Here we go again !
The sad fact is that the original Heliport location (now a supermarket) should never have been allowed to loose its 'transport' planning stamp. The location was much better than any alternative and had 'rights' that made another Helicopter operation much more simple. The new location will have to satisfy the latest CAA/EASA regs, and the area has far more buildings in the vicinity nowadays. The Isles of Scilly Steamship Co have filed for a review, but they are going for a potential flaw in the planning process rather than objecting to the service. In fact they are suggesting that the helicopter could operate from the St Just airport (400 ft amsl) but of course this would rather defeat the benefit of operating from a sea level site at Penzance with the associated better transport links. In fact the new service will probably be difficult to pay it way with such a small payload, and someone should look at one of the Russian 30 seaters built to EASA standards that can have either the American or Russian engines. Skybus have struggled to make Lands End 'more 'operational' even after spending a huge amount of money on the new runways, as the FOG does not recognise such modern surfaces !!!! The winter waterlogging has been sorted, but the load factors then are very low. Lands End (St Just) also now has GPS approaches , but in practice the local terrain and lack of approach lighting does not really improve matters enough to repay the cost outlay. On really marginal days the 'diversion' requirement (nearest Newquay) reduces payloads accordingly. Culdrose not an option at w/ends or in the peak summer time.