In recent years, Sanford AirMed in North Dakota has had to base their Airbus EC145 out of Fargo Airport due to the over-development of the hospital site.

With the construction of the new Sanford Medical Center Fargo that will be reversed as it has been designed with a helipad on top of the ground ambulance garage.  Located on the north side of the site, the new pad will benefit from facing the prevalent north west winds, as well as allowing a full instrument approach due to the lack of obstructions from that direction.   The placement of the helipad also leads straight to an elevator that can quickly bring the patient to the ER, surgery, cath lab, or any other area where that patient might need treatment – the current hospital only has direct access to the ER.

There is also a second helipad on the ground so two aircraft can land at the same time if necessary.  The AirMed helicopter will move into its new hangar when the hospital opens next summer.

Sanford AirMed also operates a pair of Beech 200 Super King Air fixed-wing.

Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com