicopters must travel by air to or from a FATO to an apron via a specific corridor in accordance with the applicable heliport standard.

[305.36 reserved]

Division X — Visual Aids for Denoting Obstacles

Requirements for Marking or Lighting Obstacles

• 305.37 (1) Subject to subsection (4), the operator of a heliport shall ensure that obstacles, other than aircraft, on the movement, manoeuvring and safety areas of the heliport are marked and lighted as follows:

  • (a) vehicles and other mobile obstacles on the movement area shall be marked so as to be visible to pilots during aircraft operations;

  • (b) where the heliport is used at night or in conditions of low visibility, vehicles and other mobile obstacles on the manoeuvring area shall be lighted;

  • (c) elevated aeronautical ground lights on the movement area shall be marked so as to be conspicuous by day; and

  • (d) in accordance with the applicable heliport standard, a fixed obstacle located on the safety area shall be

    • (i) marked, and

    • (ii) where the heliport is certified to be available for use at night, lighted.

• (2) The operator of a heliport shall mark and, if the heliport is certified to be available for use at night, light fixed obstacles located within the area identified in the applicable heliport standard, except where the obstacle is

  • (a) shielded by another fixed obstacle that is marked in accordance with Standard 621;

  • (b) conspicuous by reason of its shape, dimensions or colour;

  • (c) identified in an aeronautical evaluation as being sufficiently lit by ambient light at night; or

  • (d) not more than 150 m above the adjacent ground and lighted in accordance with Standard 621.

• (3) The operator of a heliport where a fixed obstacle that is more than 150 m above the surrounding ground is located within the area identified in the applicable heliport standard shall

  • (a) light the obstacle by high-intensity obstacle lights by day in accordance with Standard 621; or

  • (b) mark the obstacle in accordance with the applicable heliport standard.

• (4) The operator of a heliport shall mark an elevated obstacle on the helicopter ground taxiway strips and, where the heliport is certified to be available for use at night, light the obstacle.

• (5) The operator of a heliport shall mark and, if applicable, light an obstacle referred to in subsection (2) unless an aeronautical evaluation determines that

  • (a) the obstacle is conspicuous by reason of its shape, dimensions or colour; or

  • (b) retro-reflective tape or markers are sufficiently conspicuous to be used instead of lights.