The manager of Washington, D.C.’s South Capitol Street Heliport (09W) said he is optimistic that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will approve a plan that complies with security requirements which will permit the reopening of the facility to corporate traffic. Heliport manager Don Scimonelli said an interagency group is “working on a good solution” that would let security-cleared aircraft back in to 09W but that the development was “still brand new.”
The heliport is located on the Anacostia River one mile northeast of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and is home base to D.C. Metro Police’s aviation unit and select transient medevac and military flights. The facility opened in 1988 and at its apex had 41 regular corporate operators. After 9/11 and until 2005, limited commercial operations were allowed at 09W provided they complied with FAA Notams and TSA requirements; however, since then they have been prohibited because of security concerns.
