A Sikorsky S-76A landing on London Heliport's helipad jetty on the River Thames, Battersea Railway Bridge in the background

Helicoptors parked with rotors turning, at the London Heliport

The London Heliport at Battersea, London is the capital's main and busiest heliport. The facility is located on the south bank of the River Thames, some two miles upstream of the Palace of Westminster, between Wandsworth Bridge and Battersea Railway Bridge, at the coordinates N 56° 28 12', W 00° 10 46' and 18 feet (5 m) above mean sea level (AMSL).

The heliport is a very small site, making use of a jetty to provide a helipad for take-off and landing, and onshore parking for between three and four aircraft, depending upon size. The heliport provides landing, parking and refuelling services between 08:00 and 21:00 (flights are permitted between 07:00 and 23:00), albeit parking is normally restricted to smaller helicoptor categories.

Flight conditions and procedures at the heliport prescribe a circuit height 1000 metres above the Thames, in an extended figure-of-eight over the water, to seek to minimise noise pollution for residents in the area. Ground running of rotors is restricted to a maxiumum of five minutes for the same reason. Landing fees are, as at June 2004, from £75 to £995 depending upon the helicopter type; additional costs accrue for parking, early or late flights, and flights in evening peak times.

External link

• London Heliport website (http://www.weston-aviation.com/index.htm)