Public airport Scenic tours are allowed because the Jackson Hole Airport receives FAA funds and is a public airport, airport administrator Jeane Kirkpatrick said. Last week the airport board voted to allow Vortex to subcontract with Jackson Hole Aviation. The board voted on whether to accept a subcontract between the fixed base operator and Vortex or whether to have a direct contract with Vortex, not on whether to allow the flights, she said. Blocking contract Jackson pilot Lisa Robertson called on Jackson Hole Aviation to not sign a contract with Vortex. We need to discourage it right now.
Planes are bad enough and helicopters are even louder.
Neutral FBO Jackson Hole Aviation general manager John Brice said the company does not have a position on whether helicopter tours are acceptable. It is not our position to govern what should and should not be allowed in this arena. We are following the rules, and until the rules get changed there is nothing we can do. Park hands tied Grand Teton National Park officials also said their hands were tied. Park administrator George Helfrich said that the use agreement between the Department of the Interior and the airport board specifically allows scenic flights.