Experiences with an Operational Heliport

Extract

The subject matter of this paper is primarily an account of operational experience over a comparatively short period resulting from helicopter activities at the Westland London Heliport. At the outset it is appropriate to recall publication by the Helicopter Association of Great Britain, in January, 1958, of a widely circulated report entitled “Examination of the Case for a London Heliport”. There in was expressed the opinion that there existed an immediate need for an operating base in the inner metropolitan area for use by single-engined helicopters. Further, that it was mistaken policy for the then Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation to relate the need for a London heliport to the future advent of multi-engined helicopters. In the meantime the initiative had been taken by Westland Aircraft as a private venture to provide a suitable site, and to accept financial responsibility for all procedural and constructional work associated with its development and operation.