Swiss air ambulances at war – Rega v TCS
Source: Aargauer Zeitung, 21-May-13
Rega has had it their own way for many years – so it’s no surprise that the arrival of a competitor 18 months ago has led to, well, competition. TCS is “Touring Club Suisse”, a roadside car rescue organisation. (See full story)
Air Methods Reaches Highest Level in FAA’s Safety Management System Program
Source: Air Methods, 21-May-13
Air Methods Corporation (Nasdaq: AIRM), the global leader in air medical transportation, recently was informed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that it successfully reached the highest level (Level 4) of the FAA’s voluntary Safety Management System (SMS) program. The SMS program is an organizational framework created and implemented by the FAA to systematically guide,track, [...]
CALSTAR appoints new Chief Pilot
Source: CALSTAR, 21-May-13
Marcus Isbill, a veteran pilot of nearly 30 years, has been named chief pilot for CALSTAR, Jim Arthur, director of flight operations, has announced. Isbill’s aviation career started in 1985 with the U.S. Army. Prior to retiring in 2001, he served in multiple roles in the military, including UH-1 chief of standardization and instrument examiner. [...]
New Helicopter Base in Valdosta Aimed at Saving Lives
Source: WCTV.TV, 21-May-13
The view from a helicopter in the air can be breathtaking, but it can also help breathe life into those riding inside. Because when lives are on the line, time can be the greatest enemy. (See Full Story)
Night Flight Concepts Launches Industry Specific NVIS Solution Programs
Source: Night Flight Concepts, 17-May-13
Night Flight Concepts, the premier provider of night vision solutions, is pleased to announce the launch of five new industry specific solutions programs. These new Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS) solutions include equipment, maintenance and training programs which have been adapted to support the specific operational and regulatory requirements for the following markets: • Emergency Medical Services and Search [...]
Kaweah Delta hosts helipad completion celebration
Source: Kaweah Delta, 17-May-13
Kaweah Delta Health Care District will celebrate the completion of its helipad on Thursday, May 16, in Visalia. The event will take place from 10-11:30 a.m. under the helipad in the main parking lot at Kaweah Delta Medical Center, 400 W. Mineral King Ave. The $2.7 million helipad is expected to be fully operational by [...]
RBC makes C$500K donation to STARS
Source: Leader~Post, 16-May-13
Lacy Panno, a flight nurse with the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society (STARS), is excited. (See Full Story)
FLIR Systems awarded $81M US Army contract
Source: FLIR Systems, Inc., 16-May-13
FLIR Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLIR) announced today that it has been awarded a two year blanket purchase agreement from the U.S. Army to support the MEDEVAC program. The blanket purchase agreement is valued at $81 million and is for the Army MEDEVAC Mission Sensor (MMS) configuration of FLIR’s commercially developed military qualified Talon product, a [...]
FirstGroup pledges £100K to London’s Air Ambulance
Source: London’s Air Ambulance, 15-May-13
FirstGroup, the leading transport operator in the UK and North America is providing our charity, with £100k worth of support over four years. Last month one of FirstGroup’s brand new hybrid buses, which is one of 23 which has just entered service in Essex, went head to head with our aircraft at RAF Northolt to [...]
Neighbours complain at temporary EMS helipad
Source: The Sudbury Star, 15-May-13
It may be little consolation to residents in the Kirkwood Drive-Ramsey Lake Road area who are furious about a temporary helipad being located in their neighbourhood, but the notice is in the mail. (See Full Story)
Major sponsor pulls support from North West Queensland helicopter
Source: 612 ABC Brisbane, 13-May-13
The future of North West Queensland’s rescue helicopter is in jeopardy after a major sponsor pulled its support. (See Full Story)
Helipad to be built in Ennis
Source: Madisonian News, 13-May-13
Madison Valley Medical Center and private donors have come together to provide Madison Valley with a helicopter pad that will deliver safe access to air ambulances. (See Full Story)
Yorkshire Air Ambulance MD902 AOG for 7 months
Source: HeliHub.com, 10-May-13
Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) is in a state of flux at present with a combination of issues all happening at the same time. Their older MD Explorer G-SASH went in for its annual in mid March, and needs a new flexbeam in the rotor system to make it airworthy again. However, MD Helicopters have told [...]
Multiflight provides AS365N2 cover for Yorkshire Air Ambulance
Source: Multiflight, 10-May-13
A Dauphin AS365N2 helicopter air ambulance owned and operated by Multiflight is currently providing vital cover for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) service. The helicopter is being used as a replacement aircraft whilst one of the two YAA MD902 Explorers is having its planned mandatory annual service. “Multiflight is pleased to be able to offer [...]
STARS launches second lottery in Saskatchewan
Source: The STARS Lottery, 10-May-13
The STARS Lottery in Saskatchewan officially launches today with 2,206 prizes worth over $3.8 million. In its inaugural year in 2012, STARS generated more than $1.6 million – a significant source of funding to help keep STARS in the sky. “STARS’ success depends on the people across this great province. All proceeds from the lottery [...]
Miami Valley Hospital expands CareFlight for premature babies
Source: The Business Journal, 10-May-13
New technology has prompted Miami Valley Hospital to expand its CareFlight service to help transport a very vulnerable population: premature babies.(See Full Story)
Future of RACQ-CQ Rescue staff is in the air
Source: Daily Mercury, 09-May-13
The futures of some RACQ-CQ Rescue staff are still up in the air after CHC Helicopters lost their contract with the rescue service last month. (See Full Story)
RMC purchases helicopter pad
Source: The TandD, 08-May-13
Regional Medical Center trustees voted Tuesday to purchase a manufactured home for the hospital’s helicopter staff. (See Full Story)
Obituary – STARS founder John Panton
Source: STARS, 08-May-13
He was an engaging storyteller, a master at delivering puns and always good for a funny joke or two. John Panton’s dedication, devotion and admiration for STARS, however, were no laughing matter. “Without John’s support, and that of others from the Lions Club and community, STARS wouldn’t be here,” said Dr. Greg Powell, STARS founder. [...]
Guardian Flight Begins Emergency Helicopter Service in Williston
Source: Mercy Medical Center, 08-May-13
Travelers on the Dakota Parkway will notice a brand new and beautifully painted helicopter proudly positioned on the helipad at Mercy Medical Center. The helicopter is operated by Guardian Flight and began emergency helicopter services in Williston on Monday morning. The helicopter will provide the city of Williston and the surrounding areas with an added [...]
Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust announces new CEO
Source: ARHT, 08-May-13
Auckland’s Westpac Recue Helicopter service has today named Greg Barrow as its next CEO. Announcing the appointment, Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust Chairman Murray Bolton says Mr Barrow comes into the role with a lifetime of aviation experience behind him. “In recent months we have undertaken a thorough and robust recruitment process and Greg has come [...]
Seventeen EC135s for Turkish EMS contract
Source: Eurocopter, 07-May-13
Eurocopter’s EC135 will perform medical airlift duties throughout Turkey with a fleet of 17 helicopters to be flown by the Turkish Aeronautical Association’s THK Gökçen Aviation commercial arm, marking the latest major contract win for this twin-engine rotorcraft in the international emergency medical services (EMS) marketplace. Operations are to begin this August with an initial [...]
Fresh blood for Victoria’s air ambulances
Source: Latrobe Valley Express, 07-May-13
Flight paramedics based in the Latrobe Valley will be able to source vital blood stores quicker following a partnership with Gippsland Pathology. (See Full Story)
Rescued pilot funds Midlands Air Ambulance education centre
Source: Shropshire Star, 07-May-13
A businessman who was left clinging to life in the wreckage of a horror helicopter crash in Shropshire has shown his gratitude to the air ambulance service that saved him. (See Full Story)
INAER Spain attends International Congress on Intensive Care
Source: INAER, 06-May-13
INAER Spain (INAER), one of the world leaders in emergency air services, recently participated in the 6th International Congress on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine (URGRAV) in Havana, one of the most important events on emergency medicine in Latin America. INAER led the conference on time-dependent pathology care for conditions whose evolution depends primarily on [...]
STAT MedEvac Aims to Reduce Trauma Deaths
Source: UPMC, 06-May-13
Trauma experts at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and UPMC will launch a multi-center trial this summer to see if they can improve survival of patients who have suffered traumatic injuries with uncontrolled bleeding. Paramedics will administer plasma to these patients while they are still being transported by helicopter to the hospital. Uncontrolled [...]
PHI announces results for Q1 to March 31, 2013
Source: PHi, 06-May-13
Consolidated operating revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2013 increased $40.9 million compared to the three months ended March 31, 2012. Our Oil and Gas medium and heavy aircraft flight hours and revenues increased primarily due to increased deepwater drilling activity. Operating revenues in the Air Medical segment increased $21.2 million primarily due [...]
06-May-13 N373NE Eurocopter BK117C1 Bourne, US-Massachusetts
06-May-13
Precautionary landing due to weather
06-May-13 N911SV Eurocopter EC135 Billings, US-Montana
06-May-13
Bird strike broke windshield. Immediate – and uneventful – landing. No injuries.
04-May-13 Burdett, Australia
04-May-13
EMS helicopter grounded with patient on board after electrical issue. Patient to hospital by ground ambulance – took 1 hour extra. Medstar operates EC130, BK117 and B412 helicopters
Air Methods to report Q1 results on May 9
Source: Air Methods, 03-May-13
Air Methods Corporation (Nasdaq:AIRM) will report financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013 after the close of the market on Thursday, May 9, 2013. The Company has scheduled a conference call for Thursday, May 9, 2013 at 4:15 p.m. Eastern to discuss these results. Interested parties can access the call by dialing [...]
Emergency medical helicopter plan put on hold
Source: U~T San Diego, 03-May-13
A proposal to station an emergency air ambulance helicopter in Oceanside was put on hold by the City Council Wednesday pending further negotiations. (See Full Story)
EAAA Passes CQC Inspection with Flying Colours
Source: East Anglian Air Ambulance, 03-May-13
The East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) has passed its most recent inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which confirms that everyone helped by the Charity receives care of the highest quality. The EAAA, which provides the air ambulance service across Bedfordshire, Cambridge, Norfolk and Suffolk, operates from bases at Cambridge and Norwich. It has [...]
Yorkshire Air Ambulance paramedics help design revolutionary kit bags
Source: Yorkshire Air Ambulance, 03-May-13
Paramedics and doctors at Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) have helped design their own medical kit bags that are now being used to treat patients both on the ground and inflight. The medical teams have worked with manufacturers to produce the revolutionary pouch design bags already attracting interest from other helicopter emergency services. The new bags, [...]
Ornge Sells Two Surplus AW139s
Source: Ornge, 02-May-13
Ornge, Ontario’s provider of air ambulance and related services, announced today two surplus AW139 helicopters have been sold. The selling price was $20 million USD for two aircraft, or $10 million per helicopter. “With the sale of these helicopters, Ornge has taken another important step in addressing legacy issues inherited from previous leadership,” said Dr. [...]
STARS marks first anniversary in Saskatchewan
Source: STARS, 02-May-13
Today, STARS air ambulance acknowledges its one-year anniversary of providing helicopter air ambulance services in the province of Saskatchewan. Since beginning operations from its Regina base in April 2012, STARS has flown or rendered care to more than 300 patients in Saskatchewan. STARS currently operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week from bases [...]
02-May-13 N209LF Eurocopter EC130 Walnut Hill, US-Florida
02-May-13
EMS Helicopter grounded after technical (electrical?) fault on take-off. Patient on board and taken onwards by ground ambulance
Huntsville Hospital’s AS350 now carrying blood
Source: AL.com, 01-May-13
MedFlight, the hospital’s air ambulance, is the first helicopter in the state of Alabama to carry blood on every flight (see full report)
UK – First test flight for EMS helipad on Isle of Wight
Source: Isle of Wight radio, 01-May-13
The first test flight for St Mary’s Hospital’s new helipad has taken place (see full story)
Metro Aviation Pilot Recognized for Safety
Source: Metro Aviation, 01-May-13
Metro Aviation conducted annual training for 34 lead pilots last week. Pilots gathered at the company’s new training facility at its Shreveport, Louisiana headquarters. During the culminating dinner, Metro recognized Joseph “Woody” Woodard, Lead Pilot for the First Flight program in Melbourne, Florida. Woodard was honored for his quick thinking and commendable actions during a [...]
London’s Air Ambulance – new offices are rent-free
Source: HeliHub.com, 29-Apr-13
It has come to our notice by scanning property websites that the new 4,000 sq.ft (371 m²) are rent-free, courtesy of landlords Land Securities. That fact was missed from the press release issued by London’s Air Ambulance, which merely said “the office move has been prompted by continuous growth”. Checking the report on the CoStar [...]
Cost-Effectiveness of Helicopter Transport of Trauma Victims Examined
Source: Science Daily, 29-Apr-13
Researchers at the Stanford University have for the first time determined how often EMS helicopters need to help save the lives of seriously injured people to be considered cost-effective compared with ground ambulances. (see full story). File photo
Air Evac celebrates year of service in Licking County
Source: Newark Advocate, 29-Apr-13
In its first year of service for Licking County, the helicopters of Air Evac Lifeteam 107 made more than 200 flights and were requested for service more than 460 times. (See Full Story)
Aviation Australia honoured by RACQ Careflight
Source: Aviation Australia, 28-Apr-13
On Thursday 18 April 2013, Investors and Supporters of RACQ CareFlight’s rescue service were honoured with a cocktail function to recognise their contributions and support throughout the year. The evening included a host of special guests ranging from Corporate Sponsors to Individual Donors, without whose support the provision of 24/7 emergency response helicopter rescue service [...]
Metro Aviation delivers AS350 to EagleMed
Source: Metro Aviation, 25-Apr-13
Metro Aviation recently delivered a new Eurocopter AS350 to EagleMed as the result of a base expansion in Cody, Wyoming. The aircraft was completed at Metro’s headquarters in Shreveport, Louisiana. The AS350 is equipped with Metro’s EMS kit that includes the transfill oxygen system with two outlets, medical inverter system, flip up seats, and LEMS [...]
Former Ornge directors say they didn’t know about CEO’s extra fees
Source: CTV News, 25-Apr-13
Several former directors of Ornge say they were kept in the dark about extra fees ousted CEO Chris Mazza collected on top of his high salary from Ontario’s troubled air ambulance service. (See full story)
London Air Ambulance founder Alastair Wilson retires
Source: BBC News, 25-Apr-13
They help save lives and can get to anywhere in Greater London within six minutes, but 25 years ago London’s Air Ambulance did not even exist except as an idea in the mind of A&E consultant Alastair Wilson. (See Full Story)
Australia – CareFlight wins AAMS award
Source: Blacktown Sun, 24-Apr-13
An American aeromedical organisation has presented CareFlight with the Excellence in Community Service award in Washington for its training program last Friday. Association of Air Medical Services president Rick Sherlock said it was the first time an aeromedical service outside the US had received the award. (See full story)
London’s Air Ambulance to use 4G to enhance service
Source: London’s Air Ambulance, 24-Apr-13
London’s Air Ambulance, the charity that delivers an advanced trauma team to critically injured people in London, has formed a strategic partnership with mobile operator EE, to develop new systems that will use 4G technology to enhance its service and cut vital minutes off mission times to benefit its patients. London’s Air Ambulance has already [...]
24-Apr-13 XC-AAF MD Helicopters MD600N Oaxaca, Mexico (4F)
24-Apr-13
Helicopter on an EMS flight crashed killing a newborn baby less than 24 hours old, his father Pedro Martinez, pilot Guillermo Chávez Medina and paramedic Pablo Héctor Vicente. Helicopter destroyed
London’s Air Ambulance moves charity office
Source: London’s Air Ambulance, 23-Apr-13
London’s Air Ambulance is delighted to announce that our charity office is moving to the City of London on 29th April 2013. After many years of residency at The Royal London Hospital, our charity team is to relocate to 7/8 Philpot Lane, EC3M 8AA. Telephone 020 7220 5470 The office move has been prompted by [...]
Why Air Methods Shares Plunged 12% in one day
Source: News Times, 22-Apr-13
Air Methods sank 12% today after its preliminary quarterly results disappointed Wall Street. (see full story)
Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance shows off Bo105 colour scheme
Source: HeliHub.com, 22-Apr-13
Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance is making good progress and last week had their Eurocopter Bo105 at Perth’s Scone Airport to show off its colour scheme. It’s visit was only for a few days as it still needs some further equipment fitted before going live, but it did provide the charity the opportunity to announce that [...]
CALSTAR Transports 50,000th Patient
Source: CALSTAR, 19-Apr-13
january was a historic month for CALSTAR as we transported our 50,000th patient, CALSTAR CEO Lynn Malmstrom announced. “Surpassing 50,000 patient transports is a significant accomplishment and we would like to recognize our dedicated CALSTAR team members, past and present, as well as our many industry partners who have made it possible,” Malmstrom said. CALSTAR [...]
REACH receives FAA approval for GPS approaches in Oregon
Source: REACH Air, 19-Apr-13
REACH Air Medical Services (REACH) is pleased to announce approval from the FAA to use its own GPS approaches and routes, directly to hospitals and landing sites in Western Oregon. REACH is the first Helicopter Emergency Management Service (HEMS) program to commit assets to serve the Oregon Coast and Willamette Valley. These areas are often [...]
Air Methods Provides Update on Q1 Results
Source: Air Methods, 19-Apr-13
Air Methods Corporation (Nasdaq: AIRM), the largest air medical transportation company in the world, provided preliminary results for first quarter 2013. Total community-based patient transports for the first quarter 2013 are estimated to be 11,841. Patients transported for community bases in operation greater than one year decreased an estimated 1,082 transports, or 9%, while weather [...]
CALSTAR celebrates 15 years in Ukiah
Source: The Ukiah Daily Journal, 18-Apr-13
After completing approximately 7,000 flights, the CALSTAR base in Ukiah marked its 15th anniversary Monday. The base, known as CALSTAR-4, serves the diverse and largely remote areas of Mendocino and Lake Counties (see full story).
Metro Aviation delivers new EC135 to CALSTAR
Source: Metro Aviation, 18-Apr-13
Metro Aviation recently delivered the third of eight new EC135s to California Shock Trauma Air Rescue (CALSTAR). The new aircraft are part of a comprehensive fleet upgrade and standardization plan for the helicopter emergency medical service based in McClellan, CA. Metro will provide eight EC135s to replace the program’s older fleet, making it an all-Eurocopter [...]
18-Apr-13 N495AE Bell 407 Waco, US-Texas
18-Apr-13
Bird strike, windscreen broken, landed without further incident, no injuries
CALSTAR adds new “clot stabilizing” treatment
Source: CALSTAR, 17-Apr-13
Sacramento based CALSTAR, the largest nonprofit air ambulance on the west coast, is the first air ambulance in the United States to introduce a new “clot stabilizing” treatment to its arsenal of medications. Tranexamic acid (TXA) could save hundreds of lives in California and thousands across the country, according to Dr. David Duncan, CALSTAR’s medical [...]
Summit Air Ambulance rolling after successful first year
Source: Bozeman Daily Chronicle, 17-Apr-13
The first year of Summit Air Ambulance’s existence in southwest Montana has been a memorable one (see full story).
Metro Aviation Enters Level III status in FAA’s SMS Pilot Project
Source: Metro Aviation, 17-Apr-13
For safety to exist, it must be a way of life.” Those words are familiar in the Metro Aviation family and reiterated in a new safety video featuring Metro’s CEO Mike Stanberry. The video speaks directly to employees and customers and reaffirms Metro’s commitment to sustaining an active Safety Management System (SMS). The incorporation of [...]
London’s Air Ambulance partners with International SOS
Source: London’s Air Ambulance, 17-Apr-13
International SOS and London’s Air Ambulance today announced a strategic partnership for 2013. The partnership will focus on securing additional funding for London’s Air Ambulance to sustain the vital life-saving services it delivers across the capital and support a number of key enhancements being made by the charity. London’s Air Ambulance, the charity that delivers [...]
16-Apr-13 N911CH Eurocopter BK117B1 Cumberland, US-Maine
16-Apr-13
Emergency field landing, no apprarent damage
CAMTS Announces Accreditations
Source: CAMTS, 15-Apr-13
Congratulations to the following medical transport services that achieved accreditation for the first time: Aeromed – a rotorwing service operating in Tampa, FL providing critical care since 1989. Air Methods Corporation operates and maintains the aircraft at 4 satellite bases. HALL CCT – a rotorwing and critical care ground service providing critical care in the [...]
New AS350 for Castleview Hospital
Source: ETV-10 News, 15-Apr-13
Price residents may have noticed a helicopter flying over the city on Friday. The new chopper caught the eye of many residents and will soon be a permanent fixture to the area (see full story)
Lucasville air base gets a new EC130
Source: Portsmouth-Dailytimes, 15-Apr-13
The Healthnet 4/Medflight 7 airbase located at 7106 Big Bear Creek Road in Lucasville recently received a new, larger helicopter to serve the air medical needs of the community (see full story).
15-Apr-13 N408GA Bell 407 New River, US-Arizona
15-Apr-13
We have a recent report in of an emergency landing at 10.28pm of an EMS helicopter near the junction of New River and Cross Mountain roads in New River, Arizona – northern outskirts of Phoenix. Air Methods operating for “Guardian Air”
New helicopter request app saves time and lives
Source: Heli-Now, 14-Apr-13
When EMS helicopter pilot Jim Cooper observed that the system for requesting a life flight crew was unnecessarily long, complicated and prone to error, he decided not to accept the status quo. He created a new iPhone application to streamline communication and save crews precious minutes. Heli-Now founder Cooper said, “This simple helicopter request app [...]
West Michigan AirCare celebrates 20 years
Source: Air Care, 12-Apr-13
Marks Air Care’s 20th anniversary and we wish to express our thanks to all healthcare providers in the region for so many years of teamwork and for helping keep us safe. Since our first mission in 1993, we’ve dedicated ourselves to bringing critical care and rapid trauma interventions to patients in Southwest Michigan and Northern [...]
Cork Hospital to get temporary helipad after 10 years without one
12-Apr-13
The hospital had a helipad on the rooftop of its old ED but it was removed in 2003 when a new emergency department was built and although the provision was made in the new building for a rooftop helipad, but it was never funded. A commitment has now been made for a temporary pad within [...]
MassDevelopment issues tax-exempt $8M lease for Boston Medflight EC145
Source: Boston Medflight, 12-Apr-13
MassDevelopment has issued an $8 million tax-exempt lease on behalf of New England Life Flight, Inc. in Bedford, which does business as Boston MedFlight. The emergency transport service will use lease proceeds to buy a medically configured helicopter that will replace an existing helicopter to transport ill and injured patients. Lease proceeds will also finance [...]
12-Apr-13 G-HBOB Eurocopter EC135T2+ Sunningdale, UK
12-Apr-13
Aircraft grounded after problem involving netting across an astroturf sports field at a school. Needed engineer before it could fly, stayed overnight and departed next morning.
12-Apr-13 N909SH Eurocopter EC145 Sioux Falls, US-South Dakota
12-Apr-13
Precautionary landing after left transmission oil indication below normal limits. Later traced to faulty transmission oil pressure transmitter
Air Evac Lifeteam Earns Three-Year CECBEMS Accreditation
Source: Air Evac Lifeteam, 11-Apr-13
Air Evac Lifeteam, the largest independently owned and operated air medical service provider in the United States, was recently awarded a three-year certification from CECBEMS. Jennifer Fletcher, director of patient care services and staff development for Air Evac Lifeteam, said the company is one of the biggest providers of continuing education in the country. In [...]
