Helipad Approval?

[Jetpad]

Has anyone had to go through the application process to have a new helipad approved for commercial use?

The objective of this venture would be to strike a heads of agreement with the powers that be with a view to subleasing the helipad facilities to corporate and scenic operators in a commercial sense.

Could anyone possibly comment on the pros and cons of this proposal and add any suggestions that may be helpful in getting it off the ground? - no pun intended

[mgahan]

Standards and compliance

A minefield for the uninitiated but there are some easier paths for the experienced.

check your PMs.
MJG

[Savoia]

Could anyone possibly comment on the pros and cons of this proposal ..

Precious few details to make a meaningful comment Jetpad but .. some comments nonetheless:

• Are you considering developing a facility as a commercial venture?
• If so, why has no one 'beaten you to it' (specifically an operator) - could be some valuable historical details to unearth!
• Helipad/port revenues can only return meaningful income if the facility is in a strategic location and attracts a fair number of movements. (The two are usually connected).

There is an array of commercial, technical and legislative detail which must be thoroughly assessed if a heliport is to be legal and ultimately successful.

The most obvious scenario (from the perspective of potential) is when the developer owns land in a strategic location (usually a city centre) and is keen to establish such a facility. Often the developer is an aviation enthusiast because heliports can rarely return the same dividends as residential or commercial accommodation for example.

I continue to be amazed by those landing facilities I have happened upon around the globe which are not only flagrantly non-compliant with national (usually CAA) and town planning requirements but which are just downright dangerous.

Helipads/ports are going to become of increasing significance over the coming decade as the arteries feeding many metropolitan centres come under increased pressure to perform.

Perhaps, finally, for the first time since the inception of the helicopter, shall we see its wider acceptance as a vital logistics tool for key professionals as opposed to the plaything of a privileged few.

S.

[FlightPathOBN]

Jet,

What is the geographical location of the helipads?

[John Eacott]

As mentioned, it will depend on your local council to start with. Victoria (and IIRC NSW) have a State requirement that deems a helipad/heliport to be a Planning Requirement, so you would automatically have to go through your local council planning approval procedure. Over the years (since the State requirement was introduced by the Kirner Government) most Victorian councils have become more inclined to take the easy way out and deny applications if met with objections from 'concerned residents'. Sometimes this can be negated by a hearts and minds campaign, eg take the neighbours for a flight, but generally it is a hard road to travel.

EIS would be likely for a commercial venture, I've heard of $60k+ costs involved which is again a PITA not to be entered into unless there is a degree of certainty to the application. Limiting the number of movements is also a possibility, which could make a commercial pad unprofitable.

There are many other issues to consider, but without knowing your location, any comments here could be either useless or deceptive!