Definition
Height Above Landing is the height of a published instrument approach minimum descent altitude expressed in feet above the elevation of the designated helicopter landing area. It is used on copter approach procedures where the landing point — rather than an airport or runway — is the reference for the approach minimums.
Plain English
How many feet you are above the helicopter landing spot itself, used as the reference for how low you can go on a helicopter instrument approach.
Context Anchor
Seen on instrument approach information, especially where helicopter landing minimums are published.
Derivation
A plain descriptive abbreviation: 'Height' (how high), 'Above' (the reference direction), 'Landing' (the helicopter landing area). Worth noting the reference is the landing area itself, not an airport elevation or the surrounding terrain.
Why Pilots Care
It gives pilots a precise reference for decision points and obstacle clearance right at the landing surface, directly affecting go-around or landing choices.
Intuition Check
Do not read “landing” here as the act of touching down. In HAL, “landing” means the landing area or surface used as the height reference.
Example Sentence 1
The copter approach plate listed an HAL of 463 feet, so the pilot knew the minimum descent altitude was 463 feet above the helipad elevation.
Example Sentence 2
During the approach the crew monitored HAL to confirm adequate clearance over the final obstacles.