Fairview Riverside Medical Center Helistop, Minneapolis, Minnesota: Design and Operational Issues

Abstract

An analysis of wind conditions and aerodynamic design for the rooftop helideck of the Fairview Riverside Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, is presented, based on an extensive literature search and the examination of current Federal Aviation Administration and Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom) guidelines. The following points are examined: pilot comments following the opening of the facility; the advisability of. a model study; the need for field wind measurements; the configuration of the helideck, including its location on the rooftop, dimensions, and the size of the air gap under it; and the effects of rotor downwash and temperature on helicopter power and lift. Recommendations for site measurement of wind characteristics and additional future work are given.