New heliport planned for London ?
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New heliport planned for London ?
BHAB has circulated a consultation to members on behalf of a company seeking to develop a new heliport for London "on the north bank of the Thames just to the west of London City Airport".
That would seem to put it in a difficult position for LCY ops! Excel centre ? Red Bull strip ???
That would seem to put it in a difficult position for LCY ops! Excel centre ? Red Bull strip ???
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Jim, possibly the open site opposite "the Dome" at N51 30' 08" E00 01' 07.28"?
That one looks good from a pilot's point of view, certainly if the photos of that area on Google Earth are still accurate. No housing adjacent; it looks industrial all round. 350m x 200m estimated, with a road running immediately to the north of the site.
The City desperately needs a new heliport so let's hope this comes to fruition very soon, preferably one near an Instrument approach path which would help for bad wx operations.
Also, someone could make a small fortune running a boat ferry across the river to and from the Olympic Games site.
That one looks good from a pilot's point of view, certainly if the photos of that area on Google Earth are still accurate. No housing adjacent; it looks industrial all round. 350m x 200m estimated, with a road running immediately to the north of the site.
The City desperately needs a new heliport so let's hope this comes to fruition very soon, preferably one near an Instrument approach path which would help for bad wx operations.
Also, someone could make a small fortune running a boat ferry across the river to and from the Olympic Games site.
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Makes sense to have one - then cancel all of the LCTR H routes which were designed for Battersea!
Seriously though, why would that be more viable than Breeze which didn't seem to work - but was only 5 miles east?
Seriously though, why would that be more viable than Breeze which didn't seem to work - but was only 5 miles east?
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I wouldn't hold your breath until they have planning permission.
It may well be that the BHAB information request is part of the process of gathering evidence to support a planning application
It may well be that the BHAB information request is part of the process of gathering evidence to support a planning application
IIRC, Breeze were charging extortionate prices for very limited facilities and access. Not a great recipe for success, IMHO.
There is another 'heliport' in the area: www.docklandsheliport.com It's on the old Ford Dagenham site and also very close to London City.
I think that I'm right in saying that London already has both water taxi and water bus services. They are just currently under utilised...
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Yes - we get a few in and out of the Dagenham site. But who in their right mind would want to sit on the Thames on a winters evening........
It has to be central.
It has to be central.
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Too true! No business person would be impressed, having paid an arm and a leg for an hour long heli ride, to be told he/she subsequently has to spend a similar amount of time on a riverboat to complete the journey.
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This option may be a medium to long term solution but I still think the immediate answer is a barge in the River Thames along the lines of the old Trigg Lane arrangement and the Star Aviation facility as was. Perhaps a concerted campaign by BHAB and other interested parties at this stage could bear fruit sooner than a new shore based heliport.
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London Heliport
I have also seen the questionnaire. Maybe the spot opposite the Dome would be suitable, near where the Red Bull stands were?
What about Vanguard? Is that place still accepting helis? It seems to have been quiet there for some time?
Other than that there are no other places in London, but do you really think there will be enough demand? Has the price rise at Battersea meant that operators are keen to fly elsewhere or are they taking it on the chin?
What about Vanguard? Is that place still accepting helis? It seems to have been quiet there for some time?
Other than that there are no other places in London, but do you really think there will be enough demand? Has the price rise at Battersea meant that operators are keen to fly elsewhere or are they taking it on the chin?
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LCY,
The CAA recently sent round a 'statement' regarding Vanguard. Long story short - In order to use it for Commercial Charters aircraft mass has to be reduced such that it can hover OEI OGE
That will seriously restrict the types that can use Vanguard legally 
The price rise won't/ isn't the major problem at Batters
The present slot system is an ill thought out, poorly managed load of ar$e
Not only that, as 'we' found out recently, you still get hit with a cancellation fee even if the cancelled slot is sold again at full face value
Never did feel all the hype about trying to keep movements down was the real motivation. It is ALL about money. (without even suggesting that perhaps Premiair always find the daily slot limit hasn't been exceeded
)
This mess was never funny, but the sooner a second option is available the better
The CAA recently sent round a 'statement' regarding Vanguard. Long story short - In order to use it for Commercial Charters aircraft mass has to be reduced such that it can hover OEI OGE
That will seriously restrict the types that can use Vanguard legally The price rise won't/ isn't the major problem at Batters
The present slot system is an ill thought out, poorly managed load of ar$e
Not only that, as 'we' found out recently, you still get hit with a cancellation fee even if the cancelled slot is sold again at full face value
Never did feel all the hype about trying to keep movements down was the real motivation. It is ALL about money. (without even suggesting that perhaps Premiair always find the daily slot limit hasn't been exceeded
)This mess was never funny, but the sooner a second option is available the better
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I'm very suprised that Mr Branson wouldn't be up for this type of venture of starting an air taxi to either Heathrow or Gatwick for his first and business class customers.
As the Atlantic routes are going to be open up to more Airlines, this would be
a massive boost to try and win the lucrative business customers.
But I guess Red Ken and the CAA would have a few things to say about this
As the Atlantic routes are going to be open up to more Airlines, this would be
a massive boost to try and win the lucrative business customers.
But I guess Red Ken and the CAA would have a few things to say about this
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Battersea becomes more and more irritating. The present slot system is a joke. If the heliport can so easilly fill it's annual slot system what is the need for a cancellation charge? (Ok. I know just another way to squeeze the other operators)
Real gripe now. When I call as a customer to book a slot I hate people chewing down the phone at me. It is extremely bad mannered and smacks of don't care amateurish behaviour. The general attitude towards the poor paying customer has plummeted over the last few months.
Real gripe now. When I call as a customer to book a slot I hate people chewing down the phone at me. It is extremely bad mannered and smacks of don't care amateurish behaviour. The general attitude towards the poor paying customer has plummeted over the last few months.
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Spoilt...
As I sit and read these posts its very upsetting to see all the restrictions the CAA have on heliports generally. London is one of the greatest cities in the world and the troubles required to get a new heliport is unbelievable. Especially with the fast approaching Olympic Games. Its a real shame I agree all the heli lanes should go.
I also find it hard that large airports like Gatwick and Heathrow aren't that struck on helicopters. A helicopter shuttle would work fine. I guess I am very spoilt being able to fly into New York, Philly,the controllers are great to work with.
With really no problems with where you can land, and what you can land due to performance. I have taken Bell 47's, Jet Rangers, A109 in there, no problems. I just guess I'm just in a very lucky situation. I agree things need to change in London and I hope soon. Just reading about Battersea, the prices are outrageous, I suppose they have the monopoly... Shame.....
I agree all the heli lanes should go.I also find it hard that large airports like Gatwick and Heathrow aren't that struck on helicopters. A helicopter shuttle would work fine. I guess I am very spoilt being able to fly into New York, Philly,the controllers are great to work with.
With really no problems with where you can land, and what you can land due to performance. I have taken Bell 47's, Jet Rangers, A109 in there, no problems. I just guess I'm just in a very lucky situation. I agree things need to change in London and I hope soon. Just reading about Battersea, the prices are outrageous, I suppose they have the monopoly... Shame.....
Now that Red Ken, who was fiercely anti helicopter, has gone, maybe Boris could be persuaded to co-operate.
DUAL RATED: there's already an excellent water taxi operated by Thames Clippers; fast smooth catmarans; operating Island Gardens (Isle of Dogs) via Canary Wharf to the Waterloo area, with extensions to Greenwich early morning/late evening.
DUAL RATED: there's already an excellent water taxi operated by Thames Clippers; fast smooth catmarans; operating Island Gardens (Isle of Dogs) via Canary Wharf to the Waterloo area, with extensions to Greenwich early morning/late evening.
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I would have thought that LCY would have been the perfect place for a new London Heliport. Infrastructure (including the Dodgy Little Railway) already in place, and it might actually improve air traffic if they were directing stuff in and out rather than trying to keep them away from planks. Why would you miss out on such a great source of revenue, effectively for free ?