BETHLEHEM - A request for a one-time helicopter landing at The Woodhall School may have prompted selectmen to fill the town's empty Aviation Commission.

The commission, one of few in the state, was established in 1993 to study and regulate the development of heliports, airports and airstrips and issue occasional permits for airplane and helicopter landings.

But it has had no members since last year, when commissioner Patricia Whelan's term expired. It should have five members.

Selectmen put appointments on the back burner until their Sept. 19 meeting, when Sally C. Woodhall requested permission for one of her former students, who owns an aviation rental company, to land in a helicopter at The Woodhall School on Harrison Lane.

"It wasn't something that was a priority," Selectman Jeffrey Hamel. "I guess it was an overlooked thing. They don't really have to meet every year, only when there's an issue, and there hasn't been any issues."

Since the commission has no members, the decision to land a plane or helicopter is left to selectmen.

Woodhall, whose school has 42 high school students, learned she needed permission for landing from selectmen after the pilot flew in for a fundraising auction last year without a permit. He asked the state police for permission, but didn't know the town had an Aviation Commission, Woodhall said.

The landing was a surprise. The boys loved it, she said, but some neighbors got scared because the helicopter was circling around.

Helicopters have been banned since 1993 for non-emergency purposes, except when authorized by an Aviation Commission permit. First Selectman Leo S. Bulvanoski said some residents questioned the pilot's authority.

After learning that the pilot wanted to return Oct. 20 for the dedication of the school's performing arts center, Woodhall went to selectmen.

They said they would likely make a decision on Woodhall's request at the Oct. 3 meeting, after seeing the pilot's state and federal permits. Selectman Thomas C. O'Neil said he wants a fire truck on site, and wants the neighbors to be notified.

The commission was set up in 1993, when a Windsor Locks developer wanted to build a helicopter landing pad on Wood Creek Road.

Bethlehem has no zoning commission to regulate such activities.

Opposition to the plan prompted residents to set a six-month moratorium on aircraft landing fields, and later vote on the restrictive aviation ordinances.

The heliport was never built, said Vincent McDermott, the commission's first chairman.

Taking off or landing helicopters or airplanes in town is prohibited except in emergencies "by federal, state or local government officials or their authorized agents in the exercise of governmental responsibility" or "for public purposes when authorized by a permit issued by the town's Aviation Commission." There is a $500 fine for each helicopter violation, and $100 for each aircraft.

There are at least two small air strips in Bethlehem periodically used for private plane landings, including Thomas Whelan's Whelan Field on Hard Hill Road, and Thomson Field on Thomson Road, owned by Leonard J. Assard. They were grandfathered in when the clause was adopted.

McDermott said the commission did little after the ordinances were enacted, and met once a year as a formality.

Members discussed disbanding about 10 years ago, but never did.

"The last time we met, which was God knows how long ago that was, it was probably three first selectmen ago," he said.

"There was no purpose of keeping such a commission around. If you're not allowed to regulate anything, why bother having it?"

Selectmen hope to bring the commission "back up to running speed," Hamel said.

Its five members will serve staggered terms of three years. They have contacted several people, but they're looking for others with past or present flying experience.

They encourage anyone interested to come to their meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Bethlehem Library.

"We're not up to speed on all (Federal Aviation Administration) stuff. The people we're seeking for this are people who are involved in flying," Hamel said. "You don't want these planes dropping out of the sky into everyone's backyard."