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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-09-20 Support Documentation Town Council Regular Session...~ .. ~, • ~ ~~-~~ • ~., ~` U' V 4~ September 12,1983 Mr. Rod~Slifer 230 Bridge Street Vail, Colorado 81657 O Dear~Mr. Slifer: Eagle Vail Helicopters (to be formed) and incorporated in the State of Colorado shall be a division of Roto Whirl Inc. of Wabash, Indiana. Eagle Vail Helicopters principals in .r,a.-„e are Melvin Hic.:, C :airman of the Board and chi`f executive officer - Wabash, Indiana. Preston Ewen, President Rochester, Indiana; Lewis Elin of South Bend, Indiana; and Tracy Easterday of Indianapolis, Indiana remain as stockholders. It is our desire to establish an on demand helicopter charter service based at the Eagle County Airport. This businesslwould be a year around operation and would have diversified activities consisting of: A. B. C. D. Helicopter Ski Lift for Back Bowl Powder_ Skiing Scenic Tours Shuttle Service bet~een Eagle County Airport and the towns of Vail, Avon, Beaver Creek, and Arrow Head. ~~ , ' ~ A shuttle service between Vail and Aspen and possibly other close ski areas. E. What is ref~r_r.c-.d to as Heli-hiking, a summer activity where sightseers are flown to an upper o mountain region area for hiking and sightseeing with a guide and picked up later at a pre-determined destination. F• Aerial Photography G. We would like t`o assist the Forest Service and local fire departments with fire control. H. We would like to provide a limited helicopter air ambulance and assist in search and rescue missions. I. An on demand charter service to points of various locations to be determined by the charter customer being serviced. ~. -.. We are well aware of the need for noise abatement, and feel this goal can be accomplished through proper pilot ~~ technique, specified traffic patterns and altitudes and of course, the proper choice of helicopters. In this case, we will be operating the Bell 7 passenger Long Ranger and the 5 passenger Jet Ranger. All pilots shall be of professional quality and experienced in the mountains. They shall also be qualified under Part 91 and Part 135 of the Federal Aviations Regulations and must meet the requirements of the company operations and training manuals. All aircraft shall be maintained under the maintenance specifications of the manufacturer and the Federal Aviation Regulations. Our flight operations in the past have always stressed safety as our main concern and shall continue to strive for that continued reputation. We feel strongly that the key to success in our operation would be the ability to operate in and out of helipads near the towns of Vail, Avon, Beaver Creek and Arrow Head. We are prepared to build and maintain the heliport at an approved site. I would like to thank all of~those who have helped us ir. Vail and the surrounding areas in our endeavor to move our operation to Eagle County. I am looking forward to moving there personally with my family and becoming part of the community. I would like to thank you for considerincr this proposal and hope this will receive you r. favorable consideration. Respectfully, L~~~L Preston Ewen d.b.a_ Eagle Vail Helicopters PE:mh DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTIVITIES OF EAGLE VAIL HELICOPTERS 4 Preston Ewen P. 0. Box 285 Rochester, Indiana 46975 This letter is to explain iii further detail the legistics of Eagle Vail Helicopters proposed activities. HELICOPTER SKI LIFT : In reference to our helicopter ski lift for back ~ bowl powder skiing, it is our desire to provide this service in areas that are not already being served by chair lifts. Eagle Vail Helicopters intentions are to be the provider of air transportation only. The operation of aircraft for public transportation is strictly governed by the Federal Aviation Regulations, FAA approved company manuals, good common sense and any local regulations imposed. Once the skiers have exited the helicopter, they become the responsibility of the outfitter guide which in this case would be Mr. Robert Zeeb of Vail, Colorado. Bob is both qualified and experienced in helicopter ski lift operations and has extensive operations manuals outlining safety procedures around the helicopter and on the mountain which has been approved by the Forest Service. Bob is also experienced in avalanche control and enjoys an excellent reputation in the area. Promotion of this activity would be a joint effort between Mr. Zeeb's company and Eagle Vail Helicopters. However, the actual booking of such trips and any ground transportation required would be the responsibility of Mr. Zeeb and coordinated for scheduling with us. SCENIC TOURS The helicopter scenic tours will be booked directly with us or through Vail Guides Inc. The final details of which are currently being discussed with Mr. James Rea, President of Vail Guides Inc. The tour will consist of flights to points of interest. However, there will be no other takeoffs or landings anywhere other than the original point of departure unless previously arranged and only at approved landing sites. There will be several different tours available. The price will be based on a per seat per hour basis. We are considering an economical family plan when four or more seats are paid for by one individual. This activity will be a non-scheduled on- ., demand service in the beginning. However, as demand increases we may decide to have a published schedule of tours. Naturally, all tours would strictly adhere to any over city altitude restrictions imposed by their respective city councils and agreed to by Eagle Vail Helicopters. _2_ SHUTTLE AND CHARTER SERVICE The Shuttle Service between Eagle County .Airport and the Towns of Vail, Avon, Beaver Creek and Arrowhead will also be an on-demand service. Scheduling will be handled directly `,with Eagle Vail Helicopters or with Mr. John Olson, the Fixed Base Operator at the Eagle County Airport. All takeoffs and landings will be at an approved helipad maintained by Eagle Vail Helicopters. Any takeoffs and landings at remote locations will be with the express permission of the property owners and or the controlling agency, and shall be conducted in a manner as not to create a disturbance or hazard to other residents or wildlife. Ground transportation to points of final destinations if not ,provided by the customE~r or as a service of a lodge shall be provided by Vail Guides Inc. The final details of which are under discussion with Mr. James Rea, President of Vail Guides, Inc. Our point to point charter service shall be operated in the same manner. The shuttle service between the Vail area and Aspen will also be an on-demand service for people who wish to take advantage of what both areas have to offer in a limited amount of time. If due to weather a return pickup by helicopter is not possible, accommodations and ground transportation shall be provided. This shuttle shall be priced on a per trip basis. AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY Professional aerial photography missions are varied in requirements and range from still photography to video tape to the motion picture industry. Each can present their own special problems. It has always been our policy to clarify all aspects of the flight prior to accepting the assignment to insure the safety of all those concerned both in the air and on the ground. This is also done to see that Federal Aviation Regulations and the company operation manuals are not violated and aircraft performance specifications are not exceeded. This service will be priced at a per flight hour rate. PUBLIC SERVICE We would like to be involved in a training program with :local police departments, forest service and search and r rescue organizations. If called upon, we would like to have a complete understanding of the functions of each organization and how Eagle Vail Helicopters can assist in either a search and rescue effort or with fire control with aerial water drops. It is also important that each person involved be trained in safety procedures around a helicopter and be aware of our capabilities. -3- HELI-HIKING With regards to heli-hiking in the summer, hikers would be flown to upper mountain regions with~an outfitter guide wand picked up later at a predetermined destination. It is difficult to elaborate on this activity at this time. Details of which have yet to be worked out with Mr. Zeeb and the Forest Service. Mr. Michelson of Piney River Ranch has also discussed the possiblity of Eagle Vail Helicopters offering transportation and tours to his ranch. during the summer months. INSURANCE The question of insurance always comes up. Our policy at this time is to carry $10 million in liability insurance. However, due to the caliber of people in the Colorado area being served, an increase to in excess of $30 million has been discussed. Certificates of insurance shall be provided to those who require one. We hope this preliminary will prove sufficient and give act upon. description of our activities you enough information to Respectfully, .~~~---- Preston Ewen d/b/a Eagle Vail Helicopters PE:mh -~ September 13, 1983 IV¢Ison / Z¢¢b Construction Co. Inc. P.O. Box 685 Avon, Colorado 81620 Phone 303/949-5152 Mayor Rod Slifer Town of Vail 75 South Frontage Road Vail, Colorado 81657 Dear Mayor Slifer: This letter is concerning the Preston-Hewing Helicoptor service proposed operation in the Town of Vail, to be discussed and voted on at the September. 20th town meeting: I feel that the helicoptor service would be beneficial to the town, and the noise and safety problem is not a factor. It. has been proven that the noise level form a Bell Helicoptor is no more than a large truck going down I-70, if the machine is operating properly. I speak from actual experience, as an owner/operator for Rocky Mountain Heli Ski and know that the noise problem can be overcome. The town would also have con- trol over the air space and the entering and leaving of the helicoptor, this will help to keep the noise level at a minimum. Helicoptor services such as the one being proposed have been sucessfully operating for years in other major ski ;areas such as, Mammoth, Snowbird and Park City Another added benefit to the town is the availability of a helicoptor for emergency situations in possible rescue, fire control and emergency evacuations etc. Thank you for your consideration of this matter. Sin