Orlando, US πΊπΈ Closed Airport
US-10976
-
110 ft
US-FL
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Loading...GPS Code: Not available
Local Code: Not available
Location: 28.464399Β° N, -81.459999Β° E
Continent: NA
Type: Closed Airport
Keywords: 97FD
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Designation | Length | Width | Surface | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
H1/ |
31 ft | 31 ft | CONC | Active |
Approximately 1995-1996. While an exact date is not readily available in public records, the heliport was closed to facilitate the massive expansion of the Orange County Convention Center. Construction on the Phase IV expansion (the North/South Building) began in the mid-1990s, necessitating the acquisition and clearing of the land the heliport occupied.
Land acquisition and redevelopment. The heliport was located on prime real estate in Orlando's tourist corridor. The land was acquired by Orange County to build the North/South Building of the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC), one of the largest convention centers in the United States. The closure was a direct result of this major public infrastructure project.
The site has been completely redeveloped. The exact coordinates (28.464399, -81.459999) place the former heliport directly on the footprint of the Orange County Convention Center's North/South Building. The land is now occupied by the convention center's exhibition halls, meeting rooms, and associated infrastructure, including parking lots and access roads. There are no physical remnants of the heliport.
Helicopters International Heliport was a private heliport operated by Helicopters International, Inc. During its active years, primarily through the 1980s and early 1990s, it served as a key hub for helicopter tourism in Orlando. Its strategic location near International Drive and the existing convention center made it the primary operator for:
- **Helicopter Tours:** Offering aerial views of nearby attractions like SeaWorld, Walt Disney World, and the Universal Studios area, which were undergoing significant expansion during that era.
- **Charter Services:** Providing on-demand flights for business executives, VIPs, and media.
- **Aerial Photography and Videography:** Supporting real estate development, news gathering, and film production in the rapidly growing Central Florida region.
- **Flight Training:** It likely served as a base for helicopter flight instruction.
Its significance lies in its role during a period of explosive growth in Orlando's tourism industry, providing a unique service that capitalized on the area's world-famous attractions.
None. There are no plans or prospects for reopening this heliport. The site has been permanently and irreversibly redeveloped into a core part of the Orange County Convention Center. Demolishing a section of one of the nation's largest and busiest convention centers to re-establish a small private heliport is not feasible from a logistical, financial, or political standpoint.
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