Minnesota Administrative Rules

8800.1800 PUBLIC HELIPORT LICENSING.

Subpart 1.

Application.

A "public heliport" is a public airport as defined in part 8800.0100. For public heliports, the minimum design helicopter characteristics are a rotor diameter of 37 feet, an overall length of 43 feet, and an undercarriage length and width of ten feet.

Subp. 1a.

Minimum requirements.

A public heliport must be granted a license when it has met the general provisions of parts 8800.1400 and 8800.1500 and the minimum requirements of this part.

Subp. 2.

[Repealed, 30 SR 215]

Subp. 3.

Obstructions.

An object is considered an obstruction to a public heliport if it is of greater height than any of the following heliport imaginary surfaces:

A.

heliport primary surface that coincides in size and shape with the designated final approach and takeoff area (FATO) as defined in the latest edition of the FAA Heliport Design Advisory Circular No. 150/5390-2B, which is incorporated by reference, is not subject to frequent change, and is conveniently available to the public at the state law library in St. Paul;

B.

heliport approach surface as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 14, part 77, and, for heliports with instrument approaches, the latest edition of the FAA Heliport Design Advisory Circular;

C.

heliport transitional surface as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 14, part 77, for heliports without instrument approach procedures and the latest edition of the FAA Heliport Design Advisory Circular for heliports with instrument approaches;

D.

heliport safety area as defined in the latest edition of the FAA Heliport Design Advisory Circular; or

E.

traverse ways, but only after their heights have been increased as described in part 8800.1200, subpart 2.

Subp. 4.

Touchdown and liftoff area (TLOF).

The touchdown and liftoff area (TLOF) is a load-bearing, generally paved area, normally centered in the FATO, on which the helicopter lands or takes off. The TLOF minimum size is as defined in the latest edition of the FAA Heliport Design Advisory Circular.

Subp. 5.

[Repealed, 30 SR 215]

Subp. 6.

Approach-departure paths.

Approach-departure paths must be selected with consideration for prevailing winds and the availability of emergency landing areas along the paths. These paths begin at the edge of the FATO and extend outward and upward as described in subpart 3, item B. A visual approach surface may be curved. If the approach-departure path is curved, its centerline must have a turning radius of not less than 700 feet and the curved portion of the path must begin at a distance not less than 300 feet from the FATO.

A public heliport must have at least two approach-departure paths, which must be separated by an arc of at least 90 degrees.

Subp. 7.

Fuel.

All fuel dispensed on the public heliport for aircraft use must be filtered to be free of solid matter in excess of five microns particle size and to have a free water content of less than 30 parts per million parts of fuel.

Subp. 8.

Fire extinguishers.

At least one properly maintained fire extinguisher must be available if fuel is dispensed. It must be a minimum of 20-B rating or its equivalent.

Subp. 9.

Wind sock.

All public heliports must be equipped with an operable wind sock, three feet by 12 feet, blaze orange in color. If the heliport is lighted for night operations, the wind sock must also be lighted.

Subp. 10.

Safety barriers.

Access to the FATO and the heliport safety area, if any, must be fenced or protected to keep unauthorized persons out of these areas. Suitable placards warning of the dangers of turning rotors must be prominently displayed in pedestrian access areas. If a fence is used, it must not penetrate the heliport imaginary surfaces described in subpart 3.

Subp. 11.

Rooftop egress.

Rooftop heliports must have exits on different sides of the TLOF.

Subp. 12.

[Repealed, 30 SR 215]

Subp. 13.

Transport heliports.

A "transport heliport" is a heliport intended to accommodate air carrier operators providing scheduled or unscheduled service with large helicopters. Transport heliports must meet the standards for transport heliports in the latest edition of the FAA heliport design advisory circular.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 14.388; 360.015; 360.018; 360.03; 360.90

History:

30 SR 215; 31 SR 350

Published Electronically:

October 2, 2007