Whispers of Howard Hughes still echo around the Hughes Corporate Heliport. This place is more than just a helipad. It is a portal to a bygone era of innovation and eccentricity.
The Hughes Corporate Heliport is located 11 miles southwest of Los Angeles. Its coordinates pinpoint a place steeped in aviation history. The helipad, measuring 120 x 60 feet, sits at an elevation of 75 feet.
Once, this area was part of the vast Hughes Airport. Howard Hughes, the enigmatic tycoon, owned the airport for his Hughes Aircraft Company. From 1940 until its closure in 1985, this was his aviation playground.
Hughes bought 380 acres of Ballona wetlands in 1940. He built a runway that stretched 9,600 feet. By 1962, the paved runway reached 8,800 feet. It was said to be the longest runway on the West Coast.
Takeoffs required coordination with Los Angeles International Airport. The Hughes Airport buzzed with aircraft and helicopter development projects. These projects belonged to the Hughes Aircraft Co. and Hughes Tool Company.
Here at Hughes Corporate Heliport, the “Spruce Goose” was born. Officially known as the Hughes H-4 Hercules, it was constructed here. The aircraft was moved in sections to the Port of Long Beach. There, it was re-assembled for its first and only flight.
A climate-controlled hangar housed the Spruce Goose at Long Beach. A crew of 300, sworn to secrecy, maintained it. After Hughes’s death in 1976, the crew disbanded.
By the mid-1990s, the former Hughes Aircraft hangars transformed into sound stages. Movies like Titanic and What Women Want used these spaces. The hangar that once housed the Hercules nearly became a National Register of Historic Buildings landmark.
Today, the Playa Vista development occupies the former Hughes Airport. Yet, the spirit of Howard Hughes lingers. The Hughes Corporate Heliport stands as a reminder of his ambition. It is also a testament to his impact on aviation history.
Loyola Marymount University owns the Hughes Corporate Heliport today. Mike Wong manages it. For perimeter lights, a call to 818-375-4501 during normal business hours is required. For CD, contact Los Angeles ARTCC at 661-575-2079.
So, as you stand here at Hughes Corporate Heliport, remember Howard Hughes. Think of his vision. Imagine the roar of engines and the ambition that once filled this space. This is not just a helipad. It is a monument to a legend.