Briefing Heliport Zermatt
A briefing for the heliport in Zermatt was requested by the FOCA after it was increasingly observed that conventional approach procedures by pilots who were not familiar with the area led to dangerous situations due to steep approaches in the vortex area.
This briefing is mandatory
The briefing includes a theoretical part and a practical part with double steering. With this presentation we would like to draw your attention to the special conditions of this heliport. This presentation is a recommendation only; it is not binding. The final decision is always up to the pilot!
ICAO Identification
LSEZ
Height
5315ft / 1620m
Airfield owner
Air Zermatt AG
PPR
Tel. + 41 27 570 70 00
Instruction required
PPR Online Formular
Operating hours
08.00 – 12.00 / 13.30 – 18:.00 LT
Fuel
JET A 1
Customs
NIL
AFIS
Helicopter 1 159.675 / VHF 130.005
North wind approach
- Approximately 90% of the approaches take place with tailwind.
- Approach speed: 55 kt at the clubhouse
- Approach height: Height of the clubhouse.
- Approach as flat as possible in the upwind zone.
- If the approach is too steep, there is a risk of vortexing.
- On reaching the edge of the platform, the upwind drops and the helicopter flies into the wake vortices.
- The stronger the north wind, the greater the power reserve should be to absorb the sagging of the helicopter.
- When the helicopter floats above the "H" and starts to land, the tail rotor and the stabilizing surfaces are in the upwind zone.
- Depending on the type of helicopter, this may result in the need for full control to stop the forward speed.
- In this unfavourable phase, do not try to keep the helicopter hovering for long, but land immediately.
North wind approach
Take off with north wind
Variant 1
In light north winds or with powerful helicopters, it is recommended to take off backwards until the helicopter is in the upwind and then turn around the vertical axis into the wind.
Take off with north wind
Variant 1
Take off with north wind
Variant 2
With moderate to strong north wind or with low-power helicopters, the helicopter should be turned into the wind using the "ground wheels." If no wheels are present, the helicopter can be turned while hovering into the wind, and the passengers can get on later.
South wind approach
Take off with south wind
A power reserve of 10% is recommended to climb safely over the sound barrier and then pick up speed.
Take off with south wind
Turn with the wind and don't lift the nose (loss of speed means danger).
General
- A valid Swiss MOU license is required for instruction.
- No PPR permission for helicopter types in the performance class EC20 or similar. Exception for MOU training.
- For CAT flights outside performance class 1, a CAT.POL.H.305 permit is required for the helicopter used.
- The first radio contact takes place at St. Niklaus or 5 to 10 minutes before landing, on Heli 1 or VHF 130.005 Mhz. Without a landing confirmation from the Zermatt command, you fly over the golf course (6500 ft) between Randa and Täsch into a hold.
- The flight altitude above Täsch must be a minimum of 6500 ft.
- Between Täsch and Zermatt, altitude can be lowered to about 5500 ft, so that you are not higher than the clubhouse during the final approach
- Experience has shown that a speed of approx. 55 kt is ideal at the clubhouse.
- If there is a rotating helicopter on the landing platform, contact must first be established with the helicopter before the approach is continued.
- Due to the turbulence on the landing site, small helicopters, in particular, must have a sufficiently large power reserve.
- For takeoffs with a large tailwind (north wind) it is advantageous to take the "ground wheels" with you to turn the helicopter into the wind.
- For takeoffs with south wind, there must be sufficient power reserve to climb to the height of the noise barrier without any problems.
- During sightseeing flights around the Matterhorn or landings on the mountain airfields around Zermatt, under no circumstances should you fly over the village of Zermatt or the surrounding villages.
- On the construction site north of the heliport, there is a yellow crane that almost reaches the height of the landing site and whose boom has gained in length over time. This crane is constantly in motion! Thus, the jib may be in an inconvenient position transverse to the approach axis!
- The gallery is also north of the heliport. The gallery is the transshipment point for material that is flown by Air Zermatt to different construction sites.
- If there is a rotating helicopter on the ground or in the air near the gallery, it must first be contacted before continuing the approach.
Careful! Crane!
