Height Above Landing (HAL) is the height above what area used for helicopter instrument approaches?

• A. Balloons
• B. Helicopters
• C. Fixed-wing airplanes
• D. Gliders

Answer: (B)

Height Above Landing is the height above the landing area, which is the surface designated for the helicopter to touch down. This reference is used for helicopter instrument approaches because helicopters approach and land in specific landing zones rather than long runways, so knowing how high you are above that exact area is what matters for safe descent and obstacle clearance. If you’re 50 feet HAL, you’re 50 feet above the planned landing area, which guides you as you descend to a hover or a touchdown on that zone. Other aircraft types use different height references tied to runways or airfields, not the landing area for a helicopter, so HAL is specifically a helicopter concept.