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Proposed Downers Grove heliport would serve outbound transfers only, experts say
Summary
AirSafe's David Ketchum told the commission the planned heliport would be located south of the hospital, with a 45x45 ft landing pad and 100x100 ft safety area; he and commissioners said operations will be limited to transfers from Downers Grove to Streeterville pending FAA no‑objection and IDOT licensure.
David Ketchum, owner and principal planner at AirSafe, described the proposed heliport for the Lurie Children’s Downers Grove campus as a private, medical use facility located roughly 100 feet from the hospital’s south corner, with a 45‑by‑45 foot landing area surrounded by a 100‑by‑100 foot object‑free safety area.
Ketchum said lighting will use shielded, flush perimeter fixtures and low light levels "to preserve pilots' night vision," and the heliport will require prior permission for aircraft operations. He explained that the FAA review focuses on airspace and that the project team expects an FAA letter of no objection and IDOT operating license as part of the approvals process. During questions commissioners asked whether helicopters would bring patients to Downers Grove; petitioner representatives said the helipad is intended for outbound transfers to the downtown Streeterville campus and that there will be no inbound emergency helicopter transports to Downers Grove under the current plan.
Ketchum added the heliport design includes CCTV monitoring of patient transfer operations, on‑site weather reporting provided to helicopter communication centers, and training and operating procedures similar to other hospital heliports.
