Stavanger Heliport, University Hospital

Stavanger Heliport, University Hospital
IATA: none ICAO: ENSX
Summary
Airport type	Private
Owner	Stavanger Hospital Trust
Operator	Norsk Luftambulanse
Serves	Stavanger, Norway
Location	Stavanger University Hospital, Våland, Stavanger
Coordinates	58°57′05″N 5°43′51″E / 58.9515°N 5.7307°E / 58.9515; 5.7307Coordinates: 58°57′05″N 5°43′51″E / 58.9515°N 5.7307°E / 58.9515; 5.7307
Map
ENSX Location within Norway
Helipads
Number Length Surface m ft Roof 18 59 Asphalt Ground Asphalt

Stavanger Heliport, University Hospital (ICAO: ENSX; Norwegian: Stavanger helikopterplass, Universitetssykehuset) is a heliport situated on the premises of Stavanger University Hospital in the Våland neighborhood of Stavanger, Norway. Used exclusively for air ambulance services, it is home to a Eurocopter EC-135P2+ operated by Norsk Luftambulanse (NLA) on contract with the National Air Ambulance Service. The base is owned by Stavanger Hospital Trust. When it opened in 1981, it was the second such base in the country.

Sola Air Station, located close to the airport, was one of the four inaugural bases of the 330 Squadron. Since 1973 it has been the home of a detachment of Westland Sea King search and rescue helicopters. When needed, this could also be used for ambulance missions.

Norsk Luftambulanse was founded in 1977 as a charitable ambulance helicopter operator. The following year it opened its first base, Lørenskog Heliport, Central Hospital, situated 20 kilometers (12 mi) from central Oslo.

At the time the establishment of a helicopter ambulance service was controversial. In addition to the high operating costs, each base required to have an anesthesiologist on duty at any given time. The Ministry of Social Affairs therefore concluded that establishment of such a service did not constitute effective use of public resources and opposed its establishment. Funding was therefore carried out through donations to NLA.