B4UFly is an app, not a regulation. I find it very useful but it has 'bugs'. At my location it tells me I need
'permission' to operate my sUAS because of a heliport. FAA AC91 57A, which is an advisory document reflecting on
Section 336 of Public Law 112-95 In Section 336 (a) 5 states:
(5) when flown within 5 miles of an airport, the operator of the aircraft provides the airport operator and the airport air traffic control tower (when an air traffic facility is located at the airport) with prior notice of the operation...(emphasis is mine)
An airport
is not, and has
never been, a heliport! You don't need to provide notice to a heliport operator, never mind obtain permission if operating under section 336. Let me provide you with some reinforcement to my interpretation.
SEC. 334. PUBLIC UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS Section 334 (c)(2)(C)(v)
"outside of 5 statute miles from any airport, heliport, seaplane base, spaceport, or other location with aviation activities."
This section explicitly differentiates between an airport and heliport, seaplane base, etc.. As far as this law is concerned, they are 2 different entities, airplanes cannot successfully land at a heliport. Section 334 concerns Public UAS, not model aircraft, it is only being used as an example here. A public UAS is one that is operated by public agencies, i.e.: the police, customs, etc.. In other words Public Law 112-95 differentiates between airport and heliport. Section 336, which falls under Public Law 112-95, only states airport. This is the section we are concerned with.
Why all the confusion? Someone made a misinterpretation of Public Law 112-95 and implemented the error into the B4UFLY app. If you want to contact the FAA for a clearer interpretation, good luck, please report back with the FAA official's credentials. We are dealing with Federal Law here, not an FAA officials interpretation. The real interpretation comes from a Federal court, God help you if you ever need that clarification.