Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary Hospital - New Helipad strength

[newcastlepilot]

Newcastle's RVI hospital is undergoing extensive rebuilding. This has included the addition of a new rooftop helipad. In recent days I have observed various helicopters from local agencies apparently testing it.

I notice that the helipad has 6.4t written on it (see photos below). Is this figure the max weight limit for the structure? Does this suggest it has been underengineered and is not strong enough for use by S&R Sea Kings (which weigh between 6.4 empty and 9.5 max tonnes) ?

Photo (http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=t4x3jngvyhd5&lvl=19.45381607797819&dir=1.5703659740380556&sty=b&eo=0&where1=Richardson%20Road%2C%20Newcastle%20upon%20Tyne%20NE1% 204&q=richardson%20road%2C%20ne1&form=LMLTCC)

Photo (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=royal+victoria+infirmary,+richardson+road,+ne1&hl=en&ll=54.980486,-1.619455&spn=0.000186,0.00066&sll=54.9802,-1.617858&sspn=0.011895,0.042272&t=h&z=21)

[Up North]

Google Earth Pic out of date, it now reads 9.7

[jayteeto]

Is it open now?? No-one seems to tell us anything..........

[KNIEVEL77]

I wonder why they have gone to all of that expense as the original landing area is literally a stones throw from the front doors of the new A & E department.

[jayteeto]

The original landing area was in a public park with people playing football there when you wanted to land. They usually move........ but let me tell you a story.......... Last week, we were tasked to a secondary landing site for a patient transfer. The patient was critical and an operating theatre was staffed and ready for him. At the pick-up point we approached to land, however a 6' 3" shaven headed, wild looking man refused to get off the LS and we had to orbit until police arrived 15 minutes later. He was a very aggressive Polish chap who 'patrolled' the LS doing an exercise workout of stretches to pass the time. When the rozzers moved him, we landed and called the patient forward. I asked the Polish chap who was now watching with his wife, kids and 2 dogs why he had done it and did he realise the consequences, he replied: "F**k Off!! It is your problem!". That is why a dedicated pad is good!!

PS. He didn't have a UK driving licence so the rozzers seized his car.....:ok: