Portable heli-pads

Citation

(2001), "Portable heli-pads", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 73 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2001.12773dad.012

Portable heli-pads

Portable heli-padsKeywords: Rola-Trac, Helicopters, Landing

An experienced pilot has given his backing to an innovative solution for tricky helicopter landings.

For a helicopter with retractable undercarriage, landing can be treacherous on ground conditions that have become soft through heavy rainfall or snow. The aircraft will simply sink in the mud.

Now an innovative design is believed to mean that problems with soft field sites will become a thing of the past. The novel invention is the brainchild of Norfolk-based Fergus Ardern whose company Rola-Trac produces Supa-Trac. This innovative new product is said to provide a strong and almost unbreakable landing surface for helicopters.

Supa-Trac is described as a tough ABS plastic and consists of 950mm x 250mm sections that are light and small enough to be transported by a small commercial vehicle or the baggage bay of a medium sized helicopter. Once assembled, tapered edging pieces are added and this provides an anchorage point as well as allowing a wheel to travel safely over the edge.

In tests carried out in July 2000, an area of Supa-Trac 9m x 30m was laid out on grass and secured with steel pegs. A Sikorsky S76A+ helicopter with a max gross weight of 10,800lbs made three landings with the wheel brakes applied. The surface is reported to have remained completely stable.

The adhesion of the tyres to the surface was similar to that of a road, with the added advantage of having drainage through small holes in the material. The helicopter was also said to have hovered just above the surface perimeter but once again it remained completely stable.

Captain Christopher Snell, a pilot with thousands of hours flight time under his belt carried out the tests, and said:

The tests proved that both landing and taking off can be carried out safely. Without doubt, this product will go a long way to solving the problems associated with soft field sites.

Rola-Trac has spent more than £1/4 million developing Supa-Trac over two years. The company also makes ABS decking and flooring, which was also invented and developed in-house.

Rola-Trac's managing director commented:

Supa-Trac will revolutionise temporary or semi-permanent heli-pads. The surface is nonslip, secure and safe and that's something pilots want to be absolutely sure of when landing or taking off in a helicopter.

Further details are available from Rola-Trac. Tel: +44 (0)1603 871025; Web site: www.rola-trac.co.uk