West Chester, US πΊπΈ Closed Airport
US-10432
-
273 ft
US-PA
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Loading...GPS Code: Not available
Local Code: Not available
Location: 39.966801Β° N, -75.649695Β° E
Continent: NA
Type: Closed Airport
Keywords: 5PA4
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Designation | Length | Width | Surface | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
H1/ |
60 ft | 60 ft | TURF | Active |
Circa 2010-2015. The heliport fell into disuse during this period, based on satellite imagery showing a lack of maintenance. It was officially and permanently closed following the death of the property owner in 2017 and the subsequent sale of the estate in 2018.
The heliport was a private facility that was closed for personal and economic reasons. Its use ceased when the owner no longer required it, and it was formally decommissioned when the property, Black Swan Farm, was sold by the owner's estate. There was no military conversion or accident associated with its closure.
The site is now part of a privately-owned residential and agricultural estate. The physical helipad, a circular paved area in a field southeast of the main residence, is no longer maintained for aviation. While its outline is still faintly visible in satellite imagery, it is overgrown with grass and is considered a defunct landscape feature. The property is used as a private residence and farm, with no active aviation operations.
The heliport was a private-use (PPR) facility located on 'Black Swan Farm,' the sprawling 323-acre estate of the late philanthropist and Campbell Soup heiress, Dorrance 'Dodo' Hamilton (1928-2017). Its sole purpose was to handle private helicopter operations for Mrs. Hamilton, her family, and guests. It provided a convenient way to travel between her various residences, including her famous 'Swiss Village' estate in Newport, Rhode Island, and to bypass traffic for travel to Philadelphia or New York. The heliport's significance is directly tied to its association with a prominent American family and their private transport needs.
There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the heliport. The facility has been permanently decommissioned. Any reactivation would require the new private owners to have a specific need, invest in restoring the facility, and complete the necessary FAA and local registration processes, which is considered highly unlikely.
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