Helipad size and location

Sometimes a helicopter is simply unable to carry a heavy load out of or into a helipad as it cannot produce enough power in the local ambient conditions to climb vertically or take off horizontally (usually at higher DAs).

If there is enough safe horizontal clearance, well trained pilots can make use of local wind and a helicopter feature - "transition" - to get the job done. You can help the pilot get your job done safely and efficiently by selecting a helipad site which has more area to enable transition. Talk to your contractor - they will tell you what is needed.

"Transition" -  a bonus helicopter feature.

Definition: movement of the rotor disc forward or into the local wind, from a hover, to a more efficient air speed at which the disc requires less power while maintaining the same height above the ground with the same load.

Mr. Gravity has a strong influence on any object on this wonderful planet Earth. Helicopters require lots of engine power to hover, especially at high weight and Density Altitude (above sea level, temp above 15 degrees C, high humidity) as gravity is so strong.

By moving forward and increasing their speed in relation to the parcel of air surrounding them, the helicopter's rotor disc becomes much more efficient which means that less power is required to achieve the same height above the ground.

The magic figure for most helicopters is between 10 and 15 Kts. If it were a still day, the helicopter would be traveling at the same speed (10-15 Kts) in relation to the ground. However on a windy day, say with a wind of 20 Kts and pointing into the wind, the helicopter can lift off and already be through transition and therefore could carry more useful load than on a calm day.

Hint: If you are flying in a light helicopter where the pilot seems unaware of the wind direction, no matter how light/strong a breeze is blowing, make a point of asking him/her which way the wind is coming from. If they haven't a clue - tell them the wind direction as the safety of the operation could be jeopardized by landing or taking off downwind as, below transition, the helicopter may require heaps of extra power. It could be that the pilot has not noticed a wind change due their high work load.