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Sunday, July 15, 2018

Surprise Helicopter Landing In OC A Head Scratcher For Officials

OCEAN CITY — An unanticipated private helicopter landing on a downtown church parking lot last week had resort officials this week exploring ways to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

Last Tuesday, on the eve of the Fourth of July holiday, a private helicopter landed on the St. Mary Star of the Sea’s parking lot at 17th Street and Philadelphia Avenue, discharged its passengers and took off again. The unexpected landing disrupted traffic in the and generally created quite a stir for hundreds of motorists and pedestrians unaccustomed to a helicopter touching down in a densely populated resort area.

However, there is currently nothing specific in the town code preventing helicopter landings within town limits as long as the operator has the permission of the property owner. In last week’s case, the pilot apparently did have permission from the church and the lot in question was cleared in advance.

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26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yeah, no laws exist for this SO WHAT?

Anonymous said...

Poor little things don't have a clue.This is sad when the citizens are so upset over nothing.What will happen when something big happens in their life?

Anonymous said...

"The unexpected landing disrupted traffic in the and generally created quite a stir for hundreds of motorists and pedestrians unaccustomed to a helicopter touching down"

Only disrupted traffic because most drivers are idiots who would be better off paying attention to the road they are on instead of things that have nothing to do with them. Just like on the highway where an accident on one side of a dual highway will cause a slowdown in traffic on both sides. Everyone thinks they are going to miss something.

Anonymous said...

"We have broad authority through zoning and with ordinances to regulate that kind of activity in town,” here is your first clue that they think that the people are below them. The second is the over reaction over a rich guy getting a ride and beating traffic. Ill dare they make me feel poor!

Anonymous said...

I'd like to know who were the lucky people on that helicopter who didn't have to sit in traffic on your way to OC for the fireworks. Jake Day?

Anonymous said...

No harm done....

Anonymous said...

There will be a law about this by the end of the summer. Those crooks will not allow this to happen again. Fine will probably be minimum $1000 - $5000.

Anonymous said...

It was picking up a ton of Jake days BS.

Anonymous said...

“but said the town should explore possible changes to its zoning code or ordinances”

In other words...may not be against the law ORR. Isolate FCC refs, but how can we (OC) make a buck off of this?

Anonymous said...

So if someone has the money to land a helicopter in downtown OC to visit. How much money you suppose they spent when they got here? Shouldn't they be encouraging more rich people to come instead of the thugs that do visit?

Anonymous said...

What - no law/rule for this? Rickie, you all don't have a rule/law that prevents this - for shame!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hurry now, get one in place and make sure its lock solid and can't be protested...
like the Boardwalk circus actors!

Tiny time!

Anonymous said...

In my experience if you are not breaking the law but you are upsetting OC police you get booked on disorderly conduct.

Anonymous said...

Helicopters should land at the airport!

Anonymous said...

You're exactly right! That should be the thought.

Anonymous said...

NO doubt there'll be a law about this in a NY minute...

Anonymous said...

Just add it to the list for the OC ordinance Nazi's.
You can't even fart in this town without getting pre-approval from the EPA.

Anonymous said...


FAA regulates air travel. If the passengers own the helo, more flexible rules. If they were paying for the ride, more stringent rules. In either circumstance the pilot is responsible for selecting a safe landing site, absent an emergency. Sounds like they planned and got the ok from the property owner.

Anonymous said...

Sorry about all the fuss. I was late getting to my yacht.

Anonymous said...

This aircraft is registered to ITA Services LLC of Westminster, Maryland.

Anonymous said...

Applications, Permits, fees, application fees, taxes, uninsured motorist fund assessment, (what?) permit accreditation fee, recording fee, mandatory landing crew, security, Sheriffs dept. mobile command center, aircraft parking and certification bond, touchdown insurance rider receipt. They’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again unless someone asks their specific permission. Gods they are.

Anonymous said...

Leighton (843am), we don't find that funny at all! Tend to your island home and figuring out where all the SEACRETS customers are this year. May want to ask Rickie why his family friendly town is failing - AGAIN!

Anonymous said...

Helicopters should land at the airport!

July 14, 2018 at 6:47 AM:

Dumb statement.

Why is that? They are helicopters, not airplanes that require runways to take off and land. Helicopters go where planes can't go, and land & take off from a million places that planes can't. They have never been restricted to airports, because they are not designed for runways. Why do you think the military uses them?

Anonymous said...

Why is it any of your business who they are? Mad because they gave more money than you?

Anonymous said...

What gets me is the unmarked grey, UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter that flies around Salisbury, once in a while.

Anonymous said...

Can people really fly on their own? This did happen next to a Church so mere OC Government mortals perhaps should not interfere.

Anonymous said...

Accident and someone needs hospital FAST but was told a helicopter could not set down on the island. Something needs to happen. The ambulance could hardly get through and this was early daylight. Can you imagine if someone needed an airlift from the island on a Saturday night for a life threatening problem and the family cannot get help. I say make a deal with the church to be able to put down in an emergency.