Tresco Heliport

Tresco Heliport (ICAO: EGHT) is a heliport located on the island of Tresco, in the Isles of Scilly off the southwest coast of England, UK.[2] The heliport was served by a scheduled helicopter service from 1983 to 2012, and since 2020 a new scheduled service now operates from the new Penzance Heliport.[3][4] Currently, Tresco Heliport offers a landing site for private and charter helicopters by private arrangement.[5]

Tresco Heliport
Summary
Airport typePublic
OperatorTresco Estates
LocationTresco, Isles of Scilly
Elevation AMSL20 ft / 6 m
Coordinates49°56′44″N 006°19′53″W
Map
EGHT is located in Isles of Scilly
EGHT
EGHT
Location on Isles of Scilly
Helipads
Number Length Surface
m ft
07/25 30 × 30 98 × 98 Grass
Sources: UK AIP at NATS[1]
The heliport with one of British International Helicopters' Sikorsky S-61 helicopters on the ramp
The terminal building, with part of the island's famous Abbey Gardens in the background

History

Tresco Heliport had a CAA Ordinary Licence (Number P677) that allowed flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction as authorised by the licensee. The aerodrome was not licensed for night use.[6]

The heliport was owned and operated by Tresco Estate, who lease the island from the Duchy of Cornwall. Tresco Heliport was opened by John King, Baron King of Wartnaby, Chairman of British Airways, on 26 April 1983.

Tresco's principal industry is tourism, and the heliport supported this by enabling a scheduled helicopter service to and from the mainland. This scheduled service came to an end in 2012.

On summer weekdays the heliport received up to six flights a day from Penzance Heliport on the mainland, with two services a day in winter. Passengers were conveyed from the heliport to their resort or destination on a passenger carrying trailer drawn by a farm tractor.[7] A footpath from one of the main landing beaches, at Carn Near, to the Abbey Gardens crosses the heliport landing field;[8] it was closed by warning lights and bells a few minutes before a helicopter was due to land at the heliport, and opened again after the helicopter had taken off.

The heliport was officially closed on 31 October 2012 and all commercial flights ceased operations. Private and charter helicopter flights to Tresco are still welcomed by the owner, by prior arrangement.

New helicopter service from 2020

In 2016, plans were announced for a new helicopter service between a new Penzance Heliport and the Isles of Scilly.

The service launched in March 2020[9] and flights now operate into both St Mary's Airport and Tresco Heliport under the name of Penzance Helicopters, operated by Sloane Helicopters.[10]

Airlines and destinations
AirlinesDestinations
Sloane Helicopters Penzance[11]

See also

References
  1. Tresco – EGHT
  2. United Kingdom, AIP
  3. "Home | Penzance Helicopters". penzancehelicopters.co.uk. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  4. "Fly Direct to Tresco Island with Penzance Helicopters | Tresco Island".
  5. "Tresco Heliport | Tresco Island". tresco.co.uk. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  6. Civil Aviation Authority Aerodrome Ordinary Licences
  7. "British International Isle of Scilly Helicopters". British International Ltd. Retrieved 18 January 2007.
  8. Grid reference SV 8937 1404
  9. "Penzance Helicopters welcome their first passengers onboard the NEW Isles of Scilly helicopter service | Penzance Helicopters". penzancehelicopters.co.uk. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  10. "Home | Penzance Helicopters". penzancehelicopters.co.uk. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  11. "Fly Direct to Tresco Island with Penzance Helicopters | Tresco Island".
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