Northstar has relocated from UMDNJ to Somerset Airport Bedminster, Somerset County at the intersection of RT287 & 78. All dispatch remains the same. The NJ ST PD radio system works well for them at the airport.
The CTAF for SMQ is 123.00.
Helicopter set to lift off this week
Thursday, February 03, 2005
BEDMINSTER -- Officials with the Northstar Medevac program hope to begin operations at Somerset Airport by the end of the week.
Northstar Air Medical Coordinator Terry Hoben said he hoped to have one helicopter stationed at the airport by Friday.
"We're getting the office set up, the phone lines are up and so is the water," Hoben said.
The use of the airport as a base of operations has been a contentious issue in the township since it was first proposed last year. One issue that remains is a question of an existing township ordinance that allows only fixed wing aircraft to be stored at the airport.
Representatives from the airport are scheduled to appear before the Zoning Board of Adjustment on Feb. 16 to ask for clarification on the ordinance to determine if it also allows helicopters to be stored there.
The current plan is to use temporary trailers as an office for the flight crews and hangers on-site to house the helicopter when it is not in use.
Alan Harwick, a member of a group opposed to the use of the airport by Northstar, said he was surprised when he heard how close the program was to beginning operations at Somerset Airport. He also said he opposed the idea of the helicopter being stored at the airport.
"I still don't feel that even with the trailer there that it followed that the helicopters would be permitted to use the hangars," he said, based on his group's interpretation of the existing ordinance.
In 2004, the State Police sought a temporary use permit to allow the helicopter to be stationed at the airport to improve response times to incidents in Central Jersey. Currently, the helicopters are stationed at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark.
The Township Committee initially approved the temporary use permit, but later revoked it, prompting a court battle. A judge overturned the township's decision, allowing for plans to station the Medevac chopper at the airport to go ahead.
Plans for a permanent facility to house the helicopters at Somerset Airport are still to be heard before the Planning Board.
Copyright 2005 NJ.com. All Rights Reserved.
The CTAF for SMQ is 123.00.
Helicopter set to lift off this week
Thursday, February 03, 2005
BEDMINSTER -- Officials with the Northstar Medevac program hope to begin operations at Somerset Airport by the end of the week.
Northstar Air Medical Coordinator Terry Hoben said he hoped to have one helicopter stationed at the airport by Friday.
"We're getting the office set up, the phone lines are up and so is the water," Hoben said.
The use of the airport as a base of operations has been a contentious issue in the township since it was first proposed last year. One issue that remains is a question of an existing township ordinance that allows only fixed wing aircraft to be stored at the airport.
Representatives from the airport are scheduled to appear before the Zoning Board of Adjustment on Feb. 16 to ask for clarification on the ordinance to determine if it also allows helicopters to be stored there.
The current plan is to use temporary trailers as an office for the flight crews and hangers on-site to house the helicopter when it is not in use.
Alan Harwick, a member of a group opposed to the use of the airport by Northstar, said he was surprised when he heard how close the program was to beginning operations at Somerset Airport. He also said he opposed the idea of the helicopter being stored at the airport.
"I still don't feel that even with the trailer there that it followed that the helicopters would be permitted to use the hangars," he said, based on his group's interpretation of the existing ordinance.
In 2004, the State Police sought a temporary use permit to allow the helicopter to be stationed at the airport to improve response times to incidents in Central Jersey. Currently, the helicopters are stationed at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark.
The Township Committee initially approved the temporary use permit, but later revoked it, prompting a court battle. A judge overturned the township's decision, allowing for plans to station the Medevac chopper at the airport to go ahead.
Plans for a permanent facility to house the helicopters at Somerset Airport are still to be heard before the Planning Board.
Copyright 2005 NJ.com. All Rights Reserved.
