Helicopter Wildlife Services pitches Hurricane as new base, seeks hangars and site guidance

Jared Haynes of Helicopter Wildlife Services introduced the company to the Hurricane City Airport Board and said the firm has used Hurricane as a base for 13 years. Haynes said the company is contracting with several states for wildlife work and intends to relocate its base from Houston to Hurricane; the company seeks one or two 80-by-80-foot hangars and an operational area that would minimize community noise impacts.

Haynes told the board the company conducts frequent 100-hour inspections and that having local hangar space would reduce logistics and travel; he emphasized the company’s intent to follow the airport’s noise-abatement policy and avoid pattern work or repeated local circuits. The company described possible sites on the airport master plan: three adjacent 80-by-80-foot hangar sites on the north end (west of the animal shelter) and additional sites on the south end. Staff and board members discussed infrastructure constraints (water, sewer, taxiway needs), noise concerns near the animal shelter and rodeo grounds, and safety around horses and public activities.

Board guidance and next steps: staff told the presenters the next step is to identify a preferred site and return with a lease proposal; formal lease approvals require a recommendation and City Council action. The board did not take formal action during the presentation but encouraged coordination with airport staff and the public to address site, utility and noise concerns before a lease application is filed.