TGP Station 79 Heliport

The closure was primarily for economic and operational reasons. The heliport was part of a natural gas compressor station, and its use declined due to several factors:
1. **High Operating Costs:** Maintaining and operating a helicopter is significantly more expensive than ground transportation.
2. **Improved Ground Access:** Road infrastructure improvements over time made accessing the station easier and more reliable by vehicle.
3. **Technological Advancements:** The need for frequent aerial pipeline patrols by helicopter has been reduced by advanced remote monitoring systems (like SCADA) and, more recently, the widespread adoption of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) for inspection, which are far more cost-effective.

The site itself remains an active natural gas compressor station, operated by Kinder Morgan (the parent company of Tennessee Gas Pipeline). The physical concrete or asphalt helipad still exists at the location, but it is no longer maintained for aviation use. The markings are faded, and the area is now simply part of the industrial facility's grounds, sometimes used for vehicle parking or material staging.

TGP Station 79 Heliport was a private heliport that served the Tennessee Gas Pipeline (TGP) Compressor Station 79, a key component of a major natural gas pipeline system in the United States. Its purpose was purely logistical and industrial. When active, it handled operations critical to the pipeline's function, including:
- **Personnel Transport:** Rapidly moving engineers, maintenance crews, and company officials to and from the station.
- **Emergency Response:** Allowing for quick deployment of personnel and light equipment in the event of a system failure, leak, or other emergency.
- **Aerial Inspection:** Serving as a base for helicopters conducting routine aerial patrols to inspect the pipeline right-of-way for encroachment, leaks, or damage.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the TGP Station 79 Heliport. The operational model that necessitated its use has been replaced by more modern, efficient, and economical alternatives like drone technology and improved ground logistics. The heliport is considered permanently closed and obsolete for its original purpose.