[panelwagon62]

Hey guys, wasn't sure where to post this but it has to do with paint so I figured here would be a good start. My girlfriends dad owns a safari helicopter and what he wants us to do it paint a big H with a circle around it on his landing pad behind their garage. What kind of paint or procedure would give us a durable finish that will be resistant to chipping or pealing up fron the skids landing on it? Thanks

[popo1984]

I would use one of those two part epoxy paints. or you could go to a specialty coating supply and ask them what the road crews use

[302 Z28]

Yep, two part true epoxy paint.

Vince

[panelwagon62]

Any special brand paint?

[popo1984]

as long as it is a quality brand it should be fine

[ZAPPER68]

I have been in the helicopter industry for more years than I would like to remember. One of the 'other jobs' I do for customers is audit their helidecks/pads for compliance and insurance considerations. Although your friends helicopter is private it therefore falls into a seperate category when it comes to the above. Now to your question regarding paint.

Whatever you do DO NOT use the same product found on crosswalks ... you know the thick stuff that sometimes has reflective material embedded in it. When fuel and oil from the helicopter come in contact with that stuff it turns to goo and makes a heck of a mess. My recommendation is to buy a paint that is both fuel/oil resistant.

Regarding the markings, if you want to go the professional route have a perusal of CAAP 437 or ICAO Annex 14 Volume II Heliports. They are the 'bibles' of the industry. Good luck.

ZAPPER

[poncho62]

Originally Posted by panelwagon62

My girlfriends dad owns a safari helicopter and what he wants us to do it paint a big H with a circle around it on his landing pad behind their garage.Thanks

Doesn't the big "H" stand for Hospital, not hellicopter?.......just wondering

[ZAPPER68]

Originally Posted by poncho62

Doesn't the big "H" stand for Hospital, not hellicopter?.......just wondering

Nope,'the big H' does not stand for hospital. The H should be placed on the helipad in an area that will provide the best obstacle free clearance. This is especially important when it comes to tail rotor clearance which is obvious. The circle around the H is called the 'aiming circle'. In theory, when on final approach fly the helicopter to the middle of the aiming circle thereby giving you obstacle free clearance. You should then be over the H mark and not wondering where your main and tail rotors are.

One more thing about the H mark. The H should be oriented (length wise) so that it points in the direction you can fly without hitting any obstacles. In other words, if you are on final approach and for some reason you elect to abort the landing and are lined up with the H mark your 'go around' will be executed without having to think about missing obstacles such as trees, fences, buildings etc. The aiming circle should be painted white and the H yellow.

This is especially important for those of us working on oil rigs. The H mark is always oriented perpendicular to the rig structure indicating to us the clear way for an aborted landing. The last thing you want to do is hit a rig leg or other solid object. Helicopters always lose those encounters.....always!
ZAPPER

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Use an airport runway paint on the helipad, such as
this one:
http://www.somay.com/manufact/traffic/index.html
You can also add reflective glass beads to it,
to aid visibility in low light conditions.

Poncho, I see you're from Canada, and I believe the 'H'
found on Canadian helipads does indeed signify a hospital landing pad......

[ZAPPER68]

Originally Posted by Runnin'OnEmpty

Use an airport runway paint on the helipad, such as
this one:
http://www.somay.com/manufact/traffic/index.html
You can also add reflective glass beads to it,
to aid visibility in low light conditions.

Poncho, I see you're from Canada, and I believe the 'H'
found on Canadian helipads does indeed signify a hospital landing pad......

Nope...I'm from Canada too....it does not signify a hospital landing pad...
ZAPPER