How are helicopter taxiways lit?
Blue edge lights and/or green centre line lights for wheeled taxiing, and edge markers along a wider route for hover taxiing.
A ground taxiway is for helicopters that roll on wheels. It is lit like an airport taxiway, with blue edge lights, green centre line lights, or both, depending on the standard in force. An air taxiway is for helicopters that hover-taxi just above the surface. It is wider, and its limits are shown by edge markers along both sides, lit or retroreflective for night use.
Both link the landing area to stands and parking. Rotor downwash can move loose objects, so lights and markers stay low and securely fixed. Spacing is set by the standard in force, and is normally closer on curves than on straights.
Narrow track on the surface for wheeled helicopters, with edge lights, a centre line, or both.
Wider route for hover taxiing, with edge markers to show its limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1What is a helicopter ground taxiway?
A taxiway on the surface for helicopters that move on wheels, linking the FATO or TLOF to stands and parking. It is lit much like an airport taxiway so the pilot can follow it at night.
Q2What is a helicopter air taxiway?
A route for helicopters that hover-taxi, moving slowly just above the surface, usually within ground effect, instead of rolling on wheels. It is wider than a ground taxiway because the helicopter is not constrained to a track.
Q3What colours are the lights?
On a ground taxiway, following airport practice, edge lights are blue and centre line lights are green, and a given taxiway may have either or both. An air taxiway is normally shown by edge markers, lit or retroreflective, rather than a lit centre line. The exact requirement depends on the standard in force, so confirm against ICAO Annex 14 Volume II or the national regulator.
Q4Why are air taxiways marked differently?
The pilot is hovering and needs to see the width of the route and its edges more than a single line to follow. Edge markers show the route limits. Rotor downwash can disturb loose objects, so markers and lights are kept low and well fixed.
Q5How close are the lights?
Spacing is set by the standard in force and is normally closer on curves than on straights. No spacing is quoted here because it differs between ICAO and national requirements; confirm with the project specification.
Q6Which standards apply?
ICAO Annex 14 Volume II covers heliport taxiways and air transit routes, and national regulators publish their own requirements, such as the FAA heliport design advisory circular. Light colour, spacing and route width differ between them, so confirm against the standard in force.
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