Monday, June 23, 2014

Helicopter tour business gets six-month extension to operate at Port Canaveral

Mark Grainger has received a six-month extension of his permit to operate helicopter tours of the Space Coast from Port Canaveral. But he's not totally in the clear yet to be a permanent tenant of the port.

Port management had recommended a 75-day permit extension for Grainger's business, Florida Biplanes & Helicopters. But the port's five elected commissioners unanimously decided instead to extend the permit for 180 days, despite issues raised by Port Canaveral Chief Executive Officer John Walsh.

Grainger said he booked 75 helicopter tours from the port during his first month of operation — an average of 2.5 a day — and believes he can become a profitable operation, benefiting both his company and the port.

Grainger — who also operates his 4-year-old helicopter and biplane tour business from Merritt Island Airport and from Orlando Executive Airport — is hoping expanding to Port Canaveral will get more visibility for his business on the Space Coast.

He told port commissioners that he is using space in "an unimproved parking lot" that "is serving no other purpose right now."

Grainger said he pays $750 a month for use of the 1,600-square-foot area of the parking lot, plus $2 per flight.

But Walsh said the helicopter company is getting a good deal from its use of land next to the Victory Casino Cruises parking lot.

Walsh said Grainger could have to move elsewhere at the port if the port lands a higher-paying tenant for that site.

Walsh said it would set "a bad precedent" if Grainger's payments to the port are artificially low, compared with other businesses at the port.

Two supporters of Grainger's helicopter tour business addressed the Port Authority before the commission vote.

One of them, Dennis Thompson of Merritt Island, said he believes the helicopter tours are "a real asset to the whole mix of excursion options for the cruises and for the general public" visiting the port.

Port commissioners appeared sympathetic to Grainger's efforts to make a go of his business at the port.

Port Commissioner John "Hank" Evans said he believes Grainger "has potential of raising a lot of money for the port with his business" by attracting more visitors to the port.

Commissioner Bruce Deardoff suggested that, if Grainger gets a long-term lease to operate at the port, the terms might be at least partly tied to his passenger counts, much like currently is done with cruise lines.

Canaveral Port Authority Chairman Tom Weinberg said he hasn't received any complaints about noise from Grainger's helicopter tours — which had been a concern raised when Grainger got approval to operate from the port. Grainger had adjusted his helicopter tour flight path to minimize noise along the coast.

"I think it's time to fly," Weinberg said.

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Mark Grainger, founder of Florida Biplanes & Helicopters, said he offers helicopter tours ranging in price from $39 per person for a ride lasting about 5 or 6 minutes to $229 for an hour-long tour. The flights operate between 9 a.m. and sunset.

His Robinson R-44 helicopters carry a pilot and three passengers, and have a cruising speed of up to 130 mph.

Grainger said that type of helicopter — also known as the Raven II — is fuel-efficient, comfortable and relatively quiet.

Story and photo gallery:   http://www.floridatoday.com

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