As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
Any construction, demolition or modification to the surface
design or operational areas of an aeronautical facility which affects,
increases or diminishes its operational capabilities.
The Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
The Director of the New Jersey Division of Aeronautics.
A rotary-wing aircraft that depends principally upon the
lift generated by engine-driven rotors rotating on a substantially
vertical axis for its primary means of propulsion.
An area of defined dimensions designated for the occasional
landing and takeoff of helicopters but not used solely for that purpose.
Such areas may be designated in parking lots, on golf courses, within
parks, athletic fields or on properly constructed and approved rooftops.
An area of defined dimensions designated for the landing
and takeoff of helicopters and used solely for that purpose. Such
areas may include passenger and cargo facilities, fueling service,
storage space, tie-down spaces, hangars and other accessory facilities.
An area of defined dimensions designated for the occasional
landing and takeoff of helicopters but not used solely for that purpose.
Such area shall be limited to the operation of helicopters which are
owned and controlled by the owner or the occupant of the premises
or by guests or patrons of such owner or occupant. Such area may include
refueling but no maintenance, repair or hangar facilities, except
that a tie-down area may be provided for and limited to the accommodation
of a single helicopter.
An area of defined dimensions designated for the landing
and takeoff of helicopters and used solely for that purpose. Such
area shall be open to use by any helicopter regardless of ownership
and control. Such area shall not include any refueling, maintenance,
repair or hangar facilities, except that a tie-down may be provided
for and limited to a single helicopter.
A specific area of defined dimensions to which the helicopter
approaches for landing or from which it departs and includes the touchdown
area.
Any natural or man-made objects or uses of land or water
which obstructs or is hazardous to the airspace specified by the state
or Federal Aviation Administration for maneuvering of aircraft or
accessibility of airspace to the public participating in aeronautical
activities.
A safety zone that provides an additional obstruction-free
surface on all sides of a prescribed helicopter landing and takeoff
area.
A point on the earth's surface, identified in terms of latitude
and longitude to the nearest second, from which all linear measurements
originate when applying the specific criteria to helicopter facilities.
The "facility reference point" shall always be the exact center of
the helicopter touchdown area.
An enclosed structure to provide for the comfort of persons
against rain, wind, sun and adverse weather.
A powered movement of an aircraft on the ground or on water
from one area to another, usually just before takeoff or after landing.
Helicopters may hover-taxi as well as ground-taxi, depending upon
the type of landing gear and the surface area being used.
A pathway for movement of an aircraft on the surface usually
connecting the landing and takeoff area with support facilities.
A defined part of the heliport/helistop to which a helicopter
will approach and actually alight (or come to a zero-forward-ground-speed
hover from the approach prior to touchdown or taxiing to another area)
and from which helicopter departures shall originate.
A designated area of the facility on which a helicopter will
actually alight.
The purpose of this article is to:
A.
Applicants proposing to operate a new aeronautical
facility or demolish or modify an existing facility shall:
(1)
Submit an Application for New Aeronautical Facility
License or Alteration form to the New Jersey Division of Aeronautics
at least 30 calendar days prior to the anticipated commencement of
site development. No construction, demolition or modification shall
commence prior to the receipt of the signed, approved application
from the Director and site plan approval by the municipal board.
(2)
Submit a plan certified by a land surveyor or
professional engineer licensed in New Jersey, drawn to a scale of
one inch equals 50 feet, showing the following;
(a)
True North arrow.
(b)
Dimensions of the landing area.
(c)
The location, in height above grade, of obstructions
in all directions from the center of the land area to the distance
prescribed by the Division of Aeronautics.
(d)
The location of approach/departure paths.
(e)
All property lines.
(f)
The location of the municipal boundaries.
B.
NOTE: The Division reserves the right to specify methods,
standards, techniques and sites appropriate for aeronautical facilities.
Any changes to an approved application must be submitted to the Director.
No changes will be approved if the impact on contiguous land areas
or airspace is substantially changed.
C.
Other requirements to be submitted for licensing shall
be as follows:
(1)
In the case of a rooftop facility, a certification
by a professional engineer or architect that the structural limits
of the structure are sufficient for the type of operations proposed.
(2)
A legal description of the premises certified
by a professional land surveyor or civil engineer. If the premises
are not owned by the applicant, the applicant must identify on the
license application the owner and any other party holding an interest
in the facility area, by lease or otherwise. Prior to licensing, approval
for the facility must be secured in writing from the owner.
(3)
A certification from the Municipal Planning
or Zoning Board that the proposed facility, as submitted in the application
to the Division, has been reviewed and conforms to the current zoning
regulations and the land development ordinances. If the proposed facility
or any change to an existing facility does not so conform, the applicant
shall submit a statement detailing the conflict and explaining the
need for the proposed facility, together with copies of all relevant
provisions of the zoning regulations and applications which have been
made for local approval.
(4)
A completed copy of the Notice of Proposed Construction
or Alteration (FAA Form 7480-1, as amended or superseded) at the same
time it is forwarded to the federal authorities.
(5)
Any other relevant information which may be
required for a public hearing or proceeding requested by the Division.
D.
NOTE: Any license issued does not waive any federal
rule or regulation or burden of compliance with federal advisory circulars
relating to aeronautics. Further, any license issued may be modified,
suspended or revoked in the interest of public safety or as a result
of established violation of the governing statutes.
A.
Since public safety and the safety of all those using
the aeronautical facilities is paramount, the renewal of a license
shall be made only after:
B.
Any license issued other than for temporary facilities
shall expire one year from date of issue but shall be renewed upon
satisfactory renewal application and reinspection.
A.
The Division may issue temporary licenses to permit
the operation of an aeronautical facility for a period of less than
one year for a special purpose and from a designated area which normally
requires no facility preparation. The application for a temporary
license shall be submitted to the Division and provide the following
(16:54-1.8B)[1]:
(1)
A letter of approval from the municipality.
(2)
A sketch of the proposed facility showing all
required detail.
(3)
Certification that the applicant controls the
area or that the area is to be used with permission of the owner.
(4)
A description of the provisions for public safety
within the operational area.
(5)
The name, address and phone number of the person(s)
responsible for the conduct of the proposed operations.
(6)
Aircraft specifications indicating that the
proposed operations can be safely conducted.
(7)
A list of persons intending to utilize the facility
and their qualifications.
[1]
Editor's Note: This citation should apparently
refer to the New Jersey Administrative Code (N.J.A.C.).
B.
Temporary licenses shall specify an expiration date,
shall delineate the area of approved operations and may carry other
applicable privileges or limitations specified by the Division.
C.
Temporary licenses are not automatically renewed upon
request.
A.
Size and shape. Size and shape are to be determined
by the operations proposed, the site available, the size and performance
of helicopter and the objects affecting the surrounding airspace.
B.
Surface. Any part or all surface areas of a heliport/helistop
may be in its natural state or may be improved depending on the needs
and site conditions. All surfaces, whether turf, paved, portable pad
or combinations of materials, shall be constructed and stabilized
so as to be maintained free of any objects that could be a hazard
by being blown about by rotor downwash.
C.
Load bearings. All surface areas to be used to accept
the full static weight of a helicopter shall have load-bearing capabilities
consistent with the size and shape of the helicopter authorized to
use the facility.
D.
Applicability. The minimum operational safety requirements
shall apply, regardless of the facility configuration and/or attendant
features, unless specific exemptions have been granted by the Division
of Aeronautics.
A.
The minimum dimensions of a facility shall be determined
by the size of the largest helicopter authorized to use it.
B.
The touchdown pad shall not be less than 1.5 times
the tread by 1.5 times the wheelbase of the helicopter. Load-bearing
capabilities of the pad shall be sufficient to accommodate the dynamic
load expected.
C.
The touchdown area shall be symmetrical about the
facility reference point and equal in size to the diameter of the
helicopter.
D.
The landing and takeoff area shall be not less than
1.5 times the overall length of the largest helicopter to use the
facility and shall be symmetrical about the touchdown area.
E.
Peripheral area, or additional obstruction-free safety
zone, shall surround the landing and takeoff area and shall be a minimum
width of 1/4 of the overall length of the largest helicopter being
considered, but not less than 10 feet. A wind-direction indicator
may be installed in this area.
A.
At least one remote parking position to accommodate
the largest helicopter shall be provided within public use facilities.
Frequency of operations may require additions. No helicopter shall
remain parked within a landing and takeoff area during multiple operations.
B.
Taxiways shall provide a lateral clearance of not
less than 10 feet between the main rotor tip of the taxiing helicopter
and any object or hazard.
A.
A fence or barrier, not less than three feet in height
above the ground, shall be installed along the outer edge of the peripheral
area. When limited to three feet, such a barrier shall not be considered
an obstruction for determining the approach/departure slope clearance.
C.
Warning and identification signs shall be placed outside
of the fenced area.
A.
Approach/departure paths must be specified for each
facility.
B.
Each facility shall have at least two approach/departure
paths separated by an arc of not less than 90° measured at the
edge of the landing and takeoff area. Curved paths may be necessary.
The radius of the curve shall depend on the performance capabilities
of the using helicopter and the limiting factors which affect the
approach/departure path.
A.
Obstruction clearance planes, aligned with the direction
of the approach/departure paths, shall extend outward and upward from
the edge of the landing and takeoff area to a safe altitude. The width
of these planes shall coincide with the width of the landing and takeoff
area and flare uniformly to a width equal to said landing and takeoff
area, plus 100 feet at 1,000 feet from the landing area boundary.
B.
The slope angle of the planes shall not be less than
8:1 (eight feet horizontally to one foot vertically) for all public
use heliports. The slope angle of the planes for private use heliports/helistops
shall be not less than 5:1 when certified climb performance data for
the using helicopter indicates that capacity under normal conditions.
Where adequate performance data is not available, the slope angle
shall be 8:1.
C.
Slide slope transitional surfaces for all facilities
shall extend outward and upward from the lateral edges of the landing/takeoff
area on a line perpendicular to the approach/departure center line
at a ratio of 1:1 to a distance of 50 feet from the outermost edge
of the landing/takeoff area, then along a line from the transitional
surface to a point intersecting the outer edge of the approach/departure
path where the slope rises to a height of 50 feet above the facility.
D.
These surfaces are established to provide an obstruction-free
approach/departure route and should not be penetrated by an object
or obstacle.
A.
The touchdown area for an elevated or rooftop facility
shall be 40 feet by 40 feet or equal to 1.5 times the rotor diameter
of the using helicopter, whichever is larger.
B.
The criteria established for a comparable ground-level
facility shall apply to determine pad size, obstacle-free landing/takeoff
areas and approach/departure paths for an elevated facility, even
though the imaginary planes may extend beyond the physical edges of
the structure.
C.
The touchdown area shall be protected by a parapet
fence or barrier not less than three feet in height. Where this is
impractical or where interference with the safe operation of the helicopter
is a factor, a safety net shall be installed in accordance with N.J.S.A.
16:54-1.6(A)7c,[1] or as amended.
[1]
Editor's Note: This citation should apparently
refer to the New Jersey Administrative Code (N.J.A.C.).
D.
The structural design load-bearing capability shall
be certified prior to the issuance of a license.
A.
Heliport/helistop marking and lighting patterns outlined
in the current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Advisory Circular
150/5390-1 shall apply. Additional lighting may be required for night
operations.
B.
A wind indicator shall be installed close to the facility
but not so as to be an obstacle or hazard to helicopter operations.
Special treatment may be required for night operations.
A.
Public use facilities shall be limited to existing
operational public use airports or areas zoned R-P, I-1, I-B, I-2,
I-3 and B-4 Zones.
[Amended 1-23-1996 by Ord. No. 96-4]
B.
Private use facilities may be located in R-P, I-1,
I-B, I-2, I-3, B-4 and IN-1 Zones with the following limitations:
[Amended 1-23-1996 by Ord. No. 96-4; 7-23-2002 by Ord. No. 2002-49]
(1)
When located in areas abutting residential zones,
the approach/departure paths shall remain outside of the residential
zone.
(2)
If the facility is proposed in or within 400
feet of a residential zone, the applicant shall submit proof that
such location has been approved by the Zoning and Planning Boards.
C.
NOTE: Land areas zoned for multiple uses, such as
residential/professional uses, shall not be considered solely residential
for the purpose of this regulation.
Diagrams of the typical heliport layout and
imaginary surfaces for a heliport/helistop facility are located at
the end of this chapter.
The applicant seeking approval for a helicopter
facility shall submit the following to the Planning Board at least
two weeks prior to the date of a Site Plan Review Advisory Board meeting
for approval of the site improvements and conditional use permit:
