Helicopter operation expected to multiply

This may be dubbed as people’s penchant for choppers. The civil aviation ministry is receiving a flurry of applications from the high and all-mighty for roof-top helipads across the country. While it could be just a beginning, helicopter operation in the country is expected to multiply over the next few years.
Complementing it, the government is planning to build heliports—airports for helicopters—in Delhi and Mumbai. A heliport houses control tower and hangars, besides facilities for passengers and cargo, unlike helipad, which just provides landing and taking-off for helicopters. At present, the country has only one heliport in the north-east state of Arunachal Pradesh.
In a move to fast-track the helicopter operation, the government is also planning to separate the air traffic control (ATC) procedures from that of commercial aircraft. This would significantly reduce the waiting time of helicopters at airports for ATC clearance. The airport operators give priority to commercial aircraft rather than small charter, non-scheduled aircraft and helicopters.
03/04/08 Nirbhay Kumar/Economic Times

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Apr 2008