SKID RESISTANCE
Helideck Friction Test.
Surface friction measurement on aluminium and steel helidecks. Purpose-developed equipment, calibrated and certified, ICAO and UKCAA compliant. Painted or unpainted surfaces, all weather conditions.
ICAO · CAP 437
COMPLIANT TO
AL & STEEL
DECK MATERIALS
Painted/ Unpainted
SURFACE TYPES
Certified
EQUIPMENT CALIBRATION
WHY THIS EXISTS
The deck has to grip. Annually verified, formally documented.
Helicopter landings depend on the deck staying gripped. Wet surface, oil contamination, paint wear, marine grime — every operational variable degrades skid resistance over time. The deck that was compliant on day one is not necessarily compliant by year five.
ICAO Annex 14 and UKCAA CAP 437 both require periodic friction measurement on helideck and helipad surfaces. The reading is not a recommendation — it's a compliance condition for continued operation.
We measure surface friction on aluminium and steel helidecks, painted or unpainted, in any operating environment. Equipment is purpose-developed for helideck geometry. Reports are calibrated, certified and acceptable to flag-state authorities and classification societies.
TEST EQUIPMENT
Built for helidecks. Calibrated for the surface you actually land on.
Generic friction-measurement equipment was designed for paved roads and aviation runways. Helideck surfaces are different — smaller area, drainage holes, painted markings, marine-alloy deck plates, perimeter safety net interfaces. Equipment built for runways gives readings that don't reflect helideck reality.
We developed our friction test equipment specifically for helideck and helipad surfaces, accounting for the geometric and material differences. It's calibrated to a documented standard before each deployment, witnessed by the certification body where required, and produces readings traceable to ICAO and UKCAA acceptance criteria.
Same equipment used on aluminium decks (our own products) and steel decks (other manufacturers' products). The measurement is independent of who built the deck.
SCOPE
Tested, calibrated, reported.
The Test
On-site surface friction measurement · Multiple test runs across the deck per ICAO/CAP 437 sampling methodology · Equipment calibration documented and witnessed · Test conducted in operating conditions matching the helideck's typical use
The Report
Written report with measured values per zone · Comparison against ICAO and UKCAA acceptance thresholds · Photographic record of the deck condition at time of test · Equipment calibration certificate appended · Recommendations where readings approach or fall below acceptance thresholds
When to Test
Annually as part of standard helideck compliance · After significant resurfacing, repainting or remarking · After contamination events (oil spill, sustained marine soiling) · As part of an integrity inspection programme · Before flag-state or class-society audit
Standalone or Bundled
Available as a standalone service or scheduled alongside the annual inspection package. Friction test reports are accepted by CAAi-validated inspection reports and integrate directly with our compliance documentation.
BEYOND ANNUAL INSPECTION
Aftersales runs the whole life of the asset.
Annual Inspection
Comprehensive annual inspection package, validated by UKCAA International against CAP 437. Friction testing schedules naturally with the annual visit.
Safety Net Testing
Drop-load testing, witnessed by classification society. Replacement netting in 20-year warranted marine aluminium.
Engineering & Upgrading
Site survey, gap analysis, design and refurbishment for helidecks transitioning to new operating regions or new code editions.
Component Supply
Foam monitors, DIFFS units, lighting components, tie-downs, signage and netting — direct from the original manufacturer.
Enquiries
Scheduling a helideck friction test?
Tell us about the deck and platform. We'll come back to you within two working days.
