Walk plan proceeds in the air and on the ground

The aviation company that will help Nik Wallenda’s team string a high-wire above Niagara Falls between the U.S. and Canada has been cleared to move forward with the project by federal aviation officials.

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., announced Monday that the Federal Aviation Administration has granted a permit to Haverfield Aviation that will allow the company to use a helicopter to string Wallenda’s tightrope across the Niagara Gorge in time for Friday’s historic walk across the Falls. 

Schumer’s office received word last week that the rigging company needed a special FAA permit to proceed with the pulling of a special tightrope which will be attached to a 7.5-ton metal cable to be strung across the expanse. Schumer’s office urged the FAA to issue the permit as soon as possible to avoid any delay in plans for the tightrope walk.

“I am pleased with today’s announcement that the FAA has acted quickly to approve this critical permit, which will allow Nik Wallenda’s historic walk to move forward as planned,” Schumer said in a statement released Monday. “Wallenda will still take to the skies over Niagara on Friday, which is going to be a major tourism event in Niagara Falls and great news for local businesses.”

On the ground, Mayor Paul Dyster outlined the different events and preparations surrounding the walk at Monday’s city council meeting.

“A wide variety of programming has formed around this event,” Dyster said.

Dyster thanked local and state law enforcement for the measures that they have made to prepare for the large crowds expected for the event.

“Really they’ve had the heaviest load for this,” Dyster said.

City officials said that interest from vendors remains high. People were still lined up in the city clerk’s by the time that the afternoon session of the council meeting started, Carol Antonucci, the city clerk, said.

City officials said that as of the time of the meeting 13 vendors had been approved and 15 applications were pending.