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, 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) southwest of Westminster Bridge and the Palace of Westminster, between Wandsworth Bridge and Battersea Railway Bridge.

The heliport, once owned by Westland and then Harrods, 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 helicopter categories.

Flight conditions and procedures at the heliport prescribe a circuit height 1000 feet above the Thames, in an extended figure-of-eight over the water, to seek to minimise noise pollution for residents in the area and to constrain flight operations to over the river, away from the built-up area. Ground running of rotors is restricted to a maxiumum of five minutes for the same reason.

In December 2003, the heliport was acquired by Weston Homes. Landing fees in April 2006 were from £90 to £1075 depending upon the helicopter type; additional costs accrue for parking, early or late flights, and flights in evening peak times.

tags: london, heliport

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