I-Drive 360 developer now wants to add a heliport tour company

I-Drive 360 has forever changed the Orlando skyline with the massive 400 ft. tall Orlando Eye observation wheel. The developer, Unicorp, recently won approval for a new record breaking 425 ft. tall swing ride. But if these aren’t enough ways to take in the views of Orlando, Unicorp has now proposed a new heliport, which would be on the top of their seven-story parking garage.

So far, Unicorp has not given any details on which company would operate out of the proposed airport. 

There are a number of helicopter tour companies within the tourism district, including Air Force Fun on Vineland, which recently had their own expansion denied. Another heliport was recently approved along the northern end of I-Drive, featuring an elevated 2 pad heliport in the recently remodeled Orlando Crossing plaza. Also, a nearby tour company that sits just south of Dave & Busters is rumored to be included in a Rosen Inn expansion.

The I-Drive 360 helicopter tour company will likely include self-imposed restrictions over specific nearby residential areas. With the Eye and the Starflyer nearby, the new heliports’ location will make it unique in the market, while also providing a very centralized location for many of the more popular helicopter sightseeing spots. There’s no word on what size helicopter the new I-Drive 360 heliport will be able to handle. Air Force Fun wanted to expand as part of an initiative to feature a larger (and quieter) helicopter, similar to the ones used for most tours in New York and L.A.

The proposed heliport at I-Drive 360 will include a sales kiosk in the central square of 360. If approved, the new attraction should open in 2017.

This article appears in Dec 30, 2015 – Jan 5, 2016.