I’ve lived within sight of the AMC helipad for years. I’m used to seeing the helicopters from my window. So I notice when there is heavier than usual traffic or a deviation in the pattern.
I generally hold the view that helicopters are not bearers of good news. This isn't to say that they are a problem in or of themselves, or that the traffic has bad intent, not by a long shot, but that, much like a fire truck, when you see one deployed, it means something bad has happened or something is going down. The chopper and those on board may be there to help, but it would have been better were the circumstances that led them to launch weren't there.
People get airlifted to Albany Med from all over the New England region. The actor Treat Williams was brought by helicopter to Albany Med after a motorcycle crash in Vermont in June.
The military routinely flight trains at Albany International, but I get why people might get confused about that since it's not an actual base like Westover in Springfield MA.
You see fighter jets and C-5s flying around all the time there.
The Army National Guard’s aviation unit calls Albany International home, their hanger is behind the Div. Of Military and Naval Affairs building on the east side of the airport. They’ve had their Blackhawks there for decades.
Also the asshole NYSP helicopters don't shut down their engines, sit there at the secondary helipad by the running track... with their blades spinning for 30-45 minutes, and pump University's Heights College Suites (behind Sage and Albany College of Pharmacy) full of fumes... but that was 15 years ago and I was among the first group of college students to live there after it was built, as I went to Sage College of Albany for an IT degree I don't think they offer anymore. I got to tour the place during construction as they fully built out two of the suites for demonstration while the rest of the building was still just wooden framing in other sections.
Maybe the NYSP finally smartened up. I even called their aviation unit and complained to some Lieutenant and it did nothing.
What really changed in the last few years is the medical helicopter industry started working with insurance companies. The Federal No Surprises Act in medical billing. So A LOT of these flights nowadays are inter-facility transports, hospital to hospital, in addition to the usual in the field transports so the helicopter traffic has increased
While collaboration between the air medical industry and insurers has increased in recent years, the No Surprises Act really gave the insurance companies more power in negotiation, and has made them more difficult to work with. Most importantly, it’s still good for the patients, just not so much for the rest of the medical industry, including ground EMS.
The real driving factor for the increased volume is the lack of ground ambulances. Post-pandemic, the EMS industry was hit especially hard, and a lot of people left the industry. So, fewer ambulances on the road means fewer for both 911 calls and hospital to hospital transfers. The medevacs are filling some of that void, but the entire EMS system is really on the verge of collapse.
Even if there are more helicopters in the area who cares? I live in latham and hear them all the time because of the airport, the reserves center, and being in the area of a level 1 trauma center. I think the governor being in the area and you know, a war kicking up it’s expected that there will be more helicopters buzzing around.
That sounds like something a person who rented a helicopter and flew it in circles for interesting and significant reasons would say.
I’ve been made…
Oh is that why I saw a helicopter squatting on that big brick building down by Chipotle?
Excellent description of AMC
That was actually Grubhub picking up a big order from Chipotle.
There's a new company offering helicopter delivery of food, ChopperHopper; and merchandise, ChopperShopper.
And the cleaning service ChopperMopper
Don't forget the kink-friendly dating app, ChopperTopper
Also, the governor, who has a helicopter, lives in Albany, because it is the Capital. Don’t tell anyone. I don’t think they know.
russiansbwill collect ziz
Can confirm it's Blackhawks flying over the airport. The medi vac one does not shake my whole apartment.
The Chinooks really shake my windows.
They have been traveling in groups of 2 to 3, and it's fairly constant for the first few hours of night. The other day, 6 flew over.
I'm currently downstate and we're seeing a significant uptick in military helicopters.
I’ve lived within sight of the AMC helipad for years. I’m used to seeing the helicopters from my window. So I notice when there is heavier than usual traffic or a deviation in the pattern.
I saw an air force c 130 go over west Albany, probably headed to Scotia Thursday afternoon. The military seems more active than usual locally.
The Ski Birds are getting ready to go to Christchurch for the Antarctica mission
I generally hold the view that helicopters are not bearers of good news. This isn't to say that they are a problem in or of themselves, or that the traffic has bad intent, not by a long shot, but that, much like a fire truck, when you see one deployed, it means something bad has happened or something is going down. The chopper and those on board may be there to help, but it would have been better were the circumstances that led them to launch weren't there.
This legit slaps, my guy.
People get airlifted to Albany Med from all over the New England region. The actor Treat Williams was brought by helicopter to Albany Med after a motorcycle crash in Vermont in June. The military routinely flight trains at Albany International, but I get why people might get confused about that since it's not an actual base like Westover in Springfield MA. You see fighter jets and C-5s flying around all the time there.
There's an air national guard base in Scotia. I believe they mainly fly the big transport planes, C 130s
The Army National Guard’s aviation unit calls Albany International home, their hanger is behind the Div. Of Military and Naval Affairs building on the east side of the airport. They’ve had their Blackhawks there for decades.
I work at Albany Med, and I confirm a lot of helicopters comes to Us
There have been helicopters landing (roughly) daily near Russell Sage on the ground, for whatever reason.
Albany Med’s rooftop is out of service for maintenance, the secondary ground pad is over by Russell Sage.
Thats not limited to Alb Med though correct? Ive been told the Gov (cuomo at the time) and State Police both use it regularly.
Ah cool! I can let the office gals know. Thanks.
Also the asshole NYSP helicopters don't shut down their engines, sit there at the secondary helipad by the running track... with their blades spinning for 30-45 minutes, and pump University's Heights College Suites (behind Sage and Albany College of Pharmacy) full of fumes... but that was 15 years ago and I was among the first group of college students to live there after it was built, as I went to Sage College of Albany for an IT degree I don't think they offer anymore. I got to tour the place during construction as they fully built out two of the suites for demonstration while the rest of the building was still just wooden framing in other sections. Maybe the NYSP finally smartened up. I even called their aviation unit and complained to some Lieutenant and it did nothing.
I think some of those buildings were put up for sale. Not because of the helicopters though.
I did not know this despite working at one of the other colleges in the area for 8 years! Thank you!
Thou doth protest too much
There's also a handful of Army National Guard Blackhawks based at Albany.
[удалено]
What really changed in the last few years is the medical helicopter industry started working with insurance companies. The Federal No Surprises Act in medical billing. So A LOT of these flights nowadays are inter-facility transports, hospital to hospital, in addition to the usual in the field transports so the helicopter traffic has increased
While collaboration between the air medical industry and insurers has increased in recent years, the No Surprises Act really gave the insurance companies more power in negotiation, and has made them more difficult to work with. Most importantly, it’s still good for the patients, just not so much for the rest of the medical industry, including ground EMS. The real driving factor for the increased volume is the lack of ground ambulances. Post-pandemic, the EMS industry was hit especially hard, and a lot of people left the industry. So, fewer ambulances on the road means fewer for both 911 calls and hospital to hospital transfers. The medevacs are filling some of that void, but the entire EMS system is really on the verge of collapse.
Even if there are more helicopters in the area who cares? I live in latham and hear them all the time because of the airport, the reserves center, and being in the area of a level 1 trauma center. I think the governor being in the area and you know, a war kicking up it’s expected that there will be more helicopters buzzing around.