Stavanger Heliport, University Hospital

Stavanger Heliport, University Hospital is a private heliport located on the premises of Stavanger University Hospital in the Våland neighborhood of Stavanger, Norway. It is owned by Stavanger Hospital Trust and operated by Norsk Luftambulanse. The heliport serves as a base for air ambulance services and is home to a Eurocopter EC-135P2+ operated by Norsk Luftambulanse on contract with the National Air Ambulance Service. It opened in 1981 and was the second air ambulance base in the country.

History:

Sola Air Station, located near the heliport, was one of the original bases of the 330 Squadron. Since 1973, it has also been home to a detachment of Westland Sea King search and rescue helicopters, which could be used for ambulance missions when needed. Norsk Luftambulanse was founded in 1977 as a charitable ambulance helicopter operator. In 1978, it opened its first base, Lørenskog Heliport, Central Hospital, near Oslo. The establishment of a helicopter ambulance service was initially controversial due to high operating costs and the requirement for an anesthesiologist on duty at all times. However, funding was obtained through donations to Norsk Luftambulanse. In Rogaland, there was a mix of support and opposition to the establishment of the base. While some municipalities supported the initiative and provided funding, Rogaland County Municipality did not provide funding and some physicians at Rogaland Central Hospital opposed the base. The base opened in 1981 as Stavanger Heliport, Central Hospital, with a Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm Bo 105 helicopter. Funding was later taken over by the National Air Ambulance Service in 1988.