3-11-1 Taxi and Ground Movement Operation
a. When necessary for a wheeled helicopter to taxi on the surface, use the phraseology in paragraph 3-7-2, Taxi and Ground Movement Operations.
NOTE -
Ground taxiing uses less fuel than hover taxiing and minimizes air
turbulence. However, under certain conditions, such as rough, soft, or
uneven terrain, it may become necessary to hover / air taxi for safety
considerations. Helicopters with articulating rotors (usually designs with
three or more main rotor blades) are subject to "ground resonance" and
may, on rare occasions, suddenly lift off the ground to avoid severe damage
or destruction.
b. When requested or necessary for a helicopter/VTOL aircraft to proceed at a slow speed above the surface, normally below 20 knots and in ground effect, use the following phraseology, supplemented as is appropriate with the phraseology in paragraph 3-7-2, Taxi and Ground Movement Operations.
PHRASEOLOGY -
HOVER TAXI (supplemented, as appropriate, from paragraph 3-7-2, Taxi
and Ground Movement Operations).
CAUTION (dust, blowing snow, loose debris, taxiing light aircraft,
personnel, etc.).
NOTE -
Hover taxiing consumes fuel at a high burn rate, and helicopter downwash
turbulence (produced in ground effect) increases significantly with larger
and heavier helicopters.
REFERENCE -
P/CG term - Hover Taxi.
AIM, VFR Helicopter Operations at Controlled Airports, paragraph 4-3-17.
c. When requested or necessary for a helicopter to proceed expeditiously from one point to another, normally below 100 feet AGL and at airspeeds above 20 knots, use the following phraseology, supplemented as is appropriate with the phraseology in paragraph 3-7-2, Ground and Taxi Movement Operations.
PHRASEOLOGY -
AIR TAXI:
VIA (direct, as requested, or specified route)
TO (location, heliport, helipad, operating/movement area, active/inactive
runway).
AVOID (aircraft/vehicles/personnel).
If required,
REMAIN AT OR BELOW (altitude).
CAUTION (wake turbulence or other reasons above).
LAND AND CONTACT TOWER,
or
HOLD FOR (reason - takeoff clearance, release, landing/taxiing aircraft,
etc.)
NOTE -
Air taxi is the preferred method for helicopter movements on airports
provided ground operations/conditions permit. Air taxi authorizes the pilot
to proceed above the surface either via hover taxi or flight at speeds
more than 20 knots. Unless otherwise requested or instructed, the pilot
is expected to remain below 100 feet AGL. The pilot is solely responsible
for selecting a safe airspeed for the altitude/operation being conducted.
REFERENCE -
P/CG TERM - Air Taxi.
AIM, VFR Helicopter Operations at Controlled Airports, paragraph 4-3-17.
WAKE TURBULENCE APPLICATION
d. Avoid clearances which require small aircraft or helicopters
to taxi in close proximity to taxiing or hover taxi helicopters.
REFERENCE -
AC 90-23, Wake Turbulence, paragraphs 10 and 11.
3-11-2 Helicopter Takeoff Clearance
a. Issue takeoff clearance from movement areas other than active runways, or in diverse directions from active runways, with additional instructions, as necessary. Whenever possible, issue takeoff clearance in lieu of extended hover taxi or air taxi operations.
PHRASEOLOGY -
(Present position, taxiway, helipad, numbers) MAKE RIGHT/LEFT TURN
FOR (direction, points of compass, heading, NAVAID radial) DEPARTURE/DEPARTURE
ROUTE (number, name, or code), AVOID (aircraft/vehicles/personnel),
or
REMAIN (direction) OF (active runways, parking areas, passenger terminals,
etc.).
CAUTION (power lines, unlighted obstructions, trees, wake turbulence,
etc.).
CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF.
b. If takeoff is requested from nonmovement areas and, in your
judgment, the operation appears to be reasonable, use the following phraseology
instead of the takeoff clearance in subparagraph a.
PHRASEOLOGY -
PROCEED AS REQUESTED, USE CAUTION (reason and additional instructions,
as appropriate).
c. If takeoff is requested from an area not visible, an area not authorized for helicopter use, an unlighted nonmovement area at night, or an area off the airport, and traffic is not a factor, use the following phraseology.
PHRASEOLOGY -
DEPARTURE FROM (requested location) WILL BE AT YOUR OWN RISK (reason
and additional instructions, as necessary).
TRAFFIC (as applicable),
or
TRAFFIC NOT A FACTOR.
d. Unless requested by the pilot, do not issue downwind takeoffs
if the tailwind exceeds 5 knots.
NOTE -
A pilot request to takeoff from a given point in a given direction
constitutes such a request.
3-11-3 Helicopter Departure Separation
Separate a departing helicopter from other helicopters by ensuring that it does not takeoff until one of the following conditions exists:
NOTE -
Helicopters performing air taxiing operations within the boundary of
the airport are considered to be taxiing aircraft.
a. A preceding, departing helicopter has left the takeoff area.
(See Figure 3-11-1)
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b. A preceding, arriving helicopter has taxied off the landing
area. (See Figure 3-11-2)
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3-11-4 Helicopter Arrival Separation
Separate an arriving helicopter from other helicopters by ensuring
that it does not land until one of the following conditions exists:
a. A preceding, arriving helicopter has come to a stop or taxied
off the landing area. (See Figure 3-11-3 and Figure 3-11-4)
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b. A preceding, departing helicopter has left the landing area.
(See Figure 3-11-5)
 |
3-11-5 Simultaneous Landings or Takeoffs
Authorize helicopters to conduct simultaneous landings or takeoffs
if the distance between the landing or takeoff points is at least 200 feet
and the courses to be flown do not conflict. Refer to surface markings
to determine the 200 foot minimum, or instruct a helicopter to remain at
least 200 feet from another helicopter. (See Figure 3-11-6)
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3-11-6 Helicopter Landing Clearance
a. Issue landing clearance for helicopters to movement areas other than active runways, or from diverse directions to points on active runways, with additional instructions, as necessary. Whenever possible, issue landing clearance in lieu of extended hover taxi or air taxi operations.
PHRASEOLOGY -
MAKE APPROACH STRAIGHT-IN/CIRCLING LEFT/RIGHT TURN TO (location, runway,
taxiway, helipad, Maltese cross) ARRIVAL / ARRIVAL ROUTE (number, name,
or code).
HOLD SHORT OF (active runway, extended runway centerline, other).
REMAIN (direction/distance; e.g., 700 feet, 1 1/2 miles) FROM (runway,
runway centerline, other helicopter/aircraft).
CAUTION (power lines, unlighted obstructions, wake turbulence, etc.).
CLEARED TO LAND.
CONTACT GROUND.
AIR TAXI TO RAMP.
b. If landing is requested to nonmovement areas and, in your judgment, the operation appears to be reasonable, use the following phraseology instead of the landing clearance in subparagraph a above.
PHRASEOLOGY -
PROCEED AS REQUESTED, USE CAUTION (reason and additional instructions,
as appropriate).
c. If landing is requested to an area not visible, an area not authorized for helicopter use, an unlighted nonmovement area at night, or an area off the airport, and traffic is not a factor, use the following phraseology.
PHRASEOLOGY -
LANDING AT (requested location) WILL BE AT YOUR OWN RISK (reason and
additional instructions, as necessary).
TRAFFIC (as applicable),
or
TRAFFIC NOT A FACTOR.
d. Unless requested by the pilot, do not issue downwind landings
if the tailwind exceeds 5 knots.
NOTE -
A pilot request to land at a given point from a given direction constitutes
such a request.