This paper describes seven city heliports in the US, considering first their physical features and associated operating factors and, second, the possible application of the operational experience gained with these heliports to future heliport design.

Three of the seven heliports are in New York City—the Pan American Building rooftop, Wall Street Pier near the confluence of the Hudson and East Rivers, and the World's Fair Heliport. One is in Chicago, at Midway Airport. The remaining three are in California; Los Angeles International Airport, Anaheim / Disneyland, and Oakland.

Taken collectively, the seven heliports are representative of city heliport operation in the US today. Taken individually, they represent considerable variation in the significant factors affecting their operation, such as noise, height above ground level, traffic control towers, interface with other modes of transportation, both air and surface, lighting, instrument operation, obstacle clearance, turbulence, and related factors.