Helipads are safe landing spots for helicopters, often found on rooftops or in clearings. They are important for emergency flights and can be found at hotels, hospitals, and outdoor events. Helipads were first used in the Korean War and are also found on ships and yachts.
A helipad is a place where a helicopter can land safely. In larger cities, a helipad may be located on the roof of a building. In rural areas, one would typically be located in a clearing free of overhead wires and trees. The helipad is easily identified by a large “H” within a circle on the landing surface.
Helicopters can take off and land in a minimum of required space. This makes them especially important for emergency flights, such as the scene of an accident or disaster. The biggest and most dangerous obstacle that the helicopter is forced to overcome is the obstacles in the landing area. When flying at night, the helicopter is especially vulnerable to invisible overhead wires, as well as undetected guide wires on the ground.
Many larger hotels, hospitals, corporations, and even factories have a helipad. The helipad makes emergency and even routine helicopter travel a time-saving option. Large outdoor venues such as auto and horse races, concerts, and other sporting events often have one or more helipad stations available for VIP and emergency services.
Perhaps the first heliport was designed and built in Korea during the Korean conflict. This was the first war for the US to use the helicopter to evacuate the wounded from the front line battlefield to the mobile army surgical hospitals or MASH units. The helicopter was credited with saving thousands of soldiers on both sides who would not have reached the hospital in time using conventional means of transport. The mountainous and treacherous terrain of Korea was a perfect testing ground for the helicopter.
Helipads became important transportation pieces in other later wars as well. The Vietnam War became perhaps the largest helicopter deployment in history. Accustomed to ferrying troops and supplies in and out of various battlefronts, helicopter pilots became highly adept at getting the helicopter in and out of tight spots, often taking incoming shots the entire time they were on site. Helipads helped pilots quickly identify where to land.
Buildings and fields aren’t the only places where you can find a helipad. Many large ships, both commercial and private, have a provision for landing a helicopter on board. Military vessels use helicopters for rescue vehicles and often have more than one stationed on board. Private yachts use the helicopter to shuttle guests and to provide transportation for the owners should a business opportunity arise or the desire to simply sightsee.
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