REACT returns to full service – EC135 replaces BK117
Source: Rockford Memorial Hospital, 07-Feb-13
Rockford Memorial Hospital’s REACT helicopter program resumed full air and ground transport service on Sunday, February 3. Working with aviation partner Air Methods, REACT pilots, flight nurses and mechanics resumed serving injured and critically-ill patients throughout the region. The first flight was a patient flown from Freeport to Rockford Memorial Hospital. REACT is using a [...]
OSF bases Life Flight EC145 in Peru (Peru, Illinois!)
Source: News Tribune, 05-Feb-13
OSF Life Flight, a part of OSF HealthCare, announced a significant expansion of its medical helicopter services to the region around Peru. (see full story)
US Helicopters takes delivery of an AS350B2 for Chicago TV station
Source: American Eurocopter, 01-Feb-13
American Eurocopter today announced delivery of a new AS350 B2 AStar aircraft to U.S. Helicopters, Inc. U.S. Helicopters, Inc. based in Marshville, N.C., is one of the largest operators of electronic news gathering helicopters in the country. The company has served dozens of major television stations located in cities in most of the lower 48 [...]
Med-Trans appoints VP of Partner Development
Source: Med-Trans, 27-Jan-13
Med-Trans Corp., a leader in the air medical industry, announced today that Jana Williams has accepted the position of V.P. of Partner Development and will be working out of the Chicago area in addition to the corporate headquarters in Lewisville, Texas. Williams,a transformational leader, has been in EMS for more than 27 years. She most recently [...]
Rockford Memorial Hospital prepares for full return of REACT
Source: Rockford Memorial Hospital, 22-Jan-13
Rockford Memorial Hospital’s REACT helicopter program recently began training flights on a temporary aircraft. Working with our aviation partner, Air Methods, REACT pilots and mechanics are now training on a Eurocopter EC135 aircraft housed at the hangar on the North Rockton Avenue campus. Flight nurses have resumed staffing critical care ground transports throughout the region [...]
10-Dec-12 N911BK Eurocopter BK117B3 Rochelle, US-Illinois (3F)
10-Dec-12
Three killed in an EMS helicopter accident – en route from Rockford base to Mendota to pick up a patient. Weather reported as a factor. Pilot later named as Andy Olesen, and the two flight nurses were Jim Dillow and Karen Hollis
Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police president suspended over helicopter allegations
Source: Chicago Tribune, 01-Nov-12
Timothy Swanson faces an investigation into a police helicopter program he began while chief of southwest suburban Countryside in 2005 and then moved to Kankakee County in 2009, records show. (see full story)
First OSF EC145 delivered with Becker DVCS6100 Digital Audio System
Source: Becker Avionics, 17-Aug-12
OSF Aviation, LLC, a division of OSF HealthCare based in Peoria, Illinois, recently took delivery of their first of four (4) new Eurocopter EC145 Air Medical helicopters with the Becker Avionics’ DVCS6100 Digital Audio System installed. These EC145s are part of a fleet replacement program for OSF’s operations. OSF Aviation is the provider of air [...]
Free! Chicago Helicopter Safety Workshop
Source: HAI, 15-Aug-12
HAI, in partnership with the FAA Safety Team (FAASteam), will host a free, two-day safety seminar, Aug. 24-25, in Des Plaines, Ill. for all helicopter pilots in the Great Lakes region. Doors and registration open at 8:30 a.m. The workshop days start at 9:00 a.m. and will run until 4:00 p.m. Pre-registration is not required [...]
East Chicago council signs off on St. Catherine heliport
Source: East Chicago community, 03-Jul-12
The East Chicago City Council has approved a special zoning variance allowing St. Catherine Hospital to build a new heliport. (see full story)
27-May-12 N1UB Robinson R44 Peoria, US-Illinois
27-May-12
Tail struck ground while hovering, causing helicopter to crash land on its side
United Rotorcraft delivers first WAAS EC145
Source: United Rotorcraft, 08-May-12
United Rotorcraft is pleased to announce it has delivered the first of four Eurocopter EC145 aircraft to OSF Aviation, LLC, Peoria, Ill., a part of OSF HealthCare. The delivery marks the first after market WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) certified (under FAA STC) EC145. WAAS is intended to enable aircraft to rely on GPS for [...]
21-Apr-12 N34LB Schweizer 300C Schaumburg, US-Illinois
21-Apr-12
Tail rotor struck ground handling platform during landing
Chicago Fire and Police Depts order Vislink surveillance technology
Source: Vislink, 22-Feb-12
Vislink has won a major order from Motorola Solutions, Inc. to fulfill Motorola’s contract with the City of Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) to equip Chicago Fire and Police Department helicopters with airborne surveillance technology in advance of the city’s hosting of the Group of Eight (G8) and NATO Summits in May [...]
OSF Aviation selects Becker digital audio new EC145 fleet
Source: Becker Avionics, 09-Feb-12
Becker Avionics’ DVCS6100 Digital Audio System was recently selected by OSF Aviation, LLC, a part of OSF HealthCare based in Peoria, Illinois for their new EC145 Air Medical Helicopter fleet. The four (4) EC145s are part of a fleet replacement program for OSF’s operations. OSF Aviation is the provider of air medical support services to [...]
Residents’ lawsuit seeks to block construction of Chicago EMS helipad
Source: CBS Chicago, 23-Dec-11
The lawsuit was filed by SOAR, the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents, according to Crain’s Chicago Business. The group is seeking to have a judge reverse the October ruling by the Illinois Department of Transportation that approved the heliport. (see full story)
AAR partners with Chicago colleges to fill skills gaps in aviation
Source: AAR, 21-Dec-11
AAR (NYSE: AIR) has been selected by Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s Office as aviation industry partner for a new education to careers engagement strategy between the City Colleges of Chicago and private business to prepare residents for jobs in high-growth sectors. AAR Chairman and CEO David P. Storch joined Mayor Emanuel for the announcement of the [...]
13-Nov-11 N330SL Eurocopter BK117 Carbondale, US-Illinois
13-Nov-11
Main rotor struck tail boom on shut down
Lifeline at Rockford’s OSF Saint Anthony marks 30 years
Source: Rockford Register Star, 26-Oct-11
OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center celebrates 30 years of its Lifeline medical helicopter program Wednesday, and staff say health system officials have invested in major equipment upgrades and training during the last few years to make the aircraft more dependable and in demand for the region. (see full story)
United Rotorcraft to complete four EC145s for OSF HealthCare
Source: Air Methods, 24-Oct-11
Air Methods, the largest air medical transportation company in the world, announced today that United Rotorcraft, a division of Air Methods (formerly known as the Products Division of Air Methods) has been awarded a contract by OSF Aviation, LLC, Peoria, Ill., a part of OSF HealthCare, to complete OSF’s four new Eurocopter EC145 aircraft. The [...]
OSF Aviation purchases four EC145s
Source: American Eurocopter, 17-Oct-11
** EDITOR NOTE ** HeliHub.com broke this story four weeks ago – see OSF Life Flight to upgrade from B230 to EC145 – what follows is merely today’s press release confirming the details American Eurocopter is pleased to announce that OSF Aviation, LLC, a part of OSF HealthCare based in Peoria, Illinois, has ordered four [...]
Streeterville Children’s Memorial Hospital Heliport Approved
Source: HeliHub.com, 16-Oct-11
Helicopters will be able to bring sick patients to the new Children’s Memorial Hospital in Streeterville after the Illinois Department of Transportation approved the heliport Friday. Children’s Memorial said on average, 73 children are brought to its current Lincoln Park location by helicopter every year. William P Johnson – HeliHub.com US correspondent
OSF Life Flight to upgrade from B230 to EC145
Source: HeliHub.com, 16-Sep-11
SCOOP! OSF Life Flight, run by St Francis Medical Center in the Illinois city of Peoria, is set to move from using Bell 230s. Currently they fly four of the type, registered N830SF, N840SF, M870SF and N880SF, two registered to OSF Aviation LLC in 2002 and two in 2007. In recent days, four Eurocopter [...]
Air Evac Lifeteam honours Marion paramedic
Source: Air Evac Lifeteam, 26-Aug-11
Marion, IL – Todd Test, flight paramedic for the Marion, Ill. Air Evac Lifeteam base, has been honored with the company’s 2011 Region 1 Flight Paramedic of the Year award. Test’s region consists of Air Evac Lifeteam bases in Illinois, Missouri and Indiana. The Flight Paramedic of the Year is presented to the paramedic who [...]
Shining lasers at aircraft cockpits made illegal in Illinois
Source: HeliHub.com, 01-Aug-11
Illinois legislators have passed state-level law which will make it illegal to target a laser at the cockpit of an aircraft. The law was recently signed onto the statute books by Illinois Governor, Pat Quinn, as one of a package of new laws to fight crime and protect residents across the state, and will become [...]
27-Jul-11 N10009 Texas M74A (Bell 47) Creston, US-Illinois
27-Jul-11
The pilot was landing the helicopter on a helicopter cart. He said that the helicopter’s skid got caught on the cart and the helicopter subsequently rolled over. There were no mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter during the flight. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to its tailboom when it rolled.
Defective Air Angels A109 and wrongful death lawsuit remains in Illinois court
Source: Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, 06-Jun-11
A defective aircraft and wrongful death lawsuit will continue court proceedings in Illinois, ruled the Appellate Court of Illinois, First Judicial District, Sixth Division. Michael Russell flew an emergency medical service helicopter for Air Angels, Inc. throughout Cook County. He died when the aircraft he was piloting crashed. His family subsequently discovered that one of [...]
Children’s Hospital helipad deemed safe for approach, landing
Source: Chicago Tribune, 03-Jun-11
A proposed helipad for the new Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood should be safe enough “to perform approach and landing maneuvers,” an independent analysis conducted for the Illinois Department of Transportation says.
12-May-11 N9263Y Bell OH-58C New Athens, US-Illinois (1F)
12-May-11
Coroner reported that James Burks of Hot Springs, Ark. was pronounced dead at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville. Sheriff’s Sgt. Michael Hundelt says the helicopter was spraying fungicide on a wheat field near New Athens when the rotor separated from the aircraft, causing it to crash.
03-May-11 N38096 Bell 47 (Texas M74) New Columbia, US-Illinois
03-May-11
Crashed into field after take-off
16-Dec-10 N101AE Bell B206L-1 Peoria, US-Illinois
16-Dec-10
Landing accident, damage level not given in FAA preliminary report
Air Methods to terminate Saints Flight 2 this week after just nine months
Source: MyWebTimes, 27-Sep-10
In the statement, St. Mary’s Hospital CEO Joanne Fenton said Air Methods has informed the hospital of the discontinuation of services. Saints Flight 2 has been based at St. Mary’s since January.
Stephenson County Sheriff defends involvement in LEAC consortium
Source: Journal Standard, 23-Sep-10
Stephenson County Sheriff David Snyders vigorously defended his department’s participation in a regional helicopter program Thursday, amid what he characterized as a flood of misinformation circulating about the project.
Law Enforcement Aviation Coalition needs to justify tax money
Source: Rockford Register Star, 18-Aug-10
LEAC’s accounting and record keeping seem hazy even for a nonprofit organization that relies on volunteers. Their website shows them operating three OH-58s and one UH-1. A Bell 430 is also available on a donation basis
La Salle County Board to decide whether OH-58 will fly
Source: My Web Times, 30-Jun-10
Whether to sponsor a helicopter on behalf of the Law Enforcement Coalition is now set to be decided by the La Salle County Board at its meeting on Thursday, July 8. The county’s role would be to sponsor, not pay for, a military surplus OH-58 [file photo]
OSF Saint Francis Medical Center heliport wins top rating
Source: Journal Star, 04-Jun-10
OSF was awarded Best Airport of the Year in the heliport category by the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Division of Aeronautics.
La Salle County Sheriff to consider helicopter acquisition
Source: MyWebTimes, 25-May-10
A proposal by La Salle County Sheriff Tom Templeton to add a low-cost helicopter to the county’s law enforcement tools is to be considered by the full County Board at its June 14 meeting.
Pilot error blamed in fatal 2008 Air Angels crash
Source: Chicago Tribune, 22-Mar-10
The National Transportation Safety Board attributed the fatal 2008 crash of an Air Angels medical helicopter in Aurora to the pilot’s “inadequate preflight planning” and flying too low, which caused the copter to strike a radio tower.
Lifeline cleared for landing at ten regional hospitals
Source: WREX, 17-Mar-10
Lifeline helicopters get special clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration. It means they can land directly at ten regional hospitals including a Rockford one.
Adventist Hinsdale Hospital’s helipad approved
Source: MySuburbanLife, 03-Feb-10
By a 5-1 vote Monday, Feb. 1, the Hinsdale Village Board approved Adventist Hinsdale Hospital’s request to build a helistop atop the hospital’s existing parking deck as part of the hospital’s proposed $75 million expansion project.
Hinsdale Hospital helistop up for board vote Monday
Source: MNySuburbanLife.com, 29-Jan-10
Adventist Hinsdale Hospital’s plan to build a new patient wing and add a helistop pad to the existing facility will come to a Village Board vote Monday.
Saints Flight helicopter to be stationed at St. Mary’s Hospital
Source: My Web Times, 21-Jan-10
Saints Flight, a helicopter transport service, will be permanently stationed at St. Mary’s Hospital in Streator, hospital officials announced Thursday at a press conference.
Flight for Life to celebrate 25 years as air ambulance in Illinois
Source: Northwest Herald, 01-Sep-09
28-Aug-09 N830SF Bell B230 Peoria, US-Illinois
28-Aug-09
28-Aug-09 N830SF Bell B230 Peoria, US-Illinois
14-Aug-09 N38096 Bell B47 Texas M74 DeKalb, US-Illinois
14-Aug-09
14-Aug-09 N38096 Bell B47 Texas M74 DeKalb, US-Illinois
Proposed heliport amid Streeterville high-rises now up to state
Source: Chicago Tribune, 11-Aug-09
Experts from the Illinois Department of Transportation will pore over stacks of statistics and tales of medical emergencies in trying to decide whether a heliport proposed for the new Lurie Children’s Hospital in Streeterville can be built.
Chicago’s Children’s Hospital Still Facing Criticism Over Proposed Heliport
Source: Chicago Public Radio, 20-Jul-09
1-Jul-09 N880SF Bell B230 Peoria, US-Illinois
01-Jul-09
1-Jul-09 N880SF Bell B230 Peoria, US-Illinois
17-Mar-09 N101AE Bell B206 Springfield, US-Illinois
17-Mar-09
17-Mar-09 N101AE Bell B206 Springfield, US-Illinois
17-Mar-09 N595AE Bell B206 Springfield, US-Illinois
17-Mar-09
17-Mar-09 N595AE Bell B206 Springfield, US-Illinois
23-Feb-09 N880SF Eurocopter BK117 St Louis Downtown Airport, US-Illinois
23-Feb-09
23-Feb-09 N880SF Eurocopter BK117 St Louis Downtown Airport, US-Illinois
