FATO – Final Approach and Take-off area, by CAA Norway

Authors: Thomas Hytten, CAA Norway and Bjarne Aurstad, Avinor.
It is republished in the EASA General Aviation Community for awareness and to reduce the risk of inadvertent, unauthorised FATO incursions.

FATO – Final Approach and Take-off area

FATO (Final Approach and Take-Off Area) is a defined area over which the final phase of the approach to hover or landing is conducted by rotorcraft (helicopters and other VTOL aircraft), and from which take-off is initiated.

Operationally, FATO forms part of the manoeuvring area and is subject to ATC control. It carries the same protection status as a runway. This applies even at aerodromes where the FATO is physically established on an apron surface (e.g. Gardermoen, Vigra, Longyearbyen in Norway). Its regulatory status is determined by function and protection requirements.
 

Operational characteristics of a FATO

Obstacle protection and OLS compliance

The FATO and associated safety area must be safeguarded against obstacles in accordance with applicable obstacle limitation surfaces (OLS). This ensures adequate clearance during the most performance-critical phases of flight - hover, transition, and initial climb.

Relationship to TLOF

A FATO may contain a TLOF (Touchdown and Lift-off Area), which is the load-bearing surface intended for touchdown and lift-off. However, air-taxi or hover-taxi within the FATO may be necessary transitioning to and from the TLOF. On aerodrome charts, positions are typically designated H1, H2, H3, etc.

Runway equivalence

From an operational and regulatory perspective, the FATO is the rotorcraft equivalent of a runway. It is not an apron stand and must not be treated as such.

FATO Incursion – Risk and prevention

A FATO incursion occurs when an aircraft, vehicle, or person enters or is present within the FATO or its associated safety area without ATC clearance or authorization. Given the limited reaction time and rotor downwash environment, such incursions represent a high-risk scenario.

Preventive measures

ATC Clearance requirement

Entry into, crossing of, or operations within the FATO require explicit ATC clearance (TWR). This applies to:

• Aircraft (fixed-wing and rotorcraft)
• Airside vehicles
• Ground personnel

No self-coordination is acceptable within controlled aerodrome environments.

Sectorised Arrival/Departure procedures

Many aerodromes apply sector restrictions for FATO operations to ensure obstacle clearance and separation from apron traffic. For example, arrival and departure sectors may be limited (e.g. 204-355 degrees at Vigra) to mitigate conflict with taxiing aircraft and ground movements.

Markings and surface delineation

Flight crew and ground staff must maintain situational awareness of FATO markings and boundaries. At Vigra, the FATO is delineated by a wide red band bordered by white stripes, clearly segregating it from the apron. Misidentification of surface type is a known contributing factor in apron-related incursions.

FOD and object control

The FATO and safety area must remain sterile during operations. No vehicles, GSE, loose equipment, or other FOD may be present. Rotor downwash can rapidly mobilise unsecured objects, creating secondary hazards. High-visibility PPE is mandatory for all airside personnel.

GA traffic considerations

General aviation traffic, particularly transient or foreign operators, may not be fully familiar with local FATO procedures. Increased vigilance is required. Where doubt exists, request “Follow Me” guidance or seek clarification from TWR before taxi or apron entry.