Analyses of Heliport System Plans.

State and city governments generally realize that continued vitality depends on a steady expansion of industry and services as a function of planned growth. The helicopter is a proven catalyst for enhancement of those desired growth patterns. However, without the necessary support infrastructure, this positive contribution of the helicopter cannot be realized. Determining the need for such a support system can be achieved through an understanding of local helicopter activities and the metropolitan or state-wide socio-economic dynamics in which they occur. This allows for data base development, including a fleet inventory, and analysis to provide a foundation for determining current, and forecasting future, helicopter activity and support facility requirements. The purpose of this study is to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of various existing heliport system plans. Planning concepts are identified and defined to include 1 baseline parameters for evaluating the plans, 2 identifying data and their sources needed for planning purposes at any jurisdictional level, and 3 developing criteria for assessing the feasibility and economic viability of proposed heliport facilities. The study covers four state heliport system plans Michigan, New Jersey, Louisiana, and Ohio and four metropolitan heliport plans Pittsburgh, PA Phoenix, AZ Houston, TX and Washington, D.C..