safety area

safety area

Safety area for instrument FATO.i. A defined area on a heliport surrounding the final approach takeoff area (FATO), which is free of obstacles, other than those required for navigational purposes, and intended to reduce the risk of damage to helicopters accidentally diverging from the FATO. A safety area intended to be used in a VMC (visual meteorological condition) extends from the periphery of the FATO for a distance of at least 10 ft (3 m) or 0.25 times the overall length/width, whichever is greater, of the longest/widest helicopter the area is intended to serve. In cases where the safety area is intended to be used in IMC (instrument meteorological condition), it should extend laterally to a distance of at least 135 ft (45 m) on each side of the centerline and longitudinally to a distance of at least 200 ft (60 m) beyond the ends of the FATO.
ii. An area abutting the edges of the usable runway, located symmetrically about the runway, and which has been cleared, drained, and normally turfed. It extends 200 ft (60 m) beyond each runway end. The width of the safety area varies according to the type of runway. The runway safety area should not have ruts, humps, depressions, or other surface variations and should be able to support airport safety vehicles such as crash tenders and cranes. See runway safety area.