scanSydney

There has been numerous articles in the media today about contracts being awarded for medical helicopters including the TOLL Helicopters now entering the service.

Hunter Region Westpac Services have announced they intend to move from their Broadmeadow Base to Belmont Airport that has stood idle for approx 20 years.

Furthermore

“The reform plan has paved the way for the streamlining of our helicopters and I’m pleased to say the larger Augusta Westland 139 helicopter will be implemented state-wide as the standard aircraft for the state’s aeromedical fleet,” Mrs Skinner said.

Belmont Airport not that idle, still has one fix-wing air medical service working out of there

ummm no it doesn't,, It hasn't been used in years and has only just been purchased by a group of 5 guys including stunt pilot Matt Hall, The medical service use Newcastle, not Belmont

Interesting, I've picked up one patient this year from Belmont , and I am not the regular Newcastle Trasport Driver.

after your post the other day I made mention of it at Northern Ops, even they said it had not been used in a long time. Oh well, you were there, not me,, I'm willing to admit defeat

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belmont_Airport

It does seem to have been given a new lease of life in July 2014 as Garry said. Mirvac failed to get the council to rezone the site, so they have now offloaded it. The local council wants the aviation community to continue to use the facility

"In July 2014, negotiations led by Airborne Windsports,Matt Hall Racing, Newcastle Helicopters, Skydive the Beach and Beyond and a private investor concluded successfully, with airport upgrade works planned to commence almost immediately"

"Skydive the Beach and Beyond" are now regular users of the short 07/25 tar runway (820m - a tad shorter than Lord Howe Island). It still remains a private airport.

Garry wrote:after your post the other day I made mention of it at Northern Ops, even they said it had not been used in a long time. Oh well, you were there, not me,, I'm willing to admit defeat

Garry,

I don't work for any Area NSW Health Service, I Sub-Contract to two separate Private Pre-Hospital Care Providers, which our main client's are Commonwealth, ACT Health and Private Health Providers, and currently One NSW State Mental health Service.

Most of the transports we do ASNSW will not touch, so no bookings goes through MRU or any of the Ambulance Comm's Centres PTS CoOrds.

My job at Belmore was a Medium Security Mental Health job, ASNSW PTS Vehicles are not equipped to handle Security Issue Patients

Your job would be very demanding, and to be honest, you can keep that one for yourself.

In any case, I'm keen to see new life being given to Belmont Airport, it's basically on my doorstep

New AW139 choppers for Hunter SLSA due to go into service in 2017 are reported to be

VH-ZXA Serial number 31727 ADS-B: 7C81CC
VH-ZXB Serial number 31733 ADS-B: 7C81CD
VH-ZXC Serial number 31737
VH-ZXD Serial number 31738