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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVVMC Updated App-Dep Paths 11-24-2014-bVail Valley Medical Center Proposed VVMC Heliport Modified E-W Flight Path, Approach/Departure Surface and Transitional Surfaces Based on Feedback from the Town of Vail’s Expert Mr. Ray Stanton 11/24/2014 ©2014 All Rights Reserved 02/13/2015 1 Updated Material The following information is based on discussions between HeliExperts and the Town of Vail’s Expert Mr. Ray Stanton on 11/03/2014. Specifically the town has asked if it is feasible to realign the East to West Approach/Departure path into the proposed VVMC heliport such that it overflies the city building property, specifically the west parking lot, versus South Frontage Road. ©2014 All Rights Reserved 2 02/13/2015 2 Airspace Airspace “Surface Areas”, as identified in the FAA’s Heliport Advisory Circular, specifically the “Approach/Departure Surface” (shown in green) and the “Transitional Surfaces” (shown in blue) are derived from Title 14 of the Federal Aviation Regulations, Chapter 1, Subchapter E, Part 77; “Safe, Efficient Use, And Preservation Of The Navigable Airspace”. These standardized terms are used by the Federal Aviation Administration for the primary purpose of determining obstructions to air navigation as spelled out in Part 77.13 “Applicability”. Heliport specific terminology can be found in Part 77.23 “Heliport Imaginary Surfaces”. ©2014 All Rights Reserved 3 02/13/2015 3 Airspace However neither of the two aforementioned terms should be confused with the actual flight track, i.e. Approach/Departure Path of the aircraft itself. The FAA advisory circular defines the Approach/Departure Path as “The Flight Track helicopters follow when landing at or departing from a heliport”. Flight Tracks are centered equidistant above the 8:1 surface identified as the “Approach/Departure Surface” and between the 2:1 surface identified as the “Transitional Surfaces”. This design methodology for airspace adopted by the FAA which utilizes these corresponding “Airspace Surfaces” provides for the safest environment for both pilots and the communities they service while providing a set standard for defining and determining obstructions to airspace. ©2014 All Rights Reserved 4 02/13/2015 4 Airspace So while the airspace represented by the approach/departure surface in green and the transitional surfaces in blue encompasses an area of 4,000’ in length, 500 feet in width and 500 feet in height, the “Actual Flight Path” any given pilot will generally fly within that airspace is only a few feet wide and centered over the entire airspace corridor. ©2014 All Rights Reserved 5 02/13/2015 5 Findings These are recommended paths that meet the FAA criteria and address community suggestions.  If adopted these paths should be followed to the degree consistent with safety and the final decision is with the pilot in command depending on all the operational and environmental conditions at the time of the flight. ©2014 All Rights Reserved 6 02/13/2015 6 Originally Proposed E-W Airspaces Surfaces ©2014 All Rights Reserved 7 02/13/2015 8:1 Approach/Departure Surface 2:1 Lateral Transition Surface 7 Proposed Modified E-W Airspace Surfaces ©2014 All Rights Reserved 8 02/13/2015 8:1 Approach/Departure Surface 2:1 Lateral Transition Surface 8 Proposed Modified Airspace Surfaces ©2014 All Rights Reserved 9 02/13/2015 Extended FATO Surface 8:1 Approach/Departure Surface 2:1 Lateral Transition Surface 9 VVMC Overall Airspace Surfaces High Altitude View ©2014 All Rights Reserved 10 02/13/2015 8:1 Approach/Departure Surface 2:1 Lateral Transition Surface 10 Overall Recommended Flight Paths Center Line Track Layout High Altitude View ©2014 All Rights Reserved 11 02/13/2015 11 Overall Recommended Flight Paths Center Line Track Layout Low Altitude View ©2014 All Rights Reserved 12 02/13/2015 98° 12 Distances to Vail Residence ©2014 All Rights Reserved 13 02/13/2015 145’ 13 Distances to Vail Residence ©2014 All Rights Reserved 14 02/13/2015 14 Conclusion The proposed east to west updated approach departure path for consideration is indeed achievable and can meet the guidelines set forth by the FAA in the heliport advisory circular. ©2014 All Rights Reserved 15 02/13/2015 15