New Penzance Heliport on the way??
Popping not an option
It happens that I had lunch at the 'old heliport' today and looked out over the bay remembering what an ideal site this had been.
Unrestricted approach from the south with no buildings or other problems, and 'as was' good radar coverage from Culdrose.
There was an NDB on site and the S61 carried its own radar in the nose.
Any height to be lost was always carried out over the sea so the machine was always VFR for the final few miles. It also so happens that the approach path was directly over a British Rail freight/terminus yard which had the added advantage of being festooned with very bright lights at all times,and therefore an excellent reference point for the final approach. The Heliport had its own pad lights and was licensed for night operations which meant that that extra flights did not have to cease at dusk. The real tragedy in all this was the failure of the local planning authority to protect this vital transport link for future use as the loss was indeed a blow to the Scillies and the PZ local economy. The new Heliport will have to contend with a more built up area and a subsequent increase in regulations but it still will have a far better WX factor than L-End and is closer to the existing transport links, plus even more brighter lights from British rail !!!!.
Unrestricted approach from the south with no buildings or other problems, and 'as was' good radar coverage from Culdrose.
There was an NDB on site and the S61 carried its own radar in the nose.
Any height to be lost was always carried out over the sea so the machine was always VFR for the final few miles. It also so happens that the approach path was directly over a British Rail freight/terminus yard which had the added advantage of being festooned with very bright lights at all times,and therefore an excellent reference point for the final approach. The Heliport had its own pad lights and was licensed for night operations which meant that that extra flights did not have to cease at dusk. The real tragedy in all this was the failure of the local planning authority to protect this vital transport link for future use as the loss was indeed a blow to the Scillies and the PZ local economy. The new Heliport will have to contend with a more built up area and a subsequent increase in regulations but it still will have a far better WX factor than L-End and is closer to the existing transport links, plus even more brighter lights from British rail !!!!.
What will a ticket cost?
We anticipate a standard adult return fare will cost around £230.
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Plus the 600ft. elevation, plus the diversion fuel to an area with a marked difference in meteorological conditions, plus the holding fuel, plus 10%.
Not to Tresco
The operator of Tresco heliport has made it clear that the ISSCO helicopter service will NOT be able to land there.
As this is the 'valuable' sector/service it rather defeats having a service at all from L-end.
Sad that this unique service that started so long ago, and was a major factor in promoting all the Isles, has been the subject of such squabbling and poor decisions by those that should know better.
As this is the 'valuable' sector/service it rather defeats having a service at all from L-end.
Sad that this unique service that started so long ago, and was a major factor in promoting all the Isles, has been the subject of such squabbling and poor decisions by those that should know better.
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The operator of Tresco heliport has made it clear that the ISSCO helicopter service will NOT be able to land there
The public reaction to today’s announcement has shown that people want genuine choice and real resilience in the Isles of Scilly transport system. That has always been our vision, and today we reaffirm that commitment.
