3-11-6

Helicopter/Powered‐Lift Landing Clearance

JO 7110.65BB, Change 3, effective July 9, 2026 · Official text on faa.gov

Issue landing clearances to helicopters or powered‐lift aircraft going to movement areas other than active runways or from diverse directions to points on active runways, with additional instructions as necessary. Whenever possible, issue a landing clearance in lieu of extended hover‐taxi or air‐taxi operations.
Phraseology

MAKE APPROACH STRAIGHT‐IN/CIRCLING LEFT/RIGHT TURN TO (location, runway, taxiway, helipad, vertipad, Maltese cross) ARRIVAL/ARRIVAL ROUTE (number, name, or code).
HOLD SHORT OF (active runway, extended runway centerline, other).
REMAIN (direction/distance; e.g., 700 feet, 1 1/2 miles) OF/FROM (runway, runway centerline, other helicopter/aircraft).
CAUTION (power lines, unlighted obstructions, wake turbulence, etc.).
CLEARED TO LAND.
If landing is requested to non‐movement areas, an area not authorized for helicopter or powered‐lift aircraft use, or an area off the airport, and, in your judgment, the operation appears to be reasonable, use the following phraseology instead of the landing clearance in subparagraph a.
Phraseology

LANDING AT (requested location) WILL BE AT YOUR OWN RISK (additional instructions, as necessary). USE CAUTION (if applicable).
Unless agreed to by the pilot, do not issue downwind landings if the tailwind exceeds 5 knots.
Note

A pilot request to land at a given point from a given direction constitutes agreement.