Seattle Children’s Hospital and the local Laurelhurst Community Council have jointly called for ending the committee that oversees helicopter landings on the hospital campus. In a joint statement, the parties said they intend to reduce public oversight of air patient transports. Hospital leadership expressed gratitude for the support and said it is ready to continue working with city authorities and residents.
The history of the regulation dates back to 1992, when the city granted the hospital a conditional use permit that required the creation of a committee. It was meant to ensure that helicopters would land only to transport “the most critical patients.” The requirement arose from Laurelhurst residents’ complaints about noise and the potential danger of air traffic. In the 1990s, the public opposed expanding helipads, fearing the hospital would begin using them for noisy deliveries and staff transport.
The situation intensified in 2025 after a viral social media post from a person who identified themselves as a helicopter pilot. They reported that many patients have to land on Graves Field at the University of Washington campus — about a mile from the hospital — and be transported to the hospital by ambulance. According to the hospital, last year 150 patients were brought to its helipad, and another 70 had to be brought in from the remote field. Now the hospital plans to ask the city council to terminate the committee’s authority. It remains unclear whether the conditions of the permit that limit landings will be changed.
Based on: Seattle Children’s hospital looks to end reviews of helicopter landings