Ground-Level Helipad Construction
Ground-level helipad construction covers the FATO, TLOF and safety area, a bearing pavement in reinforced concrete or asphalt, shoulders, drainage, perimeter fence and access. Geometry follows GACAR Part 138, ICAO Annex 14 Volume II and FAA AC 150/5390-2C for the owner's design helicopter, anywhere in the Kingdom, with drawings, test records and a handover pack for the GACA submission.
A ground-level helipad is a set of defined areas on prepared ground. The FATO (final approach and take-off area) is the surface over which the approach ends and the take-off begins. The TLOF (touchdown and lift-off area) is the load-bearing surface inside it where the helicopter actually lands. Around both sits a safety area. The sizes of all three come from the design helicopter's overall dimension with rotors turning (the D-value), and the pavement strength from its maximum take-off mass (MTOM). The owner fixes the design helicopter before drawings are issued, and everything else follows from it.
The geometry rules are GACAR Part 138 for heliports in the Kingdom, ICAO Annex 14 Volume II for the international basis, and FAA AC 150/5390-2C where the specification cites it. NLS Contractors builds to the dimensions, slopes and surface requirements on the issued drawings. It does not set the design helicopter.
The scope is civil. It starts with subgrade preparation and compaction, then a bearing pavement for the TLOF in reinforced concrete or asphalt as the design shows. Shoulders and the safety area are surfaced or stabilised so rotor downwash does not lift loose material. Drainage falls and outlets, a perimeter fence and the access road or taxi route complete the site works. Concrete is common for the TLOF because it tolerates fuel and hydraulic fluid better than asphalt, but the specification decides. Quality records matter here: compaction results for subgrade and base, concrete cube results, reinforcement inspection records and survey levels.
Visual aids complete the pad: the H marking, the TLOF perimeter marking, the maximum weight marking, perimeter lights and a wind direction indicator. Supply of aviation lighting sits with Northlane Solutions (northlanesolution.com), and installation is covered under helipad electrical and lighting installation.
GACA approval belongs to the owner and runs through the consultant. The handover pack is built to support that submission: construction drawings, concrete and compaction records, as-builts, and the marking and lighting datasheets.
To price a ground-level helipad in any city of the Kingdom, send the IFC drawings, the heliport specification clauses, the design helicopter, the geotechnical report and the BOQ. Price and lead time depend on the scope and the ground conditions, and the offer states both.
Specifications
- ✓Areas: FATO, TLOF and safety area sized from the owner's design helicopter (D-value), pavement strength from its MTOM
- ✓Bearing pavement in reinforced concrete or asphalt, shoulders, drainage falls, perimeter fence and access
- ✓Geometry per GACAR Part 138, ICAO Annex 14 Volume II and FAA AC 150/5390-2C
- ✓Visual aids: H marking, TLOF perimeter, maximum weight marking, perimeter lights, wind direction indicator
- ✓Handover: construction drawings, concrete cube and compaction records, as-builts, marking and lighting datasheets
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the FATO, the TLOF and the safety area?+
The FATO is the final approach and take-off area. The TLOF is the load-bearing touchdown surface inside it. The safety area surrounds the FATO. All three are sized from the design helicopter.
Is concrete or asphalt used for the helipad surface?+
Either can be specified. Reinforced concrete is common for the TLOF because it tolerates fuel and hydraulic fluid spills better. The drawings and the heliport specification decide, and the offer prices what they show.
Who decides the size of the helipad?+
The owner, by naming the design helicopter, with the consultant applying GACAR Part 138 and Annex 14 Volume II. The contractor builds to the dimensions on the issued drawings.
Do you supply the helipad lights?+
Aviation lighting supply sits with Northlane Solutions. NLS Contractors installs the lights, power, control and earthing as part of the works package, or installs fixtures the client has already supplied.
Who supplies Ground-Level Helipad Construction in Saudi Arabia?+
NLS Contractors (Northlane Solutions Company) supplies Ground-Level Helipad Construction across Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Jubail. Send your specification and quantities to info@nlscontractors.com or info@northlanesolution.com for a quotation.