Ready to take off over the city? We’re at the West 30th Street Heliport. This heliport is a launchpad to New York’s skies. It has a history as rich as the city itself.
The West 30th Street Heliport was originally built in 1956. The Port of New York Authority constructed it. Since 1981 Air Pegasus has been operating the facility. Currently the heliport operates under an agreement with the Hudson River Park Trust.
Back in 1953, Edward F Cavanagh Jr proposed a helicopter landing area. He was the New York City Marine and Aviation Department Commissioner. He wanted to serve Midtown Manhattan along the Hudson River waterfront. The proposed heliport would require PA approval. This was because of a 1947 pact between the city and the PA. It related to the development of new airport facilities.
Initially, there were debates about the heliport’s design. The city proposed a rooftop heliport. The PA advocated for a ground-level landing pad. The Civil Aeronautics Administration endorsed the PA’s plan in 1956.
Construction of the West 30th Street Heliport started in July 1956. The facility opened on September 26, 1956. New York Airways operated Sikorsky S-55s carrying mail to La Guardia and Newark airports. It was Manhattan’s first commercial heliport. Passenger flights started a few weeks later.
In December 1956 New York Airways began scheduled passenger flights. They flew between the West 30th Street Heliport and La Guardia and Newark airports. They used five-passenger Sikorsky S-55s. Direct helicopter service to New York International Airport was added in August 1957.
Initially, projections estimated 1 million passengers a year by 1965. By 1970 the projection was 5 million. The actual demand was much lower. Only 11990 annual passengers were handled by 1959. Low passenger volumes were thought to be due to competition from taxis and scheduling issues.
In December 1961 New York Airways suspended all operations at the West 30th Street Heliport. They were only using it for mail and cargo services at the time.
Americus Airways provided scheduled helicopter service in December 1969. They flew between Allentown, Pennsylvania and the West 30th Street Heliport. The flights were discontinued in November 1970. The service failed to attract enough passengers.
The West 30th Street Heliport had 1916 annual operations in 1980. In 1981 Air Pegasus became the private operator of the facility. By 1983 helicopter traffic increased significantly. The landing pad was often called the VIP Heliport.
In September 1984, Resorts International Airline began service to Atlantic City. They used 24-passenger Sikorsky S-61s. In 1988, RIA was rebranded as Trump Air. Trump Air ended its helicopter service to Atlantic City in 1991.
In the mid-1990s, there were plans to relocate the heliport. The Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum considered using the Guadalcanal as a floating heliport. The plan was abandoned after local residents objected.
In 2010, tourist flights were scheduled to move to Downtown Manhattan Heliport. However, the heliport remained open at its original site. As of 2013, state legislation allowed it to stay.
KJRA has one published Instrument Procedures: COPTER RNAV GPS 210. Today the West 30th Street Heliport remains a vital part of New York City’s transportation network. It has adapted to changing times while retaining its historical significance. It is a testament to the city’s constant evolution and innovation.