The purpose of this article is to provide regulation and standards
for the operation of helicopter facilities, to provide for their location
in the interest of public health, safety and convenience and to ensure
the safe and orderly development of such facilities and other uses
surrounding them.
Applicants proposing to operate a new aeronautical facility
or demolish or modify an existing facility shall:
A.
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 receipt
of the signed, approved application from the Director and site plan
approval by the municipal Board.
B.
Submit a plan.
(1)
The plan shall be certified by a land surveyor or professional
engineer licensed in New Jersey, drawn to a scale of one inch to 50
feet, showing the following:
(a)
A true North arrow.
(b)
The 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.
(2)
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.
(1)
Submissions shall be as follows:
(a)
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.
(b)
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.
(c)
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.
(d)
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.
(e)
Any other relevant information which may be required for a public
hearing or proceeding requested by the Division.
(2)
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 (N.J.S.A. 16:54-l.8B):
(1)
A letter of approval from the municipality.
(2)
A sketch of the proposed facility showing all required details.
(3)
Certification that 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.
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. The size and shape shall be determined by the operations
proposed, the site available, the size and performance of helicopter
and the objects affecting the surrounding air space.
B.
Surface. Any part or all surface areas of a heliport/helistop may
be in its natural state or may be improved depending on 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.
A 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. The 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 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.
B.
Where deemed necessary, a higher barrier may be installed. For such
higher barrier, the rule set under N.J.S.A. 16:54-1.6(A)6 shall apply.
C.
Warning and identification signs shall be placed outside of the fenced
area.
D.
Exemptions to the requirements for safety barriers and signs shall
be based on N.J.S.A. 16:54-1.10, Petitions for exemption.
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 eight to one
(8:1) (i.e., 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 five to one (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 eight to one (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 one to one (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 the pad size, obstacle-free landing/takeoff area
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,
or as amended.
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/-53901
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 I-1 (Industrial), B-3 (Business) and A-1
(Agricultural) Zones.
B.
Private use facilities may be located in I-1 (Industrial), B-3 (Business)
and A-1 (Agricultural) Zones with the following limitations:
(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.
Land areas zoned for multiple uses, such as residential/professional
use, shall not be considered solely residential for the purpose of
this regulation.
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:
A.
Six copies of the site plan (plus four copies if the plan must go
to the County Planning Board).
B.
An illustration showing the proposed aeronautic operation. (See the
following illustrations at the end of this chapter: Plate 1, Typical
Heliport Layout; and Plate 2, Imaginary Surfaces for Heliport - Helistop
Facility.)
C.
A copy of the completed application form.
[1]
Editor's Note: See the following illustrations at the end
of this chapter: Plate 1, Typical Heliport Layout; and Plate 2, Imaginary
Surfaces for Heliport - Helistop Facility.
