Windsocks for Heliports and Helipads

Every helicopter landing area, from a hospital rooftop to a North Sea production platform, depends on accurate wind information. For a pilot on approach in reduced visibility or at night, the windsock is often the most immediately useful thing on the entire deck. Specifying it correctly is not an afterthought; it sits inside a clearly defined regulatory framework that your facility must meet.

Piggotts supplies windsocks for onshore helipads and can advise on specifications for offshore helideck assemblies. We manufacture in the UK and have been doing so since 1780.

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Regulatory framework

Two CAA publications govern helipad and helideck wind indicators in the UK.

CAA CAP 168 Licensing of Aerodromes applies to onshore heliports that are licensed as aerodromes. Chapter 7 covers visual aids including wind direction indicators, referencing ICAO Annex 14 Volume II (which specifically addresses helicopter operations) for the physical specification.

CAA CAP 437 Standards for Offshore Helicopter Landing Areas is the UK standard for offshore helidecks, written by the CAA for the UK continental shelf. It is internationally regarded as best practice and is applied by many operators beyond UK waters. CAP 437 covers all aspects of the helideck visual aid system including wind indicators, with specific requirements for:

  • Permanently installed, internally illuminated windsocks on offshore helidecks used for night operations
  • Positioning clear of the FATO (Final Approach and Take-Off area) and free of obstacles that could disrupt airflow
  • High-visibility fabric in a colour that contrasts clearly with the surrounding environment and the sea
  • ATEX/IECEx certification for the illumination system where the helideck is on an oil, gas or other hazardous installation (Zone 1 and Zone 2 classified areas)
  • Maintenance to a standard that ensures reliability during all operational periods

ICAO Annex 14 Volume II underpins both standards and covers helicopter operations specifically. Where the UK has notified ICAO of differences to the SARPs, those are published in the UK Aeronautical Information Publication.

For unlicensed onshore helipads (including hospital, corporate and private estate helipads), there is no mandatory licensing regime in the same sense, but ICAO Annex 14 Volume II and CAP 168 provide the accepted good-practice benchmark, and any helipad used by commercial operators will typically be assessed against them by the operator’s own safety management system.

Onshore Helipad Windsocks

For most onshore helipads, a 4ft to 8ft windsock is appropriate, sized to be readable from the approach path at the speeds and angles typical of the aircraft using the site. The windsock must be positioned to give a true, unobstructed reading of the surface wind and must be visible from the cockpit throughout the approach.

Key specification points for onshore installations:

  • International orange fabric with stainless steel ring, harness and eyelets
  • Mounted clear of rooftop plant, parapets and structures that could cause turbulence or obstruct sightlines
  • Illuminated where night operations take place, with the power supply protected and the light positioned to avoid pilot glare
  • Hinged or lowering mast recommended for safe fabric changes on rooftop sites

Our Safeguard Windsock in 4ft to 8ft sizes is the standard choice for onshore helipads. Talk to us about pole and swivel arm options matched to your installation.

Offshore helideck specifications

Offshore helideck windsocks operate in some of the harshest environments Piggotts products encounter: continuous salt spray, high mean wind speeds, ATEX-classified electrical environments and 24-hour operational requirements. This is a specialist area and we recommend discussing your installation with our team rather than ordering from a standard product listing.

The key requirements under CAP 437 and ICAO Annex 14:

  • Internally illuminated with a light source certified for the ATEX/IECEx zone classification of the platform
  • Stainless steel (316 grade) mast, swivel and hardware throughout
  • Positioned to read free-stream wind conditions, not deck-influenced turbulence
  • Maintained to a schedule that ensures reliability at all times, not just during planned inspections

Replacement sock intervals for offshore installations are typically 6 to 9 months given constant wind load and salt exposure.

Maintenance

Wind indicators on helicopter landing areas must be maintained to the standard they were installed to. A windsock that cannot be seen clearly, flies inaccurately, or has failed illumination is a genuine flight safety issue. At minimum, include the windsock in your daily helideck inspection log and schedule a quarterly hands-on check. Our [windsock inspection checklist] is structured to meet the documentation expectations of an audit.

Browse helipad windsocks | Request a quote for offshore or illuminated installations

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FAQs

What windsock is required on an offshore helideck?

CAP 437 requires an internally illuminated windsock on offshore helidecks used for night operations, with the illumination system ATEX/IECEx certified for the zone classification of the platform. The windsock must be positioned to give a free-stream wind reading clear of deck obstructions.

What size windsock do I need for an onshore helipad?

Typically 4ft to 8ft, sized to be clearly readable from the approach path. The right choice depends on the approach distances, surrounding environment and aircraft types using the site. Our size guide covers the options in detail.

Does a hospital helipad need to comply with CAP 437?

CAP 437 is written specifically for offshore helicopter landing areas. Hospital and other onshore helipads are not directly subject to it, but CAP 168 and ICAO Annex 14 Volume II provide the applicable standards, and commercial helicopter operators will assess your helipad against them.

How often should a helipad windsock be replaced?

Annual replacement for onshore helipads in typical conditions, six-monthly for coastal or exposed sites. For offshore helidecks, 6 to 9 months is realistic given the environment. Always hold a spare on site.