EagleMed LLC critical care air medical transport company has selected Metro Aviation as its preferred provider of helicopter simulator training for its pilots. EagleMed will conduct this important training at Metro Aviation’s Helicopter Flight Training Center in Shreveport, La., utilizing a Eurocopter AS350 Level 7 Flight Training Device.

“EagleMed’s unconditional commitment to safety is further enhanced by this new addition to our already robust pilot training program,” EagleMed President Larry Bugg said. “Incorporating the advanced AS350 training device into EagleMed’s pilot training curriculum allows us to achieve an increasingly greater level of proficiency by logging multiple iterations of emergency and instrument recovery procedures.”

“We are excited about bringing more emphasis to safety in the helicopter industry through the training center,” Metro Aviation President Mike Stanberry said. “This development is another step toward providing safer operations and contributing to EagleMed’s continuous pursuit of zero defect flight operations.”

Advanced Training

EagleMed’s experienced and proficient team of commercial instrument rated rotor and Airline Transport Pilot rated fixed wing pilots undergo extensive hands-on training every six months to include FlightSafety International simulation training. EagleMed’s expert staff of critical care paramedics and Certified Flight Registered Nurses has advanced training in pediatric and adult care and utilize METIman Human Patient Simulators (adult, pediatric, and infant) to maintain the highest level of competency and proficiency.

Safety Focus

EagleMed is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Services (CAMTS), which is the gold standard for patient care and safety across the operational spectrum of air medical transport services. EagleMed is one of only two Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 135 charter certificate holders in the FAA Central Region to achieve Safety Management System (SMS) Level 2 distinction. Additionally, EagleMed received the ARGUS International, Inc. Gold Rating based on pilot qualifications and a comprehensive on-site safety audit of its aviation and maintenance operations.

EagleMed’s senior aviation, maintenance, and safety leadership has a combined total of more than 150 years of aviation operational experience. Recognized as a leader in the industry, the organization and its employees received the 2013 Chairman’s Award and the 2010 President’s Award for Leadership and Safety from the Association of Air Medical Services. EagleMed also received the 2011 Safety Award from the Helicopter Association International, Best Practice in Just Culture from CAMTS; and the 2012 Pilot of the Year Award from the National EMS Pilots Association.

EagleMed leverages technology through its web-based Learning Management System and IS-BAO registered Baldwin SMSlite system to deliver regulatory, aircraft-specific, air medical resource management, SMS, risk management, just culture, threat and error management, OSHA safety compliance training and safety report data tracking and analysis. EagleMed maintains a technologically advanced Communications Center with satellite tracking/communications for 24/7 oversight and medical direction provided by a cadre of emergency physicians and highly trained communication staff that are certified emergency medical technicians.

About Metro Aviation

Metro Aviation Inc., based in Shreveport, La., is a worldwide provider of completion services for all missions and helicopter types and specializes in EC135 and EC145 with several Supplemental Type Certificates (STC) developed by the company for these and other aircraft. Metro is an FAA approved repair station, EASA approved Eurocopter Service Center and FAR Part 135 air medical operations provider at several locations across the United States. The privately held company is one of the largest traditional air medical providers in the country. For additional information regarding Metro Aviation Inc. and any of its products or services, please contact Kristen King Holmes at 318.698.5200 or kking@metroaviation.com.

About EagleMed LLC

EagleMed LLC, headquartered in Wichita, Kan., is a privately owned and operated critical care air medical and ground transport service. A subsidiary of Air Medical Group Holdings, Inc., EagleMed has provided safe, world-class patient care to patients and communities in the Midwest for more than 30 years. EagleMed has more than 400 highly trained employees and operates an extensive fleet of 14 medically equipped Eurocopter AS350 B2/B3 helicopters, 20 Beechcraft King Air fixed-wing aircraft, and six ground ambulances in 12 States. For more info go to flyeaglemed.com.

About AirMedCare

EagleMed is a membership-supported air ambulance service that is part of the AirMedCare Network. AirMedCare is America’s largest air medical transport membership network, providing emergency access to the highest levels of care for its 1.6 million subscribers. The AirMedCare Network combines the membership programs of four leading air ambulance operators: EagleMed, REACH, Air Evac Lifeteam and Med-Trans Corporation. For more information about memberships, visitjoineaglemed.com.