Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is seeking feedback on a draft advisory circular (AC) on guidelines for vertical flight aircraft facilities at aerodromes designed for aeroplanes.
“The purpose of this AC is to provide guidance to aerodrome and aircraft operators in the planning, design, and operation of both helicopter and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capable aircraft (VCA) facilities on an aerodrome that may have only been designed for fixed-wing aeroplanes,” said CASA in a press release.
It complements current guidance in AC 139.R-01 and AC 139.V-01 and work is underway to incorporate the applicable elements this AC in the Part 139 Manual of Standards.
Draft AC 139.10 provides guidance on:
- defining the intended vertical flight operations for an aerodrome
- aerodrome specific downwash and outwash hazards
- arrival and departure procedures
- physical characteristics of vertical flight facilities
- vertical flight aircraft versus taxiways designed for aeroplanes
- obstacle limitation surfaces for vertical flight operations
- visual aids for vertical flight aircraft – markings, lighting etc.
- published information for vertical flight facilities.
This AC will be of interest to:
- aerodrome operators
- persons involved in the design, construction and operation of airports, heliports and vertiports
- proponents of airports, heliports and vertiports
- helicopter and VCA owners/operators
- planning authorities
- Part 175 aeronautical information service providers.
Feedback is required by 8 July 2025.
For more information
https://www.casa.gov.au/about-us/news-media-releases-and-speeches/guidelines-vertical-flight-aircraft-facilities
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