Eglin tells copter company to get out

DESTIN — The 96th Security Forces Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base on Tuesday issued a trespassing citation to Timberview Helicopters and ordered it to cease operations just south of the Destin bridge.

Since earlier this month, the company has been operating from a barge in East Pass anchored just south of the bridge and adjacent to Air Force beach land.

“Eglin leadership … has concerns on several levels, including safety and environmental impact and legal access,” said Mike Spaits, the base’s environmental spokesman.

Spaits said Timberview was asked “to disperse from the area.”

Timberview owner Justin Johnson, did not return phone calls Tuesday but on Monday said that he chose that location for his barge because it sits just outside Okaloosa County’s new aircraft restricted zone, which covers most of Crab Island and East Pass. Inside the restricted zone, hang gliders, helicopters, parasails, hot air balloons, seaplanes and glider excursions are prohibited.

Johnson said the Air Force has no grounds to complain because he’s not operating off the beach.

“We’re close to the beach, but we’re out in the water,” he said.

He said his customers access the barge from the water via a water taxi, kayak or some other vessel.

Spaits said Eglin officials have taken photographs of a gang plank reaching from the barge to the beach. He said the Air Force “would still have issues” with the helicopter operating on the barge at that site even if never touched shore.

Although Okaloosa County and Destin officials are pleased Timberview is no longer operating from Destin Harbor or the middle of Crab Island, some still question the safety of the barge’s location.

“Where they are now, they’re right there in the bridge traffic and it’s got to be distracting ... distracting for cars and marine traffic,” Okaloosa County Commission Chairman Kelly Windes said.

Windes, who pushed to create the county’s restricted zone, said he never wanted to put Johnson out of business.

“What we tried to do was give him a place to work and at the same time get him out of the main stream of activity,” he said. “ ... I think the county has done what it can do.”

Destin City Councilman Tuffy Dixon said he supports Johnson’s right “to make a living” but would feel better if Timberview operated only out of the Destin Airport.

“I’ve got a feeling it's probably going to be a traffic deterrent,” he said. “We’re going to have people rubbernecking.”

Dixon also questions what will happen if more helicopter companies want to locate in the same area.

“It just doesn’t look safe,” he said. “What if it takes off and is a success? It’ll be a dadgum zoo.”

In the past two years, Timberview has been at odds with Destin and Okaloosa County over the safety and location of its beach tours. Opponents argued that it was unsafe for the helicopters to fly over the heavily populated harbor or out of Destin Commons.

Contact Daily News Staff Writer Kari C. Barlow at 850-315-4438 or kbarlow@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @KariBnwfdn.