Airfield and Heliport
Airfield and Heliport
Airfield and Heliport
TM 5-803-7
NAVFAC P-971
This publication provides standardized criteria for all Department of Defense (DOD) Service components for planning
and developing the layout of runways, taxiways, aprons, and related facilities for airfields and heliports. It provides cri-
teria for establishing planes and surfaces of navigational airspace surrounding these airfields and heliports. For pur-
poses of these standards, an airfield refers to fixed-wing aircraft facilities, and a heliport refers to rotary-wing aircraft
facilities. Criteria in this publication apply to installations in the United States, its territories, trusts, and possessions,
and unless otherwise noted, to installations overseas on which the United States has vested base rights.
Part Two covers airfield layout and airspace criteria for fixed-wing aircraft facilities.
Part Three provides heliport layout and airspace criteria for rotary-wing aircraft facilities.
Supersedes chapters l, 2, 3, and 6 0f AFM 86-8, 10 November 1964,and augrnents TM5-803-4, 19 0ctober 1973. (See
signature page for summary of changes.)
. No. of Printed Pages: 49
OPR:LEEV (Forrest R .Henry)
Approved by: Major General William D. Gilbert
Writer-Editor: M. M. Green
Distribution: (See page 5-5)
ii 12 May 1981
Page
Standby Parking Pad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6 4-6
Layout Criteria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7 4-6
Section C–Helicopter Landing Lanes
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8 4-10
Landing Lanes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9 4-10
Identifying Touchdown Points... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10 4-10
Layout Criteria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11 4-10
Section D–Helicopter Hoverpoints
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12 4-10
Layout Criteria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13 4-10
Attachments
I. Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1
2. Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-3
3. Department of Defense Land Use Compatibility Guidelines for Clear Zone and Accident Potential Zones... A-4
Figures
2-1. Typical Airfield Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
2-2. Runway End and Clear Zone Detail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
2-3. Accident Potential Zone Guidelines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
2-4. Runway, Taxiway, and Primary Surface Transverse Sections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...... 2-12
2-5. Clear Zone Transverse Section Detail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
2-6. Runway and Overrun Longitudinal Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
2-7. Clear Zone Longitudinal Profile Detail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
3-1. Imaginary Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
3-2. Class AIFR Runway Airspace Imaginary Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
3-3. Class B Runway Airspace Imaginary Surfaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
3-4. Class AIFR Runway Airspace Imaginary Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
3-5. Class B Runway Imaginary Surfaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
4-1. Helicopter VFR Runway. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4
4-2. Helicopter IFR Runway. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
4-3. Standard VFR Helipad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
4-4. Limited Use VFR Helipad. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8
4-5. lFR Helipad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9
4-6. Helicopter Landing Lane. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11
4-7. Helicopter Hoverpoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
5-1. Airspace Imaginary Surfaces-Helicopter VFR Runway. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
5-2. Airspace Imaginary Surfaces-Helicopter IFR Runway and Helipad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
5-3. Airspace Imaginary Surfaces-VFR Helipad and Limited Use VFR Helipad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Tables
2-1. Runway Classification by Aircraft Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
2-2. Runways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
2-3. Taxiways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
2-4. Aprons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
2-5. 0ther Airfield Pavements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
2-6. Overuns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
2-7. Clear Zones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
2-8. Accident Potential Zones (APZ). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
3-1
● ☛✌
Page
—
12 May 1981 1-1
PART ONE
Chapter 1
GENERAL INFORMATION
1-1. Scope. Standards in this part pertain to land-based Agreements (STANAGS). These standards should be re-
military installations under DOD control. DOD tenant viewed before proposing significant changes to criteria in
organizations on civil airports use these standards to the
extent practical, otherwise, Federal Aviation Administra-
tion (FAA) criteria apply. These standards give dimen- 1-4. Applicability to Existing Construction. The
sions, clearances, and grades for airfield or heliport standards in this document are not intended for existing
operational areas, as well as geometric configurations facilities located or constructed under previous standards
and slopes of the surrounding airspace. Army and Navy that can be continued in use without impairing operation-
design and planning standards in Army manual TM al efficiency and safety. Existing facilities, constructed
5-803-4 and Navy documents (NAVFAC DM-21, P-80, under previous or emergency standards, need not be
and P-272) include the standards in this document and modified nor expanded just because they do not conform
provide other standards that are essential to planning to these requirements. When existing facilities are modi-
and designing additional airfield and heliport facilities. fied, and it is feasible to do so, construction must con-
Additional criteria and guidance for the Air Force, are in form to the standards established in this document.
AFM 86-2 and 86-8. Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR),
part 77, contains supplemental material on objects that 1-5. Theater-of-Operations. This publication may be
affect navigable airspace. The United States Standard for used as a guide for designing theater-of-operations facili-
Terminal Instrument Procedures (TERPs) (TM 95-226, ties if prolonged use maybe expected. Standards for thea-
OPNAVINST 3722.16C, AFM 55-9) provides additional ter-of-operations installations are in the following docu-
criteria to be considered when designing or modifying ments of the DOD Service component that applies: Army
airfields and facilities on airfields that are used under in- TM 5-330 and Air Force AFM 86-3, volume II.
PART TWO
FIXED-WING AIRCRAFT
Chapter 2
AIRFIELD LAYOUT CRITERIA
2-1. General Information. This part uses the same long. Class B runways are all other fixed-wing runways.
runway classification system established by the Office of These runway classes are not to be confused with aircraft
the Secretary of Defense as a means of defining accident approach categories in other DOD or FAA documents,
potential areas (zones) for the Air Installations Compati- nor pavement traffic areas as designated by the Air
ble Use Zones (AICUZ) Program. Class A runways (table Force.
2-1) are primarily intended for small light aircraft that
do not have the potential for development to heavy air- 2-2. Layout Criteria. Tables 2-2 through 2-8 give the
craft use or for which no foreseeable requirement for principal airfield dimensional, clearance, and grading cri-
such use exists. Ordinarily, these runways have less than teria for airfield layouts used to support fixed-wing air-
10 percent of their operations that involve aircraft in the craft operations. These criteria are illustrated in figures
Class B category (table 2-l), and are less than 8,000 feet 2-1 through 2-7.
2 Width
I
Item Item ;
Class A Runway
Remarks
No. Description Requirement
8 Clearance
from taxiway Air Force aiflelds.
centerline
to fixed
or mobile
obstacles
(taxiway
clearance
line)
Transverse
grade of
area to be
graded (in
direction
of surface
drainage
prior to
channel-
ization
I
overseae, other than in locations designated, follow-guidance of the individual Service component.
* For guidance on land use within the APZ’S, see DOD Air Installations Compatible Use Zone (AICUZ) guidelines (attachment 3).
.-.
2-10
HALF SECTION IN CUT
OF RUNWAY)
APPROACH-DEPARTURE
CLEARANCE SURFACE
BEGINS WITH SAME
ELEVATION AS CENTER-
LINE ELEVATION AT
RUNWAY END
NOTES
12 May 1981 3-1
Chapter 3
AIRFIELD AIRSPACE CRITERIA
SECTION A–OBSTRUCTIONS TO AIRSPACE graphs 3-4 and 3-5. However, no part of the takeoff or
landing area itself is considered an obstruction.
3-1. General Information. This chapter sets standards
for determining whether an object or structure is an ob- 3-3. Traverse Ways. The minimum vertical clearance
struction to air navigation. It applies to existing and pro- given in table 3-1 must be maintained between the
. posed man-made objects, objects of natural growth, and traverse way and imaginary surfaces given in paragraph
terrain. 3-4 except when:
SECTION B–STANDARDS FOR DETERMINING OB- a. The traverse way is controlled. Control in this sense
STRUCTIONS is exercised by an air traffic control (ATC) facility or
through an agreement between the responsible ATC facil-
3-2. Obstructions to Air Navigation. An existing ob- ity and another agency with the capability to exercise
ject (including a mobile object) is, and a future object control.
would be, an obstruction to air navigation if it is higher b. An existing traverse way is physically limited to
than any of the following heights or surfaces: lesser heights. For example, an overpass over a public
a. A height of 500 feet above ground level at the site of highway or a roadway has a clearance of 13 feet, but
the object. warning signs are posted before the point where the high-
b. A height that is 200 feet above ground level or way enters the obstacle clearance area.
above the established airfield elevation, whichever is
higher, within 3 nautical miles of the established ref- SECTION C–RUNWAY IMAGINARY SURFACES
erence point of an airfield. This height increases in the 3-4. Planes and Surfaces Related to Runways:
proportion of 100 feet for each additional nautical mile of
distance from the airfield up to a maximum of 500 feet. a. Primary Surface. A surface on the ground or water
centered lengthwise on the runway and extending 200
c. A height that results in raising an established or feet beyond each end of that runway. The width of the
proposed minimum descent altitude (MDA) within the primary surface is:
initial approach segment or the intermediate approach
segment; that which raises the decision height (DH) for (1) One thousand feet for a Class A runway.
precision approach radar (PAR) or instrument landing (2) Two thousand feet for a Class B runway.
. system (ILS) glide slopes within the final approach seg- NOTE: Exceptions to the above widths are the same as
ment; that which affects a departure or missed approach specified in table 2-2, item 8.
climb gradient within the departure area or missed ap- b. Clear Zone Surface. A surface on the ground or
proach segment; or that which affects the MDA within water beginning at the runway end and symmetrical
the circling approach area. about the runway centerline extended. Dimensions for
d. A height within an en route obstacle clearance area, the length and width are the same as for clear zones
including turn and termination areas, of a federal airway specified in table 2-7.
or approved off-airway route that would increase the c. Approach-Departure Clearance Surface. An in-
minimum obstacle clearance altitude. clined plane or combination inclined and horizontal
e. The surface of a takeoff and landing area of an air- plane, symmetrical about the runway centerline ex-
field or any imaginary surface established under para- tended. The inclined plane flares outward and upward
from the primary surface, having the same width as the b. Conical Surface. An inclined plane that extends
primary surface, and begins with the centerline elevation from the periphery of the inner horizontal surface out-
of the runway end. The slope ratio and dimensions of the ward and upward at a slope of 20 to 1 for a horizontal di-
inclined plane and dimensions of the horizontal plane tance of 7,000 feet to a height of 500 feet above the estab-
vary with the type of runway prescribed. For: lished airfield elevation.
(1) A VFR Class A runway, the slope ratio of the in- c. Outer Horizontal Surface. A plane located 500
clined plane is 40 to 1. It extends a horizontal distance of feet above the established airfield elevation, extending
10,000 feet with an outer width of 2,500 feet. outward from the outer periphery of the conical surface
(2) An IFR Class A runway, the slope ratio of the in- for a horizontal distance of 30,000 feet.
clined plane is 40 to 1 until it reaches an elevation of 500 d. Transitional Surface. Inclined planes that connect
feet above the established airfield elevation. It then con- the primary surface and the approach-departure clear-
tinues horizontally at this elevation to a point 50,000 feet ance surfaces to the inner horizontal surface, conical sur-
from the point of beginning. The outer width is 16,000 face, outer horizontal, or other transitional surfaces. The
feet. slope is 7 to 1 outward and upward at right angles to the
(3) A Class B runway (VFR and IFR), the slope ratio runway centerline and runway centerline extended. To
of the inclined plane is 50 to 1 until it reaches an eleva- determine the elevation for the beginning of the transi-
tion of 500 feet above the established airfield elevation. tional surface slope at any point along the lateral bound-
It then continues horizontally at this elevation to a point ary of the primary surface, draw a line from the point,
50,000 feet from the point of beginning. The outer width perpendicular to the runway centerline or to the runway
is 16,000 feet. centerline extended. The elevation of the runway or of
the runway centerline extended at that intersection is the
3-5. Planes and Surfaces Related to Airfield Ref- elevation for the beginning of the 7 to 1 slope.
erence Points:
3-6. Criteria for Imaginary Surfaces. The imaginary
a. Inner Horizontal Surface. An oval-shaped plane at surfaces defined above are illustrated in figures 3-1
a height of 150 feet above the established airfield eleva-
through 3-5.
tion. It is constructed by scribing an arc with a radius of
7,500 feet about the centerline at each end of each run-
way and interconnecting these arcs with tangents.
12 May 1981 3-3
3-4
A
B
c
D
3-6
12 May 1981 4-1
PART THREE
ROTARY-WING AIRCRAFT
Chapter 4
HELICOPTER LANDING FACILITIES
Requirement Remarks
Requirement I Remarks
1 Length 400 ft I
2 Width
(inner edge)
3 Width
(outer edge)
4 Grades in
any direction
4-6. Standby Parking Pad. At individual helipad sites 4-7. Layout Criteria. The principal dimensional cri-
where it is necessary to have one or more helicopters on teria, clearances, and grades for helipad layouts to sup-
standby, an area adjacent to the helipad but clear of the port rotary-wing aircraft operations are in table 4-7.
landing, approach and transitional surfaces should be These standards are illustrated in figures 4-3 through —
designated: 4-5.
Chapter 5
HELIPORT AND HELIPAD AIRSPACE CRITERIA
SECTION A–OBSTRUCTIONS TO AIRSPACE tance of 250 feet from the centerline, it then rises ver-
tically to an elevation of 150 feet above the established
5-1. General Information. Standards for determining elevation of the landing surface.
obstructions to air navigation for helicopter facilities are
the same as the standards specified for fixed-wing air- 5-5. Approach-Departure Clearance Surface (VFR).
craft facilities in chapter 3. The following airspace sur- An inclined plane above the limits of the approach-depar-
faces are illustrated in figures 5-1 through 5-3. ture zone, symmetrical about the runway or helipad
longitudinal centerline extended. It starts at the end of
SECTION B–IMAGINARY SURFACES PERTAINING the primary surface with the same width and at the es-
TO HELICOPTER RUNWAYS AND HELIPADS tablished elevation of the landing surface. It extends out-
5-2. Primary Surface. A horizontal plane sym- ward and upward at a slope ratio of 8 to 1 until an eleva-
metrically centered on the helicopter runway or helipad tion of 150 feet above the established helicopter runway
at the established elevation of the landing surface. The or helipad elevation is reached. The outer width at the
area beneath the primary surface (referred to as the pri- end of the 1,200 foot length is 600 feet, and it continues
mary surface area) must be free of obstructions except as at this width until the minimum en route altitude is
noted in table 4-1, Item 6. The dimensions of the primary reached.
surface for the following facilities are: a. When the helicopter runway or helipad is collocated
Length Width
on a fixed-wing airfield, and the approach-departure zone
Type Facility
VFR Runway Runway length plus ends within the limits of the horizontal surface of an air-
75 ft at each end 300 ft field, the approach-departure clearance surface meets the
IFR Runway or Helipad 1,550ft 750 ft airfield horizontal surface at a point 150 feet above the
VFR Helipad 300 ft 300 ft
established airfield elevation.
VFR Limited Use Helipad
or Hoverpoint 150ft 150 ft b. When helicopter facilities are located separately,
from fixed-wing runways, the approach-departure clear-
5-3. Horizontal Surface (IFR). A circular level plane, ance surface extends horizontally to the limits of that
located 150 feet above the established heliport or helipad surface and then continues on an 8 to 1 slope ratio until
elevation, defined by scribing an arc with a 4,600-foot minimum en route altitude is reached.
radius from the ground point of intercept (GPI) of the
runway or helipad. 5-6. Approach-Departure Clearance Surface (Limit-
ed Use Helipads). This surface is similar to the ap-
5-4. Transitional Surfaces. Planes that connect the proach-departure clearance surface for a VFR helicopter
primary surface and the approach-departure clearance runway or helipad, except for the inner and outer widths.
surface at a prescribed height. They may also join a hori-
zontal surface at a prescribed horizontal distance beyond 5-7. Approach-Departure Clearance Surface (IFR).
the limits of the horizontal surface. Each surface is out- This is an inclined plane above the limits of the approach-
ward and upward at a specified slope measured per- departure zone, symmetrical about the helicopter runway
pendicular to the runway centerline or helipad longi- or helipad longitudinal centerlines extended. It begins at
tudinal centerline (or centerlines) extended. the end of the primary surface, with the same width and
a. VFR facilities. The slope ratio is 2 to 1. It rises to at the established elevation of the landing surface. It ex-
150 feet above the established elevation of the landing tends outward and upward at a slope ratio of 25 to 1 for a
surface. horizontal distance of 24,225 feet. The width at the outer
b. IFR facilities. The slope ratio is 4 to 1. It rises 150 end of the approach-departure clearance surface is 8,000
feet to the horizontal surface. At the intersection of the feet.
horizontal surface and the approach-departure clearance
SECTION C–IMAGINARY SURFACES THAT PER-
surface, it continues adjacent to the approach-departure
clearance surface for the entire length, at which point an TAIN TO HELICOPTER HOVERPOINTS
elevation of 375 feet above the approach-departure clear- 5-8. Criteria for Imaginary Surfaces. The width of
ance surface is reached. the primary surface and layout criteria for approach-de-
c. VFR Limited-Use facilities. The slope ratio is 2 to parture zones and transitional surfaces are the same as
1 rising from the primary surface until it reaches a dis- specified for a VFR limited use helipad.
5-2
5-4 12 May 1981
12 May 1981 5-5
BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARIES OF THE AIR FORCE, THE ARMY, AND THE NAVY
OFFICIAL E. C. MEYER
General, United States Army
Chief of Staff
J. C. PENNINGTON
Major General, United States Army
The Adjutant General
W. M. ZOBEL
Rear Admiral, CEC, U.S. Navy
Commander, Naval Facilities
Engineering Command
Attachment 1 12 May 1981 A-1
GLOSSARY
AICUZ (Air Installations Compatible Use Zones). (1) Glide Slope. Same definition as for glide path.
Land areas on which certain uses may obstruct the air-
space or otherwise be hazardous to aircraft operations, Grade. Also gradient. A slope expressed in percent of
and (2) land areas that are exposed to the health, safety, feet per hundred. For example, 0.5 percent means a 0.5-
or welfare hazards of aircraft operations. foot slope in 100 feet.
Accident Potential Zone I (APZ I). The area beyond the Ground Point of Intercept (GPI). A point in the vertical
clear zone that possesses a significant potential for acci- plane of the runway centerline or center of a helipad at
dents. which it is assumed that the straight line extension of the
glide slope intercepts the approach surface baseline.
Accident Potential Zone H (APZ II). The area beyond
APZ I that has a measurable potential for accidents. Helicopter. An aircraft deriving both lift and control
from one or more power driven rotors rotating on sub
Airfield. An area prepared for the accommodation (in- stantially vertical axes.
cluding any buildings, installations, and equipment),
landing, and takeoff of aircraft. Helipad. A prepared area designated and used for the
takeoff and landing of helicopters.
Airfield, Heliport, or Helipad Elevation. The estab-
lished elevation, in terms of the nearest foot above mean Heliport. A facility designated for operating, basing,
sea level, of the highest point of the usable landing area. servicing, and maintaining helicopters.
Airfield Reference Point. The designated geographical Heliport or Helipad Elevation. See airfield elevation.
location of an airfield. It is given in terms of the nearest
second of latitude and longitude. The position of the ref- Hover. A term applied to helicopter flight when the air-
erence point must be as near to the geometric center of craft: (1) Maintains a constant position over a selected
the landing area as possible, taking future development point usually within “ground-effect” (3 to 10 feet above
of the airfield into account. ground), and (2) Is taxiing (airborne) (3 to 10 feet above
ground) from one point to another.
Apron. A designated area on an airfield intended to ac-
commodate aircraft for loading or unloading passengers Hoverlane. A designated aerial traffic lane for the di-
or cargo, refueling, parking, or maintenance. rected movement of helicopters between a helipad or
hoverpoint and the servicing and parking areas of the
Autorotation Lane. A helicopter landing lane or desig- heliport or airfield.
nated area on a runway used for practicing landings un-
der simulated engine failure or certain other simulated Hoverpoint. A prepared and marked surface at a heli-
emergency conditions. port or airfield used as a reference or control point for ar-
riving or departing helicopters.
Approach-Departure Clearance Surface. Defined in
paragraph 3-4c (for airfields) and paragraph 5-5 (for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). Rules that govern the
heliports and helipads). procedure for conducting instrument flight.
Approach-Departure Clearance Zone. An area on Inner Horizontal Surface. Defined in paragraph 3-5a.
ground or water located beneath the approach-departure
clearance surface. The boundaries are identical to the Landing Lane. One of four to six parallel surfaced lanes
horizontal dimensions of the approach-departure clear- at a stage field, used for landing, takeoff, and autorota-
ance surface. tion training. Except for the autorotation lane, these
lanes permit efficient simultaneous use by more than one
Clear Zone Surface. Defined in paragraph 3-4b (for helicopter. A single landing lane may sometimes be estab-
fixed-wing facilities) and tables 4-6 and 4-7 (for rotary- lished at an airfield or helipad in order to support a high
wing facilities). density of helicopters parked on a mass apron. (See para-
graph 4-9 and figure 4-6.)
Conical Surface. Defined in paragraph 3-5b.
Limited Use Helipad. A VFR facility, sited to support
Fixed-Wing Aircraft. A powered aircraft that has wings only occasional operations at special locations such as
attached to the fuselage so that they are either rigidly hospitals, headquarters buildings, missile sites, and simi-
fixed in place or adjustable, as distinguished from air- lar situations. Other locations include airfields where one
craft with rotating wings, like a helicopter. or more helipads may be required for separating opera-
tions of numerous small helicopters (OH, UH and AH
Glide Path. The line to be followed by an aircraft as it type aircraft) from fixed-wing or medium and heavy heli-
descends from horizontal flight to land upon the surface. copter traffic.
Also called glide slope.
A-2 Attachment 1 12 May 1981
Limited Use Runway. A runway for which standard Runway Approach Threshold. The beginning of that
runway clearances cannot be obtained, but due to mission part of the runway usable for landing airplanes.
requirements for low density air traffic under VFR, it is
essential to provide a minimum type operating facility. Shoulder. An area adjacent to the edge of an operational
See Army manual TM 5-803-4 and Navy document pavement so prepared as to keep the probability of seri-
NAVFAC P-80. ous damage to an aircraft to a minimum in case it runs
off the operational area.
Noninstrument Runway. A runway intended for oper-
ating aircraft that use visual flight rules. Slope Ratio. A slope expressed in feet as a ratio of the
horizontal to the vertical distance. For example, 50:1
Obstacle. A natural or manmade object that violates air- means 50 feet horizontally to 1 foot vertically.
field or heliport clearances, or projects into imaginary
airspace surfaces. Takeoff Safety Zone. A clear graded area within the
limits of the first 400 feet of the approach-departure zone
Obstacle Clearance. The vertical distance between the of all VFR rotary-wing facilities. The land use of this area
lowest authorized flight altitude and a prescribed surface is comparable to the clear zone area applied to fixed-wing
within a specified area. facilities.
Outer Horizontal Surface. Defined in paragraph 3-5c. Taxilane. A designated path through parking, mainte-
nance or hangar aprons, or on the perimeter of such
Primary Surface (Airfield). Defined in paragraph 3-4a. aprons to permit the safe ground movement of aircraft
operating under their own power.
Primary Surface (Heliport or Helipad). Defined in
paragraph 5-2. Taxiway. A designated path, on an airfield or heliport
other than apron areas, selected or prepared for taxiing
Runway. A designated rectangular area, on an airfield or aircraft.
heliport prepared for the landing and takeoff run of air-
craft along its length. Towlane. A prepared path for towing aircraft. It pro-
vides minimum lateral clearance and is generally located
Runway (Class A). Explained in paragraph 2-1. A list of on an airfield or heliport. It maybe a connecting route be-
aircraft that determine the classification of a Class A tween airfield or heliport facilities and an aircraft sup-
runway is in table 2-1. porting facility nearby.
Runway (Class B). All runways other than Class A run- Touchdown Point. A designated location on a landing
ways, for example, runways that accommodate heavy air- lane, taxiway, or runway for permitting more rapid
craft or have the potential for development to heavy air- launch or recovery of helicopters in a high density area.
craft use. A list of aircraft that determine the classifica-
tion of a Class B runway is in table 2-1. Transitional Surfaces. Defined in paragraph 3-5d (for
fixed-wing facilities) and paragraph 5-4 (for rotary-wing
Runway End. As used in this document, the runway end facilities).
is the end of a runway where a normal threshold is locat-
ed. When the runway has a displaced threshold, the using Visual Flight Rules (VFR). Rules that govern the proce-
Service will evaluate each individual situation and, based dures for conducting flight under visual conditions.
on this evaluation, will determine the point of beginning
for runway and airspace imaginary surfaces.
—
Attachment 2 12 May 1981 A-3
BIBLIOGRAPHY
A-4 Attachment 3 12 May 1981
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
LAND USE COMPATIBILITY GUIDELINES FOR CLEAR ZONE
AND ACCIDENT POTENTIAL ZONES
5
YES Y E S YES
NO YES YES
YES 5 YES YES
YES 5 YES 4 Y E S
YES 5 Y E S YES
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
Attachment 3 12 May 1981 A-5
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO