Downtown Dallas has a hidden gem. It is not a building. It is the 11 Tv Dallas Heliport. This facility is a testament to Dallas’s innovative spirit.
The 11 Tv Dallas Heliport is not just any helipad. It is the world’s largest urban elevated heliport and vertiport. The City of Dallas owns this public-use facility. It sits on the south end of the Dallas Convention Center.
Imagine arriving at the Dallas Convention Center. Above you sits a huge aviation facility. This is no ordinary rooftop. The 11 Tv Dallas Heliport boasts a dual deck. It can handle three helicopters. It also accommodates two vertical take-off and landing aircraft.
The original idea was for air carrier service. It was envisioned in the 90s. People could arrive at the Vertiport. Then they could board a helicopter to DFW Airport. Maybe they would fly to other cities. Austin or San Antonio were options. The idea never fully took off.
Rick Ellis gave tours of the 11 Tv Dallas Heliport. He is a Senior Airport Operations Officer. He showed visitors the interesting features. He escorted them through curving ramps and security gates. They went up to the flight deck level. The loading dock used by the Convention Center was on the way.
The flight deck is huge. There are two landing spots for rotorcraft. Helicopters taxi into one of five parking spots. Numbers on the pavement indicate maximum weight. This differs from runway numbers. Runway numbers align with magnetic compass headings.
The 11 Tv Dallas Heliport offers amazing views of Downtown Dallas. The terminal building has been used in movies and TV shows. Inside, there are couches and restrooms. A sign-in log for arriving aircraft shows minimal use.
Downstairs, an empty parking lot awaits Vertiport users. A turnstile leads to the DART Convention Center Station. One could take the light rail. Then board a helicopter to Oklahoma City. At least that was the initial dream.
The main problem is the lack of traffic. The facilities are nice but deserted. Perhaps Dallas will revitalize the 11 Tv Dallas Heliport. If done right, it could be successful.
So next time you are in Dallas look up. You might just see activity at the 11 Tv Dallas Heliport. It is a unique part of the city’s landscape. It is a testament to aviation innovation.