Helipad

A helipad or helicopter landing pad is a landing area for helicopters. Though helicopters can usually land anywhere flat, a fabricated helipad provides a clearly marked hard surface away from obstacles where a helicopter can land. Helipads are usually constructed out of concrete and are marked with a circle, so as to be visible from the air. They may be located at a heliport or airport where fuel, air traffic control, and service facilities for aircraft are available. Conversely, a helipad may also be located away from such facilities; for example, helipads are commonly placed on the roof of hospitals to facilitate MEDEVACs. Large ships sometimes have a helipad onboard, and some buisinesses maintain a helipad on the roof of their office tower. Helipads are not always constructed out of concrete; sometimes forest fire fighters will construct a temporary helipad out of wood to receive supplies in remote areas.

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Helicopter: A helicopter is an aircraft which is lifted and propelled by one or more horizontal rotors (propellers). Helicopters are classified as rotary-wing aircraft to distinguish them from conventional fixed-wing aircraft. The word helicopter is derived from the Greek words helix (spiral) and pteron (wing)...

Heliport: A heliport is a small airport suitable only for use by helicopters. Heliports typically contain one or more helipads and may have limited facilities such as fuel, lighting, a windsock, or even hangars. In larger towns and cities customs facilities may be available at a heliport. Generally heliports ...

Airport: An airport is a facility where aircraft can take off and land. At the very minimum, an airport consists of one runway (or helipad), but other common components are hangars and terminal buildings. Apart from these, an airport may have a variety of facilities and infrastructure, including fixed base ...