AIM

4/3/14

4−3−18

Airport Operations

combinations. ATC clearances are in no way intended

to place the helicopter in a hazardous position. It is

expected that pilots will advise ATC if a specific

clearance will cause undue hazards to persons or

property.

b.

Controllers normally limit ATC ground service

and instruction to movement areas; therefore,

operations from nonmovement areas are conducted at

pilot discretion and should be based on local policies,

procedures, or letters of agreement. In order to

maximize the flexibility of helicopter operations, it is

necessary to rely heavily on sound pilot judgment.

For example, hazards such as debris, obstructions,

vehicles, or personnel must be recognized by the

pilot, and action should be taken as necessary to avoid

such hazards. Taxi, hover taxi, and air taxi operations

are considered to be ground movements. Helicopters

conducting such operations are expected to adhere to

the same conditions, requirements, and practices as

apply to other ground taxiing and ATC procedures in

the AIM.

1.

The phraseology taxi is used when it is

intended or expected that the helicopter will taxi on

the airport surface, either via taxiways or other

prescribed routes. Taxi is used primarily for

helicopters equipped with wheels or in response to a

pilot request. Preference should be given to this

procedure whenever it is necessary to minimize

effects of rotor downwash.

2.

Pilots may request a hover taxi when slow

forward movement is desired or when it may be

appropriate to move very short distances. Pilots

should avoid this procedure if rotor downwash is

likely to cause damage to parked aircraft or if blowing

dust/snow could obscure visibility. If it is necessary

to operate above 25 feet AGL when hover taxiing, the

pilot should initiate a request to ATC.

3. Air taxi

 is the preferred method for helicopter

ground movements on airports provided ground

operations and conditions permit. Unless otherwise

requested or instructed, pilots are expected to remain

below 100 feet AGL. However, if a higher than

normal airspeed or altitude is desired, the request

should be made prior to lift−off. The pilot is solely

responsible for selecting a safe airspeed for the

altitude/operation being conducted. Use of air taxi

enables the pilot to proceed at an optimum

airspeed/altitude, minimize downwash effect, con-

serve fuel, and expedite movement from one point to

another. Helicopters should avoid overflight of other

aircraft, vehicles, and personnel during air−taxi

operations. Caution must be exercised concerning

active runways and pilots must be certain that air taxi

instructions are understood. Special precautions may

be necessary at unfamiliar airports or airports with

multiple/intersecting active runways. The taxi

procedures given in Paragraph 4−3−18, Taxiing,

Paragraph 4−3−19, Taxi During Low Visibility, and

Paragraph 4−3−20, Exiting the Runway After

Landing, also apply.

REFERENCE

−

Pilot/Controller Glossary Term

− Taxi.

Pilot/Controller Glossary Term

− Hover Taxi.

Pilot/Controller Glossary Term

− Air Taxi.

c. Takeoff and Landing Procedures.

1.

Helicopter operations may be conducted

from a runway, taxiway, portion of a landing strip, or

any clear area which could be used as a landing site

such as the scene of an accident, a construction site,

or the roof of a building. The terms used to describe

designated areas from which helicopters operate are:

movement area, landing/takeoff area, apron/ramp,

heliport and helipad (See Pilot/Controller Glossary).

These areas may be improved or unimproved and

may be separate from or located on an airport/

heliport. ATC will issue takeoff clearances from
movement

 areas other than active runways, or in

diverse directions from active runways, with

additional instructions as necessary. Whenever

possible, takeoff clearance will be issued in lieu of

extended hover/air taxi operations. Phraseology will

be “CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF FROM (taxiway,

helipad, runway number, etc.), MAKE RIGHT/

LEFT TURN FOR (direction, heading, NAVAID

radial) DEPARTURE/DEPARTURE ROUTE (num-

ber, name, etc.).” Unless requested by the pilot,

downwind takeoffs will not be issued if the tailwind

exceeds 5 knots.

2.

Pilots should be alert to wind information as

well as to wind indications in the vicinity of the

helicopter. ATC should be advised of the intended

method of departing. A pilot request to takeoff in a

given direction indicates that the pilot is willing to

accept the wind condition and controllers will honor

the request if traffic permits. Departure points could

be a significant distance from the control tower and

it may be difficult or impossible for the controller to

determine the helicopter’s relative position to the

wind.