Battersea

[nomorehelosforme]

When did Battersea Heliport open and what is the history of ownership?

[thiago]

Open since 23. April 1959.

Have a closer look here: London Heliport - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Heliport)

[nomorehelosforme]

Good link, thanks, have only been in there once as a pax flying in from the south, we were given permission to go further down the river to Tower Bridge as a sort of mini tour before returning to land, my then wife nearly had a heart attack with the sharp banking 180 degree turn within the confines of the river!

[Savoia]

NMH: See also: First Landing at Battersea Heliport: Rotary Nostalgia Thread (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/419023-rotary-nostalgia-thread-47.html#post6779208)

[nomorehelosforme]

As always thanks for info. It looks a pretty barren place back then!

[Savoia]

This thread http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/121555-battersea-heliport-photo.html used to have a historical photo of Battersea (when there were fewer buildings). There are also one or two historical photos scattered throughout the Nostalgia Thread.

See also: HeliHub: 19 storey apartment block to be built next to Battersea (http://helihub.com/2013/11/18/19-storey-apartment-block-planned-next-to-london-heliport-in-battersea/)

[nomorehelosforme]

Since it opened there have been many high rise developments in the area inc the one that was involved in the 109 accident in January, now that the Battersea power station redevelopment has been given the go ahead there will be more cranes in close vicinity in addition to the cranes constructing the new high rise blocks adjacent to to the Heliport.

2 questions, how often are risk assessments re landing and take off updated re local construction and bearing in mind the amount of construction at what point will the Heliport be worth more as potential real estate instead of a Heliport?

[Savoia]

Hopefully someone with current procedural knowledge will pipe-up and confirm the measures are in place but, AFAIK, when cranes reach a certain height the developer must notify the borough who then notify the CAA who in turn publish a NOTAM.

However, in practice .. when one is flying within a narrow corridor and there are multiple obstructions one really ought to be in unquestionable VMC and, crucially, alert. (Easy to say with hindsight I know).

[Peter-RB]

I once accompanied a Pilot pal of mine flying a 109 a couple of times into London Heli park , and was amazed at the area the pilot had to use for turning at the landing spot, I felt as a PPL the only place to go if a problem arose with the power unit was down and into the wet stuff, one flight in was at low tide and even that didnt look any better, following the river in and out also gave me a nervous quietness not missed by my pal !

Peter R-B :eek:
Lancashire

[ShyTorque]

For flights along the Thames, in the unfortunate event, the emergency alighting area is deemed to be between high and low water marks. So you're going to get muddy or wet or both.

[John R81]

Hence the value of pop-out floats. If you are intending AOC work into Battersea I think that you must have floats but private flights - your call..


The decent into Battersea is very steep along the centre of the river with a late dog-leg to line up. Most interesting profile - I was almost at autorotation.

[ShyTorque]

If you are intending AOC work into Battersea I think that you must have floats

Or two engines.

[John R81]

Good point, but it was easier to fit the floats in my case than the second engine.:ok: