Chopper pilot, aviation expert casts doubt over Peregrine’s helicopter noise claims at Kensington headquarters

A helicopter pilot and a uni expert have cast doubt over Peregrine Corporation’s claims helicopter trips from its redeveloped Kensington headquarters would create minimal noise.

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A helicopter pilot and a university academic have cast doubt over Peregrine Corporation’s claims helicopter trips from its redeveloped Kensington headquarters would only create disruptive noise for up to two minutes at a time.

Peregrine, the parent company of service station chain OTR, has lodged plans for a helipad on top of its proposed seven-storey headquarters on The Parade, and will submit an environmental impact report to the State Government by the end of the month.

The company plans to use three different types of helicopters – carrying up to seven passengers at a time – for what it says are “business purposes”.

It previously said noise from the helicopters would only be “disruptive” for up to two minutes at a time.

However, Parafield pilot Adam Keene told Eastern Courier Messenger a helicopter would need up to five minutes to land or take off.

“Those big machines can’t just be started up and flown in two minutes,” Mr Keene said.

“If starting up from scratch, they will also need to conduct checks – you can’t just start and go.

“Will they be shutting down and then starting up again or will they be ‘hot reloading’ which means rotors still turning? All this takes time.”

Peregrine Corporation want to land helicopters on top of their proposed, seven-storey head office in Kensington. Picture: MPH Architects

He also suggested a ground crew would be needed to help passengers.

UniSA aviation director Doug Drury said helicopters, by their nature, were “noisy” – even while sitting idle – and agreed it would take about four to five minutes to land or take off.

A Peregrine spokeswoman declined to say if a ground crew would be used.

“(We) will … adhere to all aviation safety requirements, regulations and laws which include having to shut down when passengers disembark and board,” the spokeswoman said.

“Helicopters will only be used in ‘touch and go’ activities and will not be stored overnight and will not require lengthy periods of warm up or cool down on the proposed landing area, further minimising disruption to the local community.”

Peregrine hoped to work with the Kensington Residents Association to address concerns.

The company said it would – “where possible” – provide 24 hours notice before a flight and keep a register to ensure the helicopters were not used for more than 10 days a year.

Civil Aviation Safety Authority spokesman Peter Gibson said the helipad plan was a “planning matter”.

“They (helicopters) must be safe for pilots to use and we provide guidelines,” Mr Gibson said.

“But pilots must make a safety judgement in each flight about if the location is safe to use.

“Noise is outside our jurisdiction.”