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Testing noise level for proposed helipad

Helipad at Mercy Hospital from Abbott Road
Mercy Flight Web photo
Helipad at Mercy Hospital from Abbott Road

By Bert Gambini

Buffalo, NY – A pair of test flights were conducted Monday afternoon for the proposed helipad to be located at Buffalo General Hospital.

The test was done as a follow-up to the community meetings held recently. Mercy Flight made two fly-overs in what would be the traditional flight path for emergencies.

Kalieda spokesman Mike Hughes tells WBFO News the outreach was designed principley to address noise concerns.

"I think we were able to show the residents in the nearby community that with a helipad to be built on top Buffalo General you're looking at 250 to 300 feet from ground level, so the noise is minimal," said Hughes.

Hughes said sound testing conducted by research firms shows the that noise from Mercy Flight, given its distance from ground, is about the same as running a lawn mower for 15 seconds.