View Full Version : Beach Landing / Helipad Size
Pardon me if this might be stupid to ask, but I need to get some info for someone. They will be developing a small beach resort, and need to know the following:
Can helicopters take-off and land on the beach safely?
If not, where can we get info on the proper dimensions for building a helipad on the beach for say, a 6-passenger helicopter?
Flying Bull
14th Dec 2008, 23:21
Hi smbl,
as you can see on the huge number of replies :E
helicopterpilots know the answer but arenīt quite sure why you ask.....
Well, as long as the slope isnīt exceeding the helicopter limits, you can land on the beach
Unfortenuatly helicopters donīt like sand - its abrasive to rotor- and tailrotorblades and (6 people helicopter=turbine) turbines - as long, as you donīt have a filter (only turbine, not rotorblades).
Brownout is also possible during landing and take off - so a fixed pad would certainly be appreciated by the maintainers and the pilot.
Greetings Flying Bull
Brilliant Stuff
15th Dec 2008, 09:41
Just plant some grass and have it land on that. Also it helps if the Sand is wet, that will reduce the chances of a brownout tremendously.
The ground has to be solid enough to accept 3-4 tonnes of weight.
Sand is strong enough for this.
Choppie
15th Dec 2008, 10:26
I've been landing in Mozambique on the beaches for quite a while now. The grains of beach sand is too heavy to get a brown out so I don't think that is something to worry about. The sand does blow around alot so make sure no one stands close when taking off or landing.
The most important thing to take into consideration is how wet the sand is. Some beaches can be wet and solid as concrete. Others you sink in as you touch down.
Leaving the helicopter there overnight might pose a problem depending on how close you are to the water with the tides. I had a AS350 sink in the back part of the skids because with my luck I landed there with spring tide. The water didnt come within 20m of the helicopter but the dampness creaped underneath the sand towards us during the night. The next morning we had to dig a little bit :ugh:
IMO I would say rather make a clearing further away from the beach and build a concrete pad. We actually just use planks that are about 3m in length and you place them so that the helicopter lands on at least 5 planks. The same as landing on a trolley.
Sand does eat up you tailrotor blades there so make sure you keep an eye on them. Also make sure you have a good sand filter fitted. The same we use when in the desert.
Many thanks to your responses. These are really appreciated.