Patio Area/ Possible Helicopter landing Spot

iamlegend2008

Before you all start: "Ooooohhhhhhh no recession round here"

Im currently at the point where I will be getting the paths around the house installed and Im considering putting a dual purpose slab of concrete in front of the house that would act as a patio area and possibly as a place for a helicopter to land (no I dont have a helicopter and the landing would be maybe once a year if at all).

Would I need planning permission for the concrete in this case ?

There are no houses within 1 mile of my house and would normally expect the concrete pad to be used as a patio area.

Any ideas/suggestions are welcome.

Good Karma

Hi there

No you don't need planning permission for a concrete slab as it does not pose height problems, or visual obstruction, etc. However, you do need to get permission for a helipad - i.e. to land the copter. But if you ask me...I wouldn't bother looking for permission if it's only going to be now and then, just dont put a big 'x' on the concrete and you'll be fine!

Jimbo

A H would be more customary GK


As was said, paving around your house wouldn't generally require planning permission but if you are planning to land helicopters now and again there are more obvious health and safety issues to consider.

If you are going to use an area for regular landing of helicopters, planning permission would be required.

A helicopter landing pad was applied for and granted near me recently.

Good Karma

Your right it's a 'H' for helicopter not 'x' for emm 'x marks the spot'?

Mellor

tbh, sizing this for allow a helicopter to land is probably overkill.
the slab will have to be reinforced to prevent cracking (depending on how big the largest helicopter going to land is. Its also going to lok pretty poor. A big old slab.

If it was me, Id go with a decent patio, decorative stones or pavers and just land the helicopter in a near-by field like at the galway races

mr_edge_to_you

If you are talking about a patio area and paths around the house then I'm assuming the concrete slab is in fairly close proximity to the house. This poses many questions. First of all, I've never seen a helicopter land within 50m of a building, except on building tops where there is a massive clearing area. Secondly if it as close to the house as it seems, the force of the draft from the blades would probably rip the slates off your roof. Thirdly, you will have to ensure that you make the slab big enough to ensure the helicopters blades have the necessary clearing area, will it be a small Robinson or will it be a larger JetRanger type. The oversized slab of concrete will look awful. To be honest, this sounds a bit much for something that may or may not be used once a year. Personally i'd prefer an area such as a patio or garden, it's a complete no brainer in my opinion. And I'm availing of one of the many joke opportunities for jokes this provides, don't forget your windsock!

De_man

iam legend the build is going well i see:)

have a look at this

http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP168.PDF it's in the appendix can't remember where exactly

also icao's manual "heliport manual" DOC9261 will give you the international regs. (you must buy this book)

it's not really the size of the pad thats the issue, as mentioned earlier a Jetranger Bell430 is reasonably light when compared to the S61:D:D
most realistically we're talking about an R22/R44?

Most important thing... keep the approach & area for over shoot clear of trees!!!

and don't forget the "tie downs" ensure lights from house not shining directly onto approach or landing pad, those halogens can be a nightmare

some firecover, accurate GPS position very helpful too;)

think this one through carefully, how would your home insurer feel about this...
dealing with the IAA, Planning etc etc?

just thinking....use a neighbours field if it's ever going to be needed
don't bring this grief on you

Irjudge1

Eh this might sound stupid but can helicopters not land on grass?

conor_mc

Irjudge1 wrote: »

Eh this might sound stupid but can helicopters not land on grass?

I would've thought so, they certainly used to out in Weston back in the day. Maybe not the bigger ones, but anything with skids should be fine (R22/44, jetranger etc.).

If it were me, I'd stick down a bit of this.

BnA

Mellor wrote: »

tbh, sizing this for allow a helicopter to land is probably overkill.
the slab will have to be reinforced to prevent cracking (depending on how big the largest helicopter going to land is. Its also going to lok pretty poor. A big old slab.

If it was me, Id go with a decent patio, decorative stones or pavers and just land the helicopter in a near-by field like at the galway races

I'd agree with Meller.

It would be a big ugly aul' yoke. Not at all attractive as a patio. Also, as somebody else up there mentioned, you would have issues about how close it is going to be to the house.

As Meller said, invest yout time/money in an attractive patio and don't comprimise it by making it suitable for landing a helicopter. If you do need to land one once a year or so, any bit of flat dry land will be fine.