Yorkshire Air Ambulance restrictions flying into Leeds
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Yorkshire
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Yorkshire Air Ambulance restrictions flying into Leeds
Can someone explain to me why the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, while deemed appropriate for patient evacuation in a non life threatening situation results in a patient being offloaded at Leeds Bradford Airport followed by a lengthy road transfer to Leeds General Infirmary (LGI), whereas a life threatening situation means it is permissible to have a direct flight into LGI? It's just 4 minutes flying time vs 30 mins or more in an ambulance. Both situations obviously result in the Air Ambulance entering the ATZ
LGI is on ground at circa 160ft AMSL
EGNM is at 650ft AMSL
LGI is roughly on the glide slope for runway 32 at a distance of approximately 5.6 statute miles
3 deg glide slope is 1000ft every 3 miles
So when overhead at LGI an aircraft approaching EGNM is at
650ft + (5.6/3)*1000 ft
or circa 2500 ft AMSL
or 2350 above ground level at LGI
Assume the helipad on the roof at LGI is 150ft AGL then the distance from the helipad to the overflying aircraft is 2200ft.
The ground does increase in height to the North but approaches from the West, East and South are over quite low lying ground.
On what basis does the ATZ intrude and why can't adequate separation be maintained to always (or nearly always!) permit air ambulance access to the LGI?
Would appreciate any help on this!
LGI is on ground at circa 160ft AMSL
EGNM is at 650ft AMSL
LGI is roughly on the glide slope for runway 32 at a distance of approximately 5.6 statute miles
3 deg glide slope is 1000ft every 3 miles
So when overhead at LGI an aircraft approaching EGNM is at
650ft + (5.6/3)*1000 ft
or circa 2500 ft AMSL
or 2350 above ground level at LGI
Assume the helipad on the roof at LGI is 150ft AGL then the distance from the helipad to the overflying aircraft is 2200ft.
The ground does increase in height to the North but approaches from the West, East and South are over quite low lying ground.
On what basis does the ATZ intrude and why can't adequate separation be maintained to always (or nearly always!) permit air ambulance access to the LGI?
Would appreciate any help on this!
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You could ask the air ambulance operator directly - I don't see why they shouldn't be happy to explain if you have a legitimate interest.
Someone else with local knowledge may choose to offer an explanation but, if it helps, I suspect it's nothing to do with ATC or the airspace. You've probably half answered your question already - what is acceptable or preferred in a life-threatening situation if often different to normal operations. Things like noise nuisance, outcome of risk assessment, turnround times and disruption to hospital activities are just some of the factors that come to mind. FWIW, if I were a betting man I would put my money on the last of these.
Someone else with local knowledge may choose to offer an explanation but, if it helps, I suspect it's nothing to do with ATC or the airspace. You've probably half answered your question already - what is acceptable or preferred in a life-threatening situation if often different to normal operations. Things like noise nuisance, outcome of risk assessment, turnround times and disruption to hospital activities are just some of the factors that come to mind. FWIW, if I were a betting man I would put my money on the last of these.
