Mich. Admin. Code R. 259.247

Current through Vol. 24-21, December 1, 2024

Section R. 259.247 - Heliports

Rule 247.

(1) A heliport shall meet all of the following requirements:

(a) Employ an airport manager licensed by the commission.

(b) Contain a length and width of the landing area of at least 1&frac12 times the length of the helicopter using the facility.

(c) Contain at least 2 heliport approach surfaces free of obstructions. The heliport approach surface begins at the end of the heliport landing area with the same width as the landing area, and extending outward and upward for a horizontal distance of 4,000 feet where its width is 500 feet. The slope of the approach surface is 8 to 1. Two of the heliport approach surfaces provided shall be located to provide that their centerlines form an arc of not less than 90 degrees at their intersection. Each heliport approach surface shall provide an area suitable for an emergency landing during takeoff, climb-out, and landing.

(d) If a heliport is located on an elevated structure or roof, then the heliport shall comply with local building and fire codes. The landing area shall be designed to support 1.5 times the maximum gross weight of the largest helicopter authorized to use the heliport. When applying for a license, the applicant shall file a certificate signed by a professional engineer registered in this state, certifying structural compliance of the heliport.

(e) Contain a windcone or means of identifying wind direction.

(f) Ground level heliports shall have operational areas fenced or marked with caution signs to prevent the inadvertent or unauthorized entry of persons or vehicles.

(g) Signs indicating a heliport. The signs shall be located on the heliport's perimeter.

(h) Maintain a clearly marked automobile parking area.

(i) Maintain an itinerant aircraft parking area.

(j) Maintain a clearly marked entrance from a public road.

(k) A telephone that is available to the public 24 hours daily on the heliport and the telephone's location clearly indicated.

(l) An administration building or terminal building with sanitary facilities available to the public.

(2) A hospital heliport shall meet all of the following requirements:

(a) Be reserved solely for air ambulance use or other hospital-related functions.

(b) Have an airport manager, appointed by the hospital heliport owner or operator, who is licensed by the commission within 90 days after his or her appointment.

(c) Have a final approach and takeoff area, the minimum dimensions of which are at least 1&frac12 times the overall length of the largest helicopter authorized to use the hospital heliport.

(d) Have final approach and takeoff areas positioned to provide a minimum safety region of at least 10 feet or 1/3 of the rotor length of the largest helicopter that will land at the site, measured from the edge of the final approach and takeoff area to the obstacle nearest that area.

(e) Have at least 1 approach or takeoff path that is aligned as nearly as possible with the dominant winds, but that may deviate from that alignment to avoid objects or noise-sensitive areas or use airspace above public lands.

(f) Be capable of being secured to prohibit the inadvertent or unauthorized entry of persons or vehicles.

(g) If the heliport is at ground level, the operational heliport areas shall be fenced or marked with caution signs to prohibit the inadvertent or unauthorized entry of persons or vehicles.

(h) Signs indicating a heliport. The signs shall be located on the heliport's perimeter.

(i) The touchdown and liftoff area is a paved hard surface.

(j) Have a lighted wind direction indicator.

(k) Provide suitable lighting at the hospital heliport's perimeter for night operations, and that lighting at a minimum includes lights at each corner of the final approach and takeoff area.

(l) Have identification markings present at the hospital heliport site that conform to Federal Aviation Administration standards for hospital heliports.

(3) A hospital helistop shall meet all of the following requirements:

(a) Have a person responsible for the daily operation of the hospital helistop, appointed by the owner or operator of the hospital helistop who, as determined by that owner or operator, meets the minimum standards established by the commission.

(b) Within 90 days after appointing a responsible person who is in charge of the daily operation of the hospital helistop, the owner or operator of the hospital helistop shall provide the commission in writing with the name of the responsible person who is in charge of the daily operation of the hospital helistop and identify the manner in which the commission may contact that responsible person in the event of an emergency.

(c) The hospital helistop is reserved solely for air ambulance use or other hospital-related functions.

(d) Have at least 1 suitable helicopter approach path that is identified and free of obstacles.

(e) Have a wind direction indicator.

(f) Have appropriate permanent or temporary lighting available for night operations.

(g) Have adequate security to prevent bystanders from approaching a helicopter as it lands or departs.

(4) A pilot of a helicopter landing at a hospital helistop or heliport shall receive prior permission to land at the hospital helistop or heliport from the hospital helistop or a responsible person.

Mich. Admin. Code R. 259.247

1979 AC; 1985 AACS; 1998-2000 AACS