As authors of the globally recognised CAP 437 (Standards for Offshore Landing Areas) and CAP 1264 (Standards for Helicopter Landing Areas at Hospitals), we are uniquely placed to advise on a range of topics relating to helidecks and heliports. We assist a wide range of industry partners to ensure products and services conform to the Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) contained in ICAO Annex 14 Volume II, and UK CAA guidance.

Advisory Services > Aviation Safety > Helidecks & Helipads

Helidecks Design Reviews (Offshore) 
We have provided heliport and helideck design reviews to organisations across the globe, drawing on the multidisciplinary expertise from across the UK CAA to ensure helideck and heliports meet the highest level of aviation safety standards.

We offer helideck manufacturers and marine engineers a helideck design review service. We review helideck design drawings against the guidance in CAP437, produce a report that covers the areas identified as non-compliant and offer recommendations on how best to achieve compliance. This will help to prevent costly modifications during construction and installation.

Post Construction, we can complete a review of the helideck drawings to ensure that the final design is compliant with the standards. In particular, we help ensure  there is nothing relating to the overall design of the helideck and the obstacle environment that has the potential to compromise the safety of helicopter operations.

Helipads Design Reviews (Onshore)
Using our knowledge and expertise as authors of CAP 1264, we offer independent CAA advice and guidance on aviation matters during the design, construction and commissioning of hospital heliports to any NHS Trust in the UK.

Our aim is to ensure that the helicopters can operate safely and ensure that critically ill patients receive the very best care as quickly as possible. We provide advice and guidance on existing sites or new developments for all three types of heliport:

  • Surface Level
  • Raised (under 3m high)
  • Elevated (typically on top of a building)

Our Services for Onshore Heliports
Our service provides an opportunity to discuss your design objectives and requirements at the concept and approval stage with one of our heliport experts, thereby reducing the potential for additional costs during the build and commissioning phase of the project due to design errors. If you have architect drawings or a site plan, we can carry out an initial assessment and advise whether your requirements are achievable.

Feasibility Study
Our experts will visit your site and/or architects office to fully review your plans or requirements. We provide a comprehensive report on our findings and recommendations and also help you focus on the important elements of operating a heliport at this early stage.

Tender Process Consultancy
Maintaining impartiality, we offer unbiased advice and guidance to your potential contractors through the bid writing stage, assisting them with the aviation knowledge they will require to submit a successful tender.

Contract Award
Once a tender is selected, we can work with the contractor and help them develop the detail around their design, ensuring they meet all necessary aviation regulations. Once construction begins, we are available to provide our advice and guidance as follows:

  • A full design review report covering all applicable aviation standards
  • Provide support throughout the construction stage – you can contact us at any time for clarification on physical characteristics or lighting, or to discuss operational concerns
  • Provide guidance on Rescue and Fire Fighting Services covering equipment, crew resourcing, crew training and ongoing oversight
  • Provide support in organising your newly commissioned heliport for inclusion in the AIDU (RAF) Helicopter Landing Sites (Hospitals in the United Kingdom) Publication
  • Final regulatory compliance inspection including a document confirming your heliport is constructed and capable of operating in accordance with the CAP 1264 guidance.

In addition, we can follow this up with an ongoing inspection programme on a two-year basis to ensure that nothing has changed on or around your heliport, that could affect the safe transportation of your patients.

Approval of Offshore Helidecks and Onshore Heliport Lighting & Other Equipment
We offer a Statement of Compliance for helideck lighting systems that meet the requirements of CAP437 Standards for Offshore Helicopter Landing Areas and/or CAP 1264 Standards for Helicopter Landing Areas at Hospitals.

This process entails a detailed desk-based review of the lighting product specifications and test/verification documentation in addition to an on-site visit to inspect the lighting installed in a representative operational environment.

To view all CAA Approved Helideck lighting products, please click the CAA Approved Helideck Lighting tab on the left hand side of this page.

Helideck Monitoring Systems (HMS)
We offer a desk based advisory service along with a Statement of Compliance for helideck monitoring systems that meet the requirements of the standard referenced in CAP 437 Standards for Offshore Helicopter Landing Areas (currently Standard Helideck Monitoring Systems Rev 9b 2020 11 01, published by the Helideck Certification Agency on their website).

This includes an audit of the review required to be performed by an Independent Competent Person (ICP) covering the display designs, factory acceptance test plan and test results, and the generic site acceptance test plan. The ICP must be acceptable to the CAA.

To view all CAA Approved Helideck Monitoring Systems, please click the CAA Approved Helideck Monitoring Systems tab on the left hand side of this page.

CAA Approved Helideck Lighting

The tables below displays all CAA approved helideck lighting manufacturers.

Circle and H Lighting Systems (offshore helidecks)
Company name Date of approval Product Version of CAP437  Conditions of approval
Orga BV 1 August 2022 TD/PM Circle-H helideck lighting system GEN II

  • HTP 100 EX-A (Yellow circle)
  • HTP 100 EX-G (Green H)
9th Edition dated February 2023 None
Frictape Net Ltd 21 November 2018 Frictape Circle and H Netlight – Fixed Version 8th Edition, December 2016 None
Pharos Marine Automatic Power Ltd 8 July 2020 Helideck Circle H Helideck Lighting System 8th Edition Amendment 1, September 2018 None
Frictape Net Ltd 8 March 2018 Frictape Circle and H Netlight 8th Edition, December 2016 Conditional on positioning checks

  • Following initial installation
  • 6 months after initial installation
  • Annually, prior to the start of the night flying season
  • After the net has been disturbed for any reason (e.g. removed for friction survey)
R. Stahl Tranberg AS 21 February 2018 IMT ILED Circle-H Lighting System MK2 8th Edition, December 2016 None
R. Stahl Tranberg AS 26 April 2017 IMT ILED Circle-H Lighting System MK1 8th Edition, December 2016 None
Daeyang Electric Co., Ltd. 29 August 2023 Helideck Circle and H lighting system CAP 437, 9th Edition, dated February 2023 None
WAROM technology Inc. Co. Shanghai

 

Pending Helideck Lighting System

(Comprising perimeter light HDL-P, circle lighting segments HDL-C & H lighting subsections HDL-H)

CAP 437 9th Edition, dated February 2023 Provisional approval until onsite visual inspection has been completed
Table above last updated: 6 November 2023.
HMS Repeater Lights (offshore helidecks)
Company Name

 

Date of Approval Product Version of CAP Conditions of approval Website Link
Orga B.V. 19 July 2021 L425EX-HMS Helideck Monitoring System Repeater Light CAP 437 8th Edition, Amendment 1, dated September 2018. None Orga
Frictape Net Ltd 22 February 2022 Frictape HMS Repeater Light CAP 437 8th Edition, Amendment 2, dated September 2018. None Frictape
Q-Aviation B.V. 5 of May 2021 Q-HMS Repeater Light System – Q40RI03 CAP 437 8th Edition, Amendment 1, dated September 2018. None Q-Aviation
Orga BV 11 July 2023 L430EX Hazardous Area Certified Helideck

Monitoring System Repeater Light

CAP 437 9th Edition dated February 2023 None Orga 
Orga BV 25 June 2021 L430 HMS repeater light CAP 437 9th Edition dated February 2023 None Orga 
COMBUSTION AND ENERGY SRL
LUXSOLAR
25 July 2023 Helideck Monitoring
System Repeater Status
Lights –
Appendix J of CAP 437 9th Edition None Luxsolar

[1] The Statement of Compliance Award relates only to the lighting equipment components. It is the responsibility of the installation/vessel operator to ensure that the lighting equipment is installed, maintained and operated in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and CAP 437 as appropriate.

Table above last updated: 6 November 2023.

HeliHoist Light
Company Name

 

Date of Approval Product Version of CAP Conditions of approval Website Link
ITO Navaids 26 June 2023 Helihoist Light BEA-XGX-024-FA-LI CAP 437 9th Edition none Orga

This table was last updated: 20 July 2023

CAA Approved Helideck Monitoring Systems

The table below displays all CAA approved Helideck Monitoring Systems.

CAA Approved Helideck Monitoring Systems
Company name Date of approval Product Version of CAP437                                  Approved Software Version Number Conditions of approval
Nevis Technology Ltd 5 July 2021 HCA HMS 9B / HLL Issue 4 CAP 437 8th Edition, Amendment 2, dated 30 July 2021. Elements v2.xxxxxxyy None
BMT 14 July 2021 HMS CAP 437 8th Edition, Amendment 2, dated 30 July 2021. HMS 9b 20210521 None
Fugro 8 October 2021 HMS CAP 437 8th Edition, Amendment 2, dated 30 July 2021. V3.xxxxxxxx None
SMC Ship
Motion Control
16 December 2021 HMS CAP 437 8th Edition, Amendment 2, dated 30 July 2021. 0.8.xxx.0 None
WISE Group – Automasjon og Data AS / WISE Group – Muir Matheson Ltd.   12 January 2022 HMS CAP 437 8th Edition, Amendment 2, dated 30 July 2021. 1.1.x None
Observator Instruments 5 April 2022 OIC-2021 CAP 437 8th Edition, Amendment 2, dated 30 July 2021. 3.0 None
ShoreConnection  7 April 2022 HMS 900 CAP 437 8th Edition, Amendment 2, dated 30 July 2021. HMS-900 9b None
Kongsberg  7 June 2022 HMS 300 CAP 437 8th Edition, Amendment 2, dated 30 July 2021. 5.03.xx None
Helifuel AS (Swire Energy Services Company) 28 June 2023 SAWOS Helideck Monitoring System CAP 437 8th Edition, Amendment 2, dated 30th July 2021. 1.0.0.15 NA
Table above last updated: 21 February 2023.
Hospital Helipad – Aviation Awareness Training Course
Hospital Helicopter Aviation Awareness Training Course

We have launched a half-day Hospital Helipad – Aviation Awareness virtual course to help employees of the NHS, and locations who host helicopter operations on the NHS’s behalf. The course will develop understanding of how helicopters operate, and how to effectively manage your hospital helipad to enable lifesaving operations with minimal risk to staff, the public and the patient.

It is recognised worldwide the importance of Air Ambulance and Search & Rescue operations, and as a key facilitator of such lifesaving work it is vital that all hospitals with a helipad understand their obligations, and best practises whilst working within the aviation environment.

This course is delivered virtually but can be delivered in-person at your hospital facilities including an onsite element (for additional cost) or at a regional centre for geographically large NHS Trusts. Click here to find out more.

Get in touch

Speak to Stephen about this service

Stephen Long
Senior Manager – International Operations
E: international@caa.co.uk
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