1. Board of County Commissioners
Helitour Regulation
November 29, 2016

2. Presentation Outline Background
Approval, Permitting and Conditioning the Use
Operational Issues and Enforcement
Use Compatibility
Next Steps

3. Background Three operators in I-Drive area Proposed fourth location
Resident complaints
Operator complaints

4. Background BCC requested work session to discuss the following: Safety
Compatibility
Regulations
Enforcement
Photo provided by Slade Downs

5. Approval and Permitting
Multiple jurisdictions responsible for permitting:
Federal Aviation Authority
Pilots / operators
Safety recommendations for heliports
Florida Department of Transportation
Heliports
Orange County
Use

6. Approval and Permitting
Orange County has permitted the use through the Development Review Committee (DRC) under the PD (Planned Development) process.
DRC has imposed conditions regarding:
Helicopter size / type
Occupancy
Operating hours

7. Operational Issues / Enforcement
Difficult to enforce County conditions
Infrequency / timing of flights
Identification of operators

8. Compatibility and Use
I-Drive Vision did not address helitour uses

9. Regulations in Other Municipalities
Clark County, Nevada (Las Vegas)
Clark County has a comparable heli-tourism industry to that of Orange County
Clark County Advisory Committee on Helicopter Noise
Consult with the FAA, BCC, and other bodies to reduce helicopter noise while considering safety and efficiency.
Ability to propose voluntary helicopter flight paths.
Clark County Code
Stipulates that any structure with a helicopter function or near a structure with a helicopter function must receive approval from the FAA prior to development review.

10. Regulations in Other Municipalities
New York City, New York
New York City Helicopter Sightseeing Plan
New York City Economic Development Corp. (NYCEDC) negotiated with the Helicopter Tourism and Jobs Council to create this landmark agreement.
50% reduction in flights by No flights on Sundays.
Routes restricted to 2 paths strictly over rivers.
Operators provide monthly figures on flights conducted, and NYCEDC has authority to mandate further reductions in operations if operators are in violation.
Further Measures
NYCEDC banned helitours less than 8 minutes long (2010)
NYCEDC created a website to submit helicopter noise complaints
New York North Shore Helicopter Route (see prev. slides)

11. Regulations in Other Municipalities
Orlando, Florida
Permits
Heliport permits issued for 1 year
Permits are issued only if a list of standards (safety, turbulence, bona fide need, etc.) are met
Permits can be revoked at a City Council meeting if the permit holder is in violation of the law, has altered the physical profile of the heliport, or the area surrounding the heliport is altered to become unsafe
Applications for Aeronautical Operations
Applications are approved by PD, FD, Planning, and the Office of the Mayor.

12. Next Steps
Contract with a subject matter expert to determine the following:
Market saturation
Reasonable regulations
County permitting requirements
Options for enforcement

13. Board of County Commissioners
Helitour Regulation
November 29, 2016