New South Wales Ambulance reveals what the helipad symbols actually mean

The little-known meaning behind the hidden codes and markings on a hospital helipad have been revealed.

New South Wales Ambulance decoded the cipher, which typically only helicopter pilots understand, after continuous requests from followers.

The symbols tell pilots how much weight the helipad can take, the flight path, where and which way they should take off and land and the location of hospital equipment that could interrupt the helicopter’s magnetic compass.

The real meaning behind the hidden codes and markings on a hospital helipad (pictured) have been revealed

‘Are you losing sleep night after night wondering about all those markings on hospital helipads?’ The ambulance service wrote.

They revealed that the big red H is on a 9m x 9m white cross or square and always faces north to help helicopters land.

The name of the hospital and its aviation code identifier are always painted in white and also face north.

At the bottom right of the H, the upper number refers to the maximum take-off weight limit and the lower number is the maximum diameter of the helicopter’s main rotor width.

New South Wales Ambulance decoded the cipher, which typically only helicopter pilots and paramedics understand

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The helipad also reveals the maximum weight and width it can take – for example a marking of 6.8 over 14 means the maximum weight of helicopters using the pad should be 6800kg and their rotors should have no more than 14m across.

One feature NSW Ambulance revealed that interested many people is that MRI machines can sometimes interfere with the helicopter’s magnetic compass.

Sometimes, a pad will have the words MRI, a distance and an arrow written in black, so that the pilot is aware of the machine.

The helipad also has yellow directional lines to indicate where the helicopter should land and take off.

The yellow and black stripes show staff where is is safe to walk to approach and leave the helicopter.

Many people were fascinated by the decoded patterns. 

‘Wow – really interesting read. Thanks for sharing,’ one woman said.

‘I’ve never wondered this actually lol but it is fascinating,’ another wrote.

‘Interesting! I live close to my local hospital and in the flight path of rescue choppers and have been a patient in a rescue chopper so this is actually very interesting information,’ another commented.