ICAO ANNEX 14 - Home - Helicopter Association International

ICAO ‘ANNEX 14 UPDATE’ 

(ICAO Annex 14 Volume II –Heliports) 

WORKSHOP #1 

Dr John W. Leverton 

IFHA Representative to ICAO Aerodrome Panel 

HAI Heliport Design Focal Point 

Advisor - Infrastructure Development, AHS 

ICAO ‘Annex 14 Update’ Workshop – HAI HeliExpo 2012 

Leverton Associates International

ANNEX 14 Vol II 

WORKSHOP 

Comments based on my involvement as the IFHA Representative to the ICAO 

Aerodrome Panel (AP), the Heliport Design Working Group (HDWG), the 

Visual Aids Working Group (VAWG) and associated Sub-groups … 

…. and Rapporteur of the HDWG Visual Aids Sub-group (VASG). 

COMMENTS SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN AS STATEMENT OF 

ACTUAL ICAO POLICY OR WHAT WILL APPEAR IN THE NEW 

‘TRANCHE 2’ ICAO ANNEX 14 VOLUME II - HELIPORT DESIGN 

TO BE ISSUED IN 2013!! 

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ARE MY OWN 

AND MUST NOT BE TAKEN AS BEING 

REPRESENTATIVE OF THOSE OF THE 

ICAO AP, ICAO HDWG, IFHA, HAI OR AHS. 



International Federation of Helicopter Associations 

IFHA 



ANNEX 14 Vol II 

WORKSHOP 

Please note that I will NOT cover all aspects in the 

Annex 14 Vol II … I will only address those issues 

which I consider important and those which I have 

been asked questions about during many meetings I 

have attended. 

Also Note that ‗Annex 14 Vol II‘ is referenced simply 

‗Annex 14‘ or ‗ICAO Annex 14‘ on many charts. 



ICAO ANNEX 14 Vol II 

HELIPORTS 

(Heliports/Helidecks 

Shipboard Heliports) 



Annex 14 UPDATE - PROGRESS 

•HDSG formed late 2003 

•HDSG/1 Meeting May 2004 [AP formed Dec 2004] 

•HDWG/1 Meeting June 2005 

[Agreed changes should be addressed in 2 parts – tranche 1 and 2] 

•HDWG/2 – June 2006 

•First set of changes (Tranche 1) agreed at HDWG/2 (June 2006) – 

Changes endorsed by the „WG of the Whole‟ at WGoTH/3 meeting 

(August 2006) 

•Approved by Aerodrome Panel at AP/1 December 2006. 

• Tranche 1 Changes approved by ICAO ANC May 2007 

• ICAO „State Letter‟ ** issued with „Tranche 1 changes‟ August 2007. 

** State Letter included also changes to Annex 14 Volume 1 related to Aerodromes 



• „Tranche 1‟ – 3 rd Edition issued July 2009 

• „Tranche 1‟ - Applicable 19 November 2009 

• HDWG/4 – October 2008 

• HDWG/5 – November 2009 


• „Tranche 2‟ - changes „nominally „endorsed by the „WG of the Whole‟ 

at WGoTH/6 meeting March 2010. Major objections/changes raised by 

France – Special Meeting June 2010 – slightly amended version agreed. 

• Approved by Aerodrome Panel at AP/2 October 2010. 

• „Tranche 2 Changes to be reviewed by ICAO ANC 8 March 2011. 

• ICAO „State Letter‟ to issued with „Tranche 2 changes‟ July 2011. 

• Initial Aim: Tranche 2 to be issued 2012 – Large number of comments 

and issue will now be 2013. 



„Tranche 2‟ (2013) 

Please note that since „Tranche 2‟ changes to 

Annex 14 Vol II will NOT be issued until March 

2013, the comments and statements in this 

presentation are based on the „State Letter‟ 

version issued in July 2010: subsequent changes 

maybe made by ICAO before the final version of 

„tranche 2‟ is issued – please take this into 

account when considering my comments. 




HDWG Rapporteur „stepped down‟ at the 2 ed Aerodrome 

Panel (AP2 - October 2010) - Shortly after AP2 New 

HDWG Rapporteur from Canada Appointed– Initial post- 

AP2 meeting of HDWG held in France in July 2011 …. but 

Rapporteur „stepped down‟ immediately after meeting! 

HDWG members agreed to continue the Sub-group 

activities but UK objected and refused to take part until 

new HDWG Rapporteur appointed!! Hence no active work 

since that time. 

Still no HDWG Rapporteur ….. Even so it is hoped to „restart‟ 

the Sub-group activities in next 3 months. 



CURRENT STATUS 

• Updated Annex 14 Volume II – Heliports (Tranche 1) 

.......... Issue July 2009: 

................applicability date 19 November 2009! 

Note: Some ‘helideck requirements’ have later applicability date of 2012 

•‘Tranche 2’ Changes approved at AP/2 October 2010 – State 

Letter to be issued June/July 2011. Aim to issue new Annex 14 

Volume II – Heliports (Tranche 2) in March 2013. [One year late.] 

• ……. even so some nations have started using „Tranche 2‟ 

changes!! 



Annex 14 STATUS 

Heliports (including helidecks and shipboard heliports) 

•Chapter 1: General (Definition) - main changes completed in ‘tranche 1’ - addition 

changes to be made in tranche 2 to cover ‘floating (pontoon) heliports’ etc., and to 

ensure requirements for VFM (VFR) heliports cover also heliports where an instrument 

(PinS) approach is used]. 

•Chapter 2: Heliport Data – No changes considered necessary. 

•Chapter 3: Physical Characteristics – main changes completed in ‘tranche 1’: some 

addition changes and new term ‘FATO/TLOF’ for elevated heliports and helidecks made 

in tranche 2. 

•Chapter 4: Obstacle Restriction and Removal (Airspace) : Study completed for VFM 

(VFR) heliports - issued as part of tranche 2. 

•Chapter 5: Visual Aids (Markings & Lighting) - minor changes issued in tranche 1 – 

changes to ‘markings’ issued as part of tranche 2, “lighting” still being ‘worked’ – 

changes to ‘lights’ to be made post-tranche 2. 

•Chapter 6: Heliport Services (Fire Fighting) – being addressed by separate RFFWG 



FUTURE ICAO WORK PROGRAM 

a) Incorporation of Heliport Certification requirements and Safety 

Management System (SMS) requirements into Annex 14,Volume II 

b) Study of the „Applicability‟ of Annex 14, Volume II 

c) Comprehensive revision of Annex 14, Volume II, Section 5.3, Lights 

d) Review of „Airway Width‟ specifications for visual heliports and 

development of specifications for heliports with instrument approaches and 

departures. 

e) Revised and updated guidance material for Doc 9261 Heliport Manual ** 

e) Comprehensive restructure of Annex 14, Volume II [The need for this is 

being questioned by some States!] 

** this is of major importance since Manual will detail how to apply ‘Annex 14 Volume II’ 



Annex 14 Future Work 

ICAO agreed –at AP1 (Dec 2006)- for Annex 14 to be reformatted to 

make it easier to use – the existing and „new‟ text will be grouped in 

the following Chapters:- 

Chapter 1. General 

Chapter 2. Surface-level Heliports 

Chapter 3. Elevated Heliports 

Chapter 4. Instrument Heliports 

Chapter 5. Helidecks 

Chapter 6. Shipboard Heliports and Winching Areas 

... and each Chapter will consist of the following sections:- 

1. General 

2. Heliport Data 

3. Physical Characteristics 

4. Obstacle Restriction and Removal 

5. Visual Aids 

5.1Marking 

5.2Lights 

6. Heliport Services 



Annex 14 Future Work 

Annex 14 to be reformatted to make it easier to use – the existing and 

„new‟ text will be grouped in the following Chapters:- 

Chapter 1. General 

Chapter 2. Surface-level Heliports 

Chapter 3. Elevated Heliports 

Chapter 4. Instrument Heliports 

Chapter 5. Helidecks 

Chapter 6. Shipboard Heliports and Winching Areas 

... and each Chapter will consist of the following sections:- 

1. General 

2. Heliport Data 

3. Physical Characteristics 

4. Obstacle Restriction and Removal 

5. Visual Aids 

5.1Marking 

5.2Lights 

6. Heliport Services 



PRESENTATION TERMINOLOGY 

‘Tranche 1’ Annex 14 : 

ICAO ANNEX 14: VOLUME II – HELIPORTS 

THIRD EDITION - JULY 2009 

[Referenced as Annex 14 in this presentation] 

*********************** 

FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5390-2B(2004) 

and new 150/5390-2C 

[Referenced as AC-2B and AC-2C in this presentation] 



ICAO DOCUMENTS 




ICAO ANNEX 14: VOLUME II – HELIPORTS 

THIRD EDITION – JULY 2009 

HELIPORT MANUAL; THIRD EDITION – 1995 

(DOC 9261 – AN/903) 

RELATED DOCUMENTS 

ICAO ANNEX 6, PART III INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS – 

HELICOPTERS: SIXTH EDITION – JULY 2004 

ICAO ANNEX 14, VOLUME I – AERODROME DESIGN AND OPERATIONS 

JULY 1990 










ICAO Heliport Manual, which is out of date and 

incorrect in some sections folowing the issue of the 

Tranche 1 changes, needs to be updated: HDWG has 

starting work on the sections on helidecks … no 

specific plans for addressing heliports: aim was to 

decide by 3 rd quarter of 2011 (!!!) but since there is 

currently no HDWG Rapporteur not clear when it will 

be decided…. even so a replacement will not be 

available for a number of years!! 



‘Free Field‘ * Performance Class 1* 

‗Elongated FATO‟* Performance Class 2 & 3 

Silverstone 

Paris 

* NOT ICAO terms 



‘Free Field‘ * Performance Class 1* 

‗Elongated FATO‟* Performance Class 2 & 3 

Tranche 2 – to be called “Runway-type FATOs.” 

Silverstone 

Paris 

Runway-type FATO. A FATO having characteristics similar in shape to a runway.. 

* NOT ICAO terms 



ELEVATED HELIPORTS 



SURFACE LEVEL HELIORTS 


JW 


HELIDECKS 



SHIPBOARD HELIPORT 



Proposed „Tranche 2‟ Definition Changes 

Floating (Pontoon) Heliport 

Heliport on „structure‟ over water 

Melbourne, Australia 

Surface-level heliport. A heliport located on the ground or on 

the water. 

Tranche 2 Proposal: 

Surface-level heliport. A heliport located on the ground or on 

a structure on the surface of the water. 

Elevated heliport. A heliport located on a raised structure on land 

Tranche 2 Proposal: 

Elevated heliport. A heliport located on a raised structure on land. 



AIM OF PRESENTATION 

•EXPLANATION OF TERMINOLOGY AND CONCEPTS USED IN 


•DISCUSSION AND OUTLINE OF :- 

(i) Changes in Annex 14 „tranche 1‟ issued July 2009 

(ii) „Tranche 2‟ changes approved by ICAO AP2 

(iii) outline of some „Post-Tranche 2‟ changes. 

(iii) Review of main differences between US/FAA Heliport Design AC 

150/5390-2B and new 2C (AC-2B/AC-2C) and ICAO Annex 14 

„standards and recommended practices‟ (SARPS) for heliports 







(i) Changes in Annex 14 „tranche 1‟ issued July 2009 




150/5390-2B (AC-2B) and ICAO Annex 14 „standards and 

recommended practices‟ (SARPS) for heliports 






NOTE: MAIN FOCUS OF PRESENTATION 

GENERAL AVIATION „TYPE‟ 


PERFORMANCE (i) Changes in Annex 14 „tranche CLASS 1‟ issued 2 July AND 20093 (CAT B) 

HELIPORTS …. but I will mention 

Performance Class 1 Heliports. 




150/5390-2B PRESENTATION (AC-2B) and ICAO Annex 14 COVERS 

„standards and 

recommended practices‟ (SARPS) for heliports 

VFR/VMC REQUIREMENTS ONLY ***. 

*** also cover heliports with PinS approaches 



SCOPE OF „TRANCHE 1‟ 

1.2 Applicability 

Note.— The dimensions discussed in this Annex are based on 

consideration of single-main-rotor helicopters. For tandemrotor 

helicopters the heliport design will be based on a case-bycase 

review of the specific models using the basic requirement 

for a safety area and protection areas specified in this Annex. 



PROPOSED SCOPE OF „TRANCHE 2‟ 







The specifications of the main chapters of this Annex are 

applicable for visual heliports that may or may not incorporate 

the use of a Point-in-space approach. 



PROPOSED SCOPE OF „TRANCHE 2‟ 







The specifications of the main chapters of this Annex are 

applicable for visual heliports that may or may not incorporate 

the use of a Point-in-space approach. Additional specifications 

for instrument heliports with non-precision and/or precision 

approaches and instrument departures are detailed in 

Appendix 2. The specifications of this Annex are not applicable 

for water heliports. 



HELIPORT TERMINOLOGY 

FATO and TLOF can be any shape – usually square or round 

TLOF located 

in a FATO 

FATO 

Safety 

Area 

FATO: Final Approach and Takeoff Area 

TLOF: Touchdown and Liftoff Area 

TLOF 




TLOF can be outside of FATO located in a helicopter stand 

FATO 

Helicopter Stand 

Safety 

Area 

Protection Area 

TLOF/Central Zone 






TLOF can be outside of FATO located in a helicopter stand 

FATO 

Helicopter Stand 

Safety 

Area 

Protection Area 

TLOF/Central Zone 





PRESENTATION TERMINOLOGY 

RD = ROTOR DIAMETER 

D = „D-value‟ = OVERALL LENGTH (OL) 

UCw = UNDERCARRIAGE WIDTH/LENGTH 

PC1, PC2 & PC 3 is used to refer to heliports designed on 

the assumption that they are “intended to be used by 

helicopters operated in performance class 1” or 

“performance class 2 and 3” respectively. 

The „diagrams‟, although illustrating the approximate relative sizes are 

NOT to scale - this is not stated on all diagrams. 



PERFORMANCE CLASSIFICATIONS 

PERFORMANCE CLASS 1 

TDP 

AEO 

OEI 

200 ft 

FATO 

Reject T/O Distance 


AEO 

OE 

I 

200 ft 

FATO 

Safe forced landing – outside heliport 


AEO 

FATO 


[Chart Based on Figures supplied by Jim Lyons] 



US (FAA) AC150/5390-2B 

FAA AC 150/5390-2B-2B (AC-2B) Heliport Design was issued 

on 9/30/04 (30 September 2004) and is available on a number 

of FAA and other web sites - the following is one useful web 

site to obtain the document:- 

http://www.faa.gov/arp/publications/acs/5390-2/5390-2b.pdf 

Hardcopies are NOT available from the FAA – they are 

available from a number of commercial suppliers at a fee. 

NOTE: AC-2B is an ―Advisory Circular‖ i.e. Guidelines … but it 

is a Requirement for heliports which are built using Federal 

Funds and is a Requirements in a number of the US States. 



Annex 14/FAA 

MAJOR DIFFERENCES 

ICAO ANNEX 14 ~ FAA AC 150-5390-2B* 

• ANNEX 14 BASED ON “OPERATIONAL 

PERFORMANCE” REQUIREMENTS (HELICOPTER 

PERFORMANCE CLASS) DEFINED IN ANNEX 6 

• FAA AC-2B BASED ON HELIPORT TYPE (USE). 

• Main Technical Differences 

• Load Bearing Area Size Requirements** 

• Airspace Requirements 

*Issued by FAA in September 2004. 

** Differences between „Annex 14 Vol II‟ and FAA AC-2B are, in practice, 

considerably less as a result of the „tranche 1‟ changes. 



ELEVATED HELIPORTS 

FATO AND TLOF are “coincidental” 

(i.e. SAME SIZE – 1D or 0.83 D)… and FATO IS DLB. 

[Also applies to Helidecks] 

DLB = Dynamic Load Bearing ** 

In „tranche 2‟ new term FATO/TLOF introduced to cover elevated 

heliport and helidecks. 

• * 

** Currently difference in DLB requirements in FAA AC-2B and Annex 14: 

FAA 1.5 x MTOW 

Annex 14 2.5 x MTOM 

[Both applied through 2 points of contact.] 

Note: DLB covered in Heliport Manual – NOT addressed in Annex 14 – 

not reviewed to date by HDWG or any Sub-group. 

ICAO/International MTOM (Max Takeoff Mass) = US MTOW (Max Takeoff Weight) 



DIFFERENCES 

AC-2B/AC-2C ANNEX 14 

PARKING POSITION * = HELICOPTER STAND 

HOVER-TAXI = AIR-TAXI ** 

* Often termed „Parking Area‟ 

** „Hover Turns‟ - implied in „Tranche 1‟ (2009) and referenced in „Tranche 2‟ 



ICAO FRAMEWORK 

• PPR (Private Use) Heliports Not Directly Considered In 

Annex 14 [Only Brief Reference To PPR Heliports Made In This Presentation] 

• Annex 14 covers Hospital Heliports ** - Most European Nations 

consider Annex 14 PC1 Requirements Apply To All „Public Interest‟ 

Facilities including Hospital Heliports. 

• “Europe” considers Hospital Heliports should be designed 

for Performance Class 1 operations – requirement of JAR 

OPS 3 … 

... with a DLB Area (FATO + Safety area) of 2D 

** US/FAA considers HOSPITAL HELIPORTS are essentially special case of a 

General Aviation (GA) Heliport and akin to a „PRIVATE USE/PPR‟ Heliport – 

FAA have however proposed in AC-2C that requirements should follow in most 

cases those for GA Heliports. 



GENERAL 

• PC2 and PC3 Heliports in ICAO Annex 14 

corresponds to General Aviation Heliport in FAA 

AC. 

• PC1 Heliport in ICAO Annex 14 is approximately 

the same as Transport Heliport in FAA AC … but is 

Annex 14 based on PC1/Cat A performance rather 

than dimensions related to size of helicopter as in 

FAA AC-2B: in this case Annex 14 generally less 

demanding and more logical than FAA AC-2B! 



GENERAL 

• PC2 and PC3 Heliports in ICAO Annex 14 

corresponds to General Aviation Heliport in FAA 

AC. 

• PC1 Heliport in ICAO Annex 14 is approximately 

the same as Transport Heliport in FAA AC … but 

is Annex 14 based on PC1/Cat A performance 

rather that dimensions related to size of helicopter 

as in FAA AC-2B: Annex 14 generally less 

demanding and more logical than FAA AC-2B! 



HELIPORT TERMINOLOGY CHANGES 

PC2/PC3 Heliports 

2004 (Pre-tranche 1) Annex 14 

- FATO is equivalent to TLOF in FAA AC 

- TLOF of 1.5UC is similar to PPR ‘2UC paved portion 

of the TLOF’. 

‘New’ 2009 ‘Tranche 1’ Annex 14 

– FATO and TLOF in general terms same as in FAA AC 



ICAO ANNEX 14 - HELIPORTS 

• PERFORMANCE CLASS 1 (PC1) 

• PERFORMANCE CLASS 2 & 3 (PC2/PC3) 

NOTE: ICAO ANNEX 14 APPLIES TO SURFACE 

(GROUND) LEVEL AND ELEVATED HELIPORTS 

…….AND HELIDECKS 

US/FAA USES AIRWORTHINESS CATORGIES – CAT A and CAT B. 

THERE ARE NO FAA PERFORMANCE CLASS / CAT REQUIREMENTS 

RELATED TO OPERATIONS AT HELIPORTS – SOME 

„TRANSPORT/CAT A REQUIREMENTS‟ APPLIED IN CASE OF 

SCHEDULE OPERATIONS. 



PERFORMANCE 

REQUIREMENTS 

ICAO ANNEX 6*(JAR-OPS 3) 




US/FAA** 

CAT A 

CAT B*** 

CAT B 

*ANNEX 6: UPDATED/REVISED BY THE ICAO HELICOPTER TILTROTOR STUDY GROUP 

(HTSG) – New version issued in 2007. 

** CAT A (CATEGORY A) AND CAT B (CATEGORY B) ARE AIRWORTHINESS 

CERTIFICATION DESIGNATIONS. – 

*** PC 2 – AKIN TO “CAT B TAKEOFF AND LANDING + CAT A EN-ROUTE/CRUISE”: SOME 

US/FAA CAT A/OEI EN-ROUTE REQUIREMENTS. 





TDP 

AEO 

OEI 

200 ft 

FATO 



AEO 

OE 

I 

200 ft 

FATO 



AEO 

FATO 







‗Cat A‘ 

FATO 

TDP 

AEO 


OEI 

200 ft 


‗Cat A‘ Enroute - Cat B T/O + Land 

AEO 

OE 

I 

200 ft 

FATO 



‗Cat B‘ 

AEO 

FATO 






(FREE-FIELD) CAT. A. 

ICAO Annex 14 FATO 



„RESTRICTED FIELD LENGTH‟ CAT. A. 



PC1 GROUND SPACE 

Free-field/Clear-area Cat A 

FATO 

„Clearway‟: area to be protected – not required to be 

load bearing 



PC1 GROUND SPACE 

Restricted Area/Short-field Cat A 

Area defined in the 

Helicopter or Rotorcraft 

Flight Manual (H/RFM) 

„Clearway‟: area to be 

protected – not required to 

be load bearing 



IMPACT OF HELIDECK HEIGHT 



IMPACT OF HELIPORT HEIGHT 

„NO-Drop Down‟ for Scheduled!! 

Ground Level 



ICAO/FAA RELATIONSHIP? 

ICAO 

FAA 

NO DIRECT 

PC 1 

TRANSPORT 

PC 2 

GENERAL AVIATION* 

PC 3 

RELATIONSHIP 

HOSPITAL 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

GROUND 

ICAO ANNEX 14 – FAA AC 

GROUND 

BUT …… 

ELEVATED 

HELIDECKS 

ELEVATED 

[Not addressed by FAA] 

* ALSO INCLUDES PRIVATE USE/PPR 



MAJOR DIFFERENCES 

ICAO ANNEX 14 ~ FAA AC 150-5390-2B* 

• ANNEX 14 BASED ON ―OPERATIONAL 

PERFORMANCE‖ REQUIREMENTS (HELICOPTER 

PERFORMANCE CLASSES) 

• FAA AC-2B BASED ON HELIPORT USE. 

• MAIN TECHNICAL DIFFERENCES 

• LOAD BEARING AREA REQUIREMENTS 

• AIRPSACE REQUIREMENTS 

* ISSUED BY FAA IN SEPTEMBER 2004. 



GROUND SPACE FATO 

• ICAO ANNEX 14* „LINKED‟ TO ICAO ANNEX 6 

i.e. DESIGN REQUIREMENTS LINKED TO HELICOPTER PERFORMANCE CLASS 

(PERFORMANCE CLASS 1, 2 AND 3) 

• FAA AC 150/5390-2B „RELATED‟ TO HELIPORT USE 

GENERAL AVIATION [PRIVATE USE/PPR] 

HOSPITAL 

TRANSPORT 

i.e. NO DIRECT „LINK‟ BETWEEN DESIGN AND OPERATIONAL / 

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS 

*AND ASSOCIATED HELIPORT MANUAL 



End of this section …. 

…… MORE TO COME

ICAO ANNEX 14 - Home - Helicopter Association International

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