Helipad

A helicopter landing pad (helipad) is a landing area or platform for helicopters. While helicopters are able to operate on a variety of relatively flat surfaces, a fabricated helipad provides a clearly marked hard surface away from obstacles where a helicopter can land safely.

Larger helipads, intended for use by helicopters and other VTOL or powered lift aircraft, may be called vertiports. An example is Vertiport Chicago, which opened in 2015.

Usage

Helipads may be located at a heliport or airport where fuel, air traffic control and service facilities for aircraft are available. However, most helipads are located remote from such facilities due to space and cost constraints.

Some skyscrapers maintain a helipad on their roofs in order to accommodate air taxi services. Some basic helipads are built on highrise buildings for evacuation in case of a major fire outbreak. Major police departments may use a dedicated helipad at heliports as a base for police helicopters. Large ships and oil platforms sometimes have a helipad on board, usually called a helicopter deck or helideck.