Helijet’s air ambulances are being allowed to continue landing at Vancouver-area hospitals, after being issued an exemption order by Transport Canada.
The company had stopped landing at hospitals earlier this month, following an order from Transport Canada that identified concerns with Helijet’s Sikorsky 76C helicopters and their ability to land on H1 category hospital helipads — those in dense urban areas. The transport authority questioned whether the helicopters have enough windows, giving pilots an unobstructed view in case an engine fails.
Landings will resume at four hospitals including Nanaimo Regional General, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Sechelt Hospital, and Vancouver General. At VGH, only day flights will be allowed for the time being, while night flights will continue to be diverted to the Vancouver Harbour Heliport or Vancouver International Airport.
The exemption is valid until January 2017, to allow Helijet enough time to work with Transport Canada and the helicopter manufacturer to sort out regulatory issues.
Landings are still restricted at Royal Columbian and Surrey Memorial. Patients requiring treatment at those two hospitals will continue to be transported to Pitt Meadows Airport and transported by ground ambulance.
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