Vertical Aviation International is urging members to write to the New York State legislature to oppose two recently introduced bills that call for closing the West 30th Street Heliport. “This attempt to shutter the heliport is the most serious threat to this essential facility in more than 20 years,” the association said.
The bills—A.10224 and S.9408—would amend the Hudson River Park Act to prohibit “any facility for motorized aircraft, including a heliport” and remove language that previously allowed operation of the heliport and its facilities, including the only fuel service at a city heliport.
“VAI strongly believes that closing the only 24/7 heliport with refueling capabilities in the region would lead to dramatic economic impacts for New York City and New York State, including job losses. Additional negative effects of closing the heliport include increased congestion on local roads, less access for emergency and healthcare services, and threats to the coming introduction of technologically advanced, greener vertical-flight aircraft.”
While the bills don’t define “motorized aircraft,” Josh Rousseau, VAI Northeastern U.S. regional representative, explained that the definition isn’t necessarily pertinent. “It gets at the facility. If it doesn’t exist, it doesn’t matter what kind of aircraft [are prohibited]. It means the facility disappeared.”
The West 30th Street Heliport isn’t used for tour flights. “[We] stand to lose a major vertical aviation asset that serves multiple purposes,” he said. Business and government travelers use the heliport, and its shutdown “would be a significant economic loss to New York City and New York State, beyond the emergency response applications. This is a unique facility. We understand that the community has concerns, but banning operations or closing facilities are not answers. Community compatibility is a major priority for our members and the industry as a whole, and we’re constantly working with local organizations and community groups to fly safely and responsibly as our members live and work in the communities in which they operate.”
Once a facility like the West 30th Heliport disappears, Rousseau added, “it’s not coming back.”
“As we await the certification of new technologically advanced and greener vertical aircraft, we should be investing in our infrastructure, not tearing it down,” he said.