US helicopter operator and maintenance company America Rising has pushed back to 2006 the launch of its New York to Washington DC shuttle service, blaming a lack of suitable aircraft and continued delay in gaining approval for the operation from the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Steve Walker, America Rising chairman, says it is seeking to obtain approval from the TSA to operate from South Capitol Street heliport in Washington DC as a scheduled carrier. However, following 11 September the landing site has been closed to commercial and general aviation traffic. Walker says the scheduled operation, which was granted US Department of Transportation (DoT) authority in 2003, meets all the requirements of the agency's heliport security plan.
"We are not yet pressing our case hard with the TSA as we are still waiting for a suitable helicopter with anti-icing," it says. The Fort Meade, Maryland-based carrier is in discussion with Sikorsky to acquire the S-92, but Walker says "the first airline-quality helicopter with anti-icing will not be available until late 2005 or early 2006".
Source: Flight International
