Landing site near the NEC
As far as using the airport instead, it's not so much the cost; but more the inconvenience of the traffic queues on busy event days.
Planemike
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The amount of cars they can get in an area the size of the footprint of your helicopter will make them more money than reserving the space for you and charging you a suitable fee!
It is possible to walk from the airport to the NEC undercover, MAGLEV ( or similar ) part of the way.
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Handysnaks,
Do you own, operate or pay for use of a helicopter ? I suspect not.
Have you actually re-read your post to realise the futility of it?
And excuse me for having an opinion - in fact don't, I don't require anyone's permission.
I actually don't need to attend the NEC for any particular reason, and if the NEC don't want to allow heli's to land there then that's their prerogative. But given that it's the National Exhibition Centre and they derive footfall equally from the business community, as they do anyone else, why wouldnt they expect visitors to arrive by helicopter? They certainly accommodate cars, pedestrians HGV's and motorcycles. Helicopter traffic in this country is by no means unusual.
Furthermore, most helicopters would land on a patch of land utilised for nothing else and therefore they are likely to derive additional income rather than less.
Your comments appear to be heli-unfriendly. In which case what are you doing on this forum? Let me guess your an environmentalist.
And on a final note, in MY WORLD, everything revolves around me. I make it that way.
Joel
Do you own, operate or pay for use of a helicopter ? I suspect not.
Have you actually re-read your post to realise the futility of it?
And excuse me for having an opinion - in fact don't, I don't require anyone's permission.
I actually don't need to attend the NEC for any particular reason, and if the NEC don't want to allow heli's to land there then that's their prerogative. But given that it's the National Exhibition Centre and they derive footfall equally from the business community, as they do anyone else, why wouldnt they expect visitors to arrive by helicopter? They certainly accommodate cars, pedestrians HGV's and motorcycles. Helicopter traffic in this country is by no means unusual.
Furthermore, most helicopters would land on a patch of land utilised for nothing else and therefore they are likely to derive additional income rather than less.
Your comments appear to be heli-unfriendly. In which case what are you doing on this forum? Let me guess your an environmentalist.
And on a final note, in MY WORLD, everything revolves around me. I make it that way.
Joel
Crossing the runway's a bit tricky though. The business aircraft centre is not anywhere near the main terminal; it's way across the western side of the airfield.
Planemike
Handysnaks - it's not at all clear what your motivation is (unless you're just envious), but your comments are clearly based on ignorance. If the aim of places such as the NEC is to get as many feet through the door, then why exclude feet arriving by heli? There are very many events that are far more congested than the NEC, both in terms of visitors vs. footprint (the British GP is an obvious example). I don't see any H&S or environmental issues at these? The NEC has an enormous amount of land that could easily be used to accommodate heli traffic whilst compromising neither H&S regs nor income from visitors arriving via alternative means of transport.
TTB
TTB
Tightgit
Envy me, no. (not this time anyway)
Correct, I don't own my own heli, I do occasionally get to work with helicopters though.
You are entitled to your own opinion of course and very occasionally my opinions might be closer to yours than you realise. However, When a place like the NEC has a location which is deliberately close to a major airport, the assumption is that that is where the aircraft (of any type), will land. In that particular bit of real estate (in spite of the fact that it is not particularly close to residential areas), it would be very hard to persuade the local population that another 'aviation location', for want of a better phrase,should be set up in the local vicinity. Add to that the fact that the airport at that location is fighting a major PR battle with the locals to extend its runway and you will probably find that the airport management would object to a helipad at the NEC as well.
TTB (or can I just call you T?)
My motivation, hmm. Partly I suppose, it's to provide an alternative view to the 'Oh my god, the NEC doesn't have a helipad, ipso facto it's sh!t view that started the thread off. Partly it was to generate some of the responses that you have so kindly provided. The initial motivation was of course to help! That's why I provided the information about Coleshill Manor
Why exclude people arriving by Heli? They don't, as long as you park your Heli somewhere else!
Doesn't that make you rather dizzy?
Finally,
Am I an environmentalist. Definitely, I rely on my environment totally, I don't think life would be worth living without it.
Correct, I don't own my own heli, I do occasionally get to work with helicopters though.
You are entitled to your own opinion of course and very occasionally my opinions might be closer to yours than you realise. However, When a place like the NEC has a location which is deliberately close to a major airport, the assumption is that that is where the aircraft (of any type), will land. In that particular bit of real estate (in spite of the fact that it is not particularly close to residential areas), it would be very hard to persuade the local population that another 'aviation location', for want of a better phrase,should be set up in the local vicinity. Add to that the fact that the airport at that location is fighting a major PR battle with the locals to extend its runway and you will probably find that the airport management would object to a helipad at the NEC as well.
TTB (or can I just call you T?)
Handysnaks - it's not at all clear what your motivation is (unless you're just envious), but your comments are clearly based on ignorance. If the aim of places such as the NEC is to get as many feet through the door, then why exclude feet arriving by heli?
Why exclude people arriving by Heli? They don't, as long as you park your Heli somewhere else!
And on a final note, in MY WORLD, everything revolves around me. I make it that way.
Finally,
Am I an environmentalist. Definitely, I rely on my environment totally, I don't think life would be worth living without it.
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Handysnaks,
I'm sure in the flesh you're a really nice guy. But this forum, which you are welcome to be a member of, is for people who are traditionally pro-heli.
No, we don't all go around thinking, or expecting, that because some of us fly them, or own them, that we have a god given right to land them where we like, but we do like to think that most people here are heli friendly.
You just don't seem to be. (at least on this topic)
Handy, in the whole scheme of things, its not unreasonable to expect that a major conference centre with masses of land would accept helicopters especially when they cater to major pop concerts whose headlining acts probably commute everywhere in them. The fact that a major airport is close, is quite frankly irrelevant, helicopters are by their very nature designed to land 'off airfield' and that's one of the reasons why we fly them.
On this occasion, you don't agree (and that's fine), but I think you will find that the majority of us do agree that the NEC should and could accommodate them.
Actually, in truth I think we should have a constitutional right to land them anywhere that is safe !!! I think I'll run for Prime Minister and make it my second act as leader of the Govt!
Joel
I'm sure in the flesh you're a really nice guy. But this forum, which you are welcome to be a member of, is for people who are traditionally pro-heli.
No, we don't all go around thinking, or expecting, that because some of us fly them, or own them, that we have a god given right to land them where we like, but we do like to think that most people here are heli friendly.
You just don't seem to be. (at least on this topic)
Handy, in the whole scheme of things, its not unreasonable to expect that a major conference centre with masses of land would accept helicopters especially when they cater to major pop concerts whose headlining acts probably commute everywhere in them. The fact that a major airport is close, is quite frankly irrelevant, helicopters are by their very nature designed to land 'off airfield' and that's one of the reasons why we fly them.
On this occasion, you don't agree (and that's fine), but I think you will find that the majority of us do agree that the NEC should and could accommodate them.
Actually, in truth I think we should have a constitutional right to land them anywhere that is safe !!! I think I'll run for Prime Minister and make it my second act as leader of the Govt!
Joel
You might just find that handy (and his previous alter ego, john du'pruyting) has been a member of this forum for a considerably longer time than you.
The NEC is different from most other conference centres in that it has an international airport right next door to it. Land there. Get over it.
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I rather resent the fact that you think I'm not heli friendly. The NEC's business is running exhibitions. Do you think for a minute that if they thought they could make money out of having a helicopter landing zome then presumably they would already have one.
At quite a lot of their shows it is a least £5 to park. In the space it takes to land a light helicopter you can probably park somewhere in the region of 10-15 cars probably more if you start thinking about the space required in case something goes wrong. Add to this they know nothing about aviation and they have an airport next door and I think you can start to see why perhaps they don't have helicopters land on their site.
Also if you checked the poeple that own the NEC are the pretty much the same people that own the airport.
I guess we may never agree on this particular matter.
As for do I own a helicopter the answer is no.
At quite a lot of their shows it is a least £5 to park. In the space it takes to land a light helicopter you can probably park somewhere in the region of 10-15 cars probably more if you start thinking about the space required in case something goes wrong. Add to this they know nothing about aviation and they have an airport next door and I think you can start to see why perhaps they don't have helicopters land on their site.
Also if you checked the poeple that own the NEC are the pretty much the same people that own the airport.
I guess we may never agree on this particular matter.
As for do I own a helicopter the answer is no.
Purveyor of Egg Liqueur to Lucifer
What a great thread, where to start!
Joel;
Lets read what the actual International Conference Centre in Birmingham has to say;
The ICC, Birmingham - The UK's Premier Conference Centre
Of course there's always The Edinburgh International Conference Centre;
eicc.co.uk :: Home
Then there's Harrogate ICC, Riviera ICC (Torquay) etc, etc. Funnily enough all with the same attitude you refer to, that being;
Joel;
Apparently the 200 acres of land (or however much it is) that the NEC have isn't big enough to get a chopper into.
Pretty pathetic for an International Conference centre.
Pretty pathetic for an International Conference centre.
Lets read what the actual International Conference Centre in Birmingham has to say;
The ICC, Birmingham - The UK's Premier Conference Centre
By Air
Birmingham International Airport (BHX) is located adjacent to Birmingham International Station. Travellers can access the city centre and The ICC quickly and conveniently by train or road.
Once You've Landed
Taxi
Taxi ranks are situated outside of the passenger terminals. Black cabs are the safest way to travel and each vehicle carries 5 people with luggage. The ICC is approximately a 16 mile journey by taxi from Birmingham International Airport.
Birmingham International Airport (BHX) is located adjacent to Birmingham International Station. Travellers can access the city centre and The ICC quickly and conveniently by train or road.
Once You've Landed
Taxi
Taxi ranks are situated outside of the passenger terminals. Black cabs are the safest way to travel and each vehicle carries 5 people with luggage. The ICC is approximately a 16 mile journey by taxi from Birmingham International Airport.
Of course there's always The Edinburgh International Conference Centre;
eicc.co.uk :: Home
Whether you are travelling to the EICC from the UK or overseas Edinburgh is very easy to reach. Being located just 7 miles away, the EICC is easily accessible from Edinburgh International Airport; click here for information on how to reach the EICC after arriving by plane.
if the NEC don't want to allow heli's to land there then that's their prerogative.
Gawd - here we go again...
SilsoeSid
With respect, I think you've missed the point. Obviously, those directions pages are addressing Joe Public, because 99.99% of Joe Publics don't have regular access to a heli.
Joel's point is two-fold: first, don't rip off people arriving in a heli, just because they arrive in a heli and second, why would a heli arrival want to pay £70+ to park at an international airport if there is the possibility of parking at the event (without affecting H&S, revenue from other visitors, etc.)? The NEC has plenty of space for [at least] one helipad. As Shytorque said, if senior mgt of the NEC can't sort it out, I suspect there are other reasons that we don't know about but, as far as I can see, there is no obvious commercial, environmental or risk issue that would prevent helis landing adjacent to the NEC.
Handysnaks
I think it's an unfair assumption. Are you suggesting that when I fly down to Celtic Manor to watch the Ryder Cup in a couple of weeks (a major event with 000's of visitors and next to an international airport), I should land at EGTG instead of its helipad (albeit £150 landing fee for non-residents 
)?
FSXPilot
I have no doubt they would make money by having a pad on-site; it would attract a wider audience and have no impact on road vehicle parking because it would be positioned so as not to interfere with existing parking facilities.
Bravo73
But not as long as me! What's that got to do with the price of fish anyway 
And as for:
Not really got the point either, have we...
TTB
SilsoeSid
With respect, I think you've missed the point. Obviously, those directions pages are addressing Joe Public, because 99.99% of Joe Publics don't have regular access to a heli.
Joel's point is two-fold: first, don't rip off people arriving in a heli, just because they arrive in a heli and second, why would a heli arrival want to pay £70+ to park at an international airport if there is the possibility of parking at the event (without affecting H&S, revenue from other visitors, etc.)? The NEC has plenty of space for [at least] one helipad. As Shytorque said, if senior mgt of the NEC can't sort it out, I suspect there are other reasons that we don't know about but, as far as I can see, there is no obvious commercial, environmental or risk issue that would prevent helis landing adjacent to the NEC.
Handysnaks
When a place like the NEC has a location which is deliberately close to a major airport, the assumption is that that is where the aircraft (of any type), will land
)?FSXPilot
Do you think for a minute that if they thought they could make money out of having a helicopter landing zome then presumably they would already have one. At quite a lot of their shows it is a least £5 to park. In the space it takes to land a light helicopter you can probably park somewhere in the region of 10-15 cars probably more if you start thinking about the space required in case something goes wrong.
Bravo73
You might just find that handy (and his previous alter ego, john du'pruyting) has been a member of this forum for a considerably longer time than you.
And as for:
The NEC is different from most other conference centres in that it has an international airport right next door to it. Land there. Get over it.
TTB
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In which case I suggest you contect the NEC with a view to helping them allow helicopters land there and see how you get on. If you're really clever you might make some money out of it.
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Bloody hell,
I cant believe what I'm reading here !!! Have I got this right?
I'm in a HELICOPTER forum. It's for people that fly, enjoy the use of, or are otherwise interested in helicopters. Interested, usually, in a positive fashion.
Its called Rotorheads. Its name implies that we like things with a rotor. Sort of like "petrol head" implies that people like things with a motor. I didn't realise I was in the 'do we or don't we like helicopters' forum. And yet, here I am discussing a subject where people are seemingly anti-helicopter.
So for those that are in the wrong place (and I know I'm not). The Rotorheads forum is usually for those people who like everything helicopter and would like to use them for what they were designed for, namely, landing the f
king thing right outside the front door. Not unreasonable considering its a HELICOPTER!!
SilsoeSid, thanks for pointing out all the venues that don't' accept heli's - I wont be going to them. And I couldn't give a rat's ass if there's an airport next door because, If I wanted to land at a bloody airport, and then take a taxi to wherever I was going, I'd fly into it in a plane. Which fortunately I am also capable of doing.
Guys, if you lot don't think that major public venues, having appropriate regard for all the usual issues, shouldn't be helicopter friendly then fk off to another forum. Because most of us here are pro-heli!
The funny thing is - I don't want to even land at the NEC at the moment!
Unbelievable
I cant believe what I'm reading here !!! Have I got this right?
I'm in a HELICOPTER forum. It's for people that fly, enjoy the use of, or are otherwise interested in helicopters. Interested, usually, in a positive fashion.
Its called Rotorheads. Its name implies that we like things with a rotor. Sort of like "petrol head" implies that people like things with a motor. I didn't realise I was in the 'do we or don't we like helicopters' forum. And yet, here I am discussing a subject where people are seemingly anti-helicopter.
So for those that are in the wrong place (and I know I'm not). The Rotorheads forum is usually for those people who like everything helicopter and would like to use them for what they were designed for, namely, landing the f
king thing right outside the front door. Not unreasonable considering its a HELICOPTER!!SilsoeSid, thanks for pointing out all the venues that don't' accept heli's - I wont be going to them. And I couldn't give a rat's ass if there's an airport next door because, If I wanted to land at a bloody airport, and then take a taxi to wherever I was going, I'd fly into it in a plane. Which fortunately I am also capable of doing.
Guys, if you lot don't think that major public venues, having appropriate regard for all the usual issues, shouldn't be helicopter friendly then f
k off to another forum. Because most of us here are pro-heli!The funny thing is - I don't want to even land at the NEC at the moment!
Unbelievable
Last edited by JTobias; 15th Sep 2010 at 19:24.
Tightgit
Handysnaks,
I'm sure in the flesh you're a really nice guy. But this forum, which you are welcome to be a member of, is for people who are traditionally pro-heli.
No, we don't all go around thinking, or expecting, that because some of us fly them, or own them, that we have a god given right to land them where we like, but we do like to think that most people here are heli friendly.
You just don't seem to be. (at least on this topic) .
I'm sure in the flesh you're a really nice guy. But this forum, which you are welcome to be a member of, is for people who are traditionally pro-heli.
No, we don't all go around thinking, or expecting, that because some of us fly them, or own them, that we have a god given right to land them where we like, but we do like to think that most people here are heli friendly.
You just don't seem to be. (at least on this topic) .
(as long as you ignore the actual flesh)Partially disagreeing with your opinion on the NEC does not make me helicopter-unfriendly!
Handysnaks
Quote:
When a place like the NEC has a location which is deliberately close to a major airport, the assumption is that that is where the aircraft (of any type), will land
I think it's an unfair assumption. Are you suggesting that when I fly down to Celtic Manor to watch the Ryder Cup in a couple of weeks (a major event with 000's of visitors and next to an international airport), I should land at EGTG instead of its helipad (albeit £150 landing fee for non-residents )?
Quote:
When a place like the NEC has a location which is deliberately close to a major airport, the assumption is that that is where the aircraft (of any type), will land
I think it's an unfair assumption. Are you suggesting that when I fly down to Celtic Manor to watch the Ryder Cup in a couple of weeks (a major event with 000's of visitors and next to an international airport), I should land at EGTG instead of its helipad (albeit £150 landing fee for non-residents )?
It would appear that the NEC doesn't have a helipad. They do however have a major international airport next door. So if you want to fly to the NEC I suggest that you land at the airport and get a taxi.
Those two options are not mutually exclusive.
The NEC has plenty of space for [at least] one helipad. As Shytorque said, if senior mgt of the NEC can't sort it out, I suspect there are other reasons that we don't know about but, as far as I can see, there is no obvious commercial, environmental or risk issue that would prevent helis landing adjacent to the NEC.
Joel
So for those that are in the wrong place (and I know I'm not). The Rotorheads forum is usually for those people who like everything helicopter and would like to use them for what they were designed for, namely, landing the fking thing right outside the front door. Not unreasonable considering its a HELICOPTER!!
) operators of helicopters have to do so in a real world, populated occasionally by enthusiasts like ourselves, sometimes by those who are indifferent and also by others who resent the environmental intrusion that our activities bring! Now if you want to land your helicopter outside 'the front door' that may not be unreasonable to you but depending on where that front door is, it may be unreasonable to one or more others! Taking the views of non-helicopter lovers into consideration is hardly anti-helicopter! Ignoring their views is certainly not pro-helicopter!
The helicopter industry as a whole, is more than just you (I don't mean that disparagingly by the way). Operating helicopters in today’s political, industrial, environmental and equally important, social climate involves an awful lot of compromise. Just take a look at the efforts the major users of Battersea go through to keep the local population on board with continued operations at the heliport there! Sometimes we can use the helicopter exactly as we wish and sometimes we can't.
By the way, I don't want to land at the NEC either!
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Handysnaks
Thanks for the reply. I didnt, dont and never do want an argument with anyone. However, some of us here are heli-mad (guilty as charged). I don't really have a problem if the NEC dont want helicopters there, but, its not UNREASONABLE that a major international exhibition centre, in a developed country with plenty of space might just facilitate helicopters. To be honest I think they should actually encourage it. (But that's my opinion)
I know not everyone would agree with that, but all I and a few others are saying is that we're not really expecting something completely ridiculous. Years ago the prospect of landing at a hotel or restaurant might have seemed preposterous, now hundred, thousands of places "off airport" allow landings.
I regularly ring up new places and ask if they will allow helicopters in and 95% of the time I get a very enthusiastic yes and a friendly welcome. All some of us are saying is that it is definitely a venue that is capable of taking them and in this modern, progressive day and age - it should.
Simples........
How about we just agree to dis-agree ?
Joel
Thanks for the reply. I didnt, dont and never do want an argument with anyone. However, some of us here are heli-mad (guilty as charged). I don't really have a problem if the NEC dont want helicopters there, but, its not UNREASONABLE that a major international exhibition centre, in a developed country with plenty of space might just facilitate helicopters. To be honest I think they should actually encourage it. (But that's my opinion)
I know not everyone would agree with that, but all I and a few others are saying is that we're not really expecting something completely ridiculous. Years ago the prospect of landing at a hotel or restaurant might have seemed preposterous, now hundred, thousands of places "off airport" allow landings.
I regularly ring up new places and ask if they will allow helicopters in and 95% of the time I get a very enthusiastic yes and a friendly welcome. All some of us are saying is that it is definitely a venue that is capable of taking them and in this modern, progressive day and age - it should.
Simples........
How about we just agree to dis-agree ?
Joel