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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPEC140011 Ray Stanton Written Report November 241310 Blue Jay Drive Lewisville, TX 75077 Phone 214.789.9151 ray@resaviation.com  TOWN OF VAIL PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MEETING, NOVEMBER 24, 2014 Purpose To provide subject matter expertise to the commission members on matters relating to helicopter operations. Specifically to address issues directly related to Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) and to helicopter operations when utilizing permanent helipads and heliports. Meeting Review My responsibility during this meeting of the commission was to provide a report on my review of documents submitted by HeliExperts International and the proposed placement and airspace required for safety utilization. This presentation and the report submitted prior to the meeting are a matter of record with the commission and the Town of Vail. Commissioner Carlin asked for insight on additional aspects of emergency helipads that the Commission should be cognizant of related to emergency helipads moving forward in the review process. I responded that the greatest risk is from the encroachment of vegetation and structure after the new helipad is in place. Typically, such encroachments are not fully reviewed as a matter of recourse and therefore new construction is permitted that violates the designated airspace in the original plans. Otherwise, the plan as proposed by the medical center and HeliExperts is acceptable. Commissioner Webb asked me for clarification of my support for the proposal in relation to existing conditions. I referred to a study from Portland, Maine, which identified and quantified the risk with multiple transfer points which contributed to the degradation patient medical status. This is in reference to the existing helipad which is displaced from the medical center’s campus. A patient scheduled for aerial transport must be moved by hospital gurney from their room to an awaiting ambulance. The patient is loaded into the ambulance and transported to the waiting helicopter on the existing surface helipad. For this transport to proceed, vehicular traffic along the southern frontage road to Interstate 70 is stopped using local law enforcement. Upon arrival, the patient is removed from the ambulance and loaded onto the waiting helicopter. The patient is now ready for transport by helicopter. The proposed elevated helipad eliminates the vehicular transport and therefore removes two events (loading the patient into the ambulance, then unloading the patient from the ambulance). Each transfer carries the risk of lines, cables, and/or tubing needed for patient viability being removed, unplugged, or caught on other objects as the patient is placed into the ambulance or removed after the journey. The same risks occur when loading and unloading the patient from the helicopter. But the risks are reduced by half as only two such transfers are needed when using an elevated helipad on medical center property. Commissioner Webb then asked me about the helicopter protection zone (HPZ) and if it is required. I responded that the HPZ like all of the content within the FAA’s Advisory Circular are not regulatory, rather they are recommended. In fact as the proposed helipad is on private property and is not intended for public use, none of the content of Chapter 4, AC 150/5290-2B are required. Still, the advisory circular provides sound advice that should be applied to any hospital helipad. The use of the guidelines is a risk reducing options that should be applied and appreciated. Commissioner Webb then asked how a HPZ can affect the development on adjacent properties. I answered that the design intent of an HPZ is to provide a safe landing alternative to a helicopter departing or arriving to a helipad should an emergency occur requiring immediate landing due to a mechanical failure. Such design intent will preclude future development of the designated area and will require some landscaping maintenance to maintain viability. No further questions were offered me by the commission members present. Findings The commission was very receptive to the information provided during my briefing and asked thought provoking questions that I believe answered to the questioner’s satisfaction. I believe the meeting was informative to all commission members attending and may have satisfied some of the concerns expressed by members of the community. Recommendations Continue to provide safety and helicopter operation expertise to the Town of Vail and the Planning and Environmental Commission.