A heliport criteria exclusively for major metropolitan heliports was developed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as far back as 1955 and was developed to provide guidance to the helicopter operator and to those concerned with the planning, construction and regulation and operation of heliports. It is interesting to note that although at that time there had been no operating experience with either turbine powered helicopters or multi-engined helicopters this criteria has remained in broad outlines very similar over the years. It is however, sad to relate that some 27 years after this IATA criteria was drafted we still do not have a full IFR Metropolitan heliport as then envisaged. I hope to examine some of the reasons for this and to review the current prospects and requirements for a full IFR heliport.