17-Feb-2013Source: AAA
Following the Association of Air Ambulances decision to change its membership structures the Association has recruited 2 new full members and a range of associate members to its ranks. Full members of the Association are ambulance services and air ambulance charities that are committed to ethical fundraising and collaboration in their unified vision of improving... Read more
15-Feb-2013Source: Air Methods
Air Methods Corporation (NASDAQ: AIRM), the global leader in air medical transportation, announced today it has entered into agreements with HCA MidAmerica and North Florida Divisions. Air Methods will provide medical communication services through its DirectCall Transfer Center for the MidAmerica Division, and has established a preferred provider agreement with the North Florida Division for... Read more
15-Feb-2013Source: Arizona Daily Sun
Flagstaff Medical Center’s air arm is stepping in to help with search and rescue missions in northern Arizona at a time when the state Department of Public Safety’s Flagstaff-based helicopter is grounded much of the time due to budget constraints. (see full story) Editor note – the helicopter at this hospital is a Bell 407... Read more
15-Feb-2013Source: Eurocopter
Marking a key milestone in India’s development of modern heliborne resources to support lifesaving missions, AVIATORS Pvt Ltd signed today, in the presence of French President François Hollande, a firm order for an initial batch of seven Eurocopter EC135 aircraft for helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) operations. A second order is expected to be carried... Read more
14-Feb-2013
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today an agreement with LifeFlight Eagle for the supply of two Bell 407GX aircraft. LifeFlight Eagle will utilize the helicopters to transport critically ill and injured persons in the Kansas City, MO area. “Our current fleet of Bell 407’s has demonstrated a high degree of safe,... Read more
14-Feb-2013Source: Med-Trans
We are pleased to announce that David Carr has accepted the position of Safety Director for Med-Trans Corporation (MTC), beginning his position Feb. 14th. Mr. Carr is a proven safety professional and leader in the aviation industry, having earned numerous safety-related awards and certifications. Prior to joining the Med-Trans Leadership team, Mr. Carr served as... Read more
13-Feb-2013Source: Softtech
Softtech LLC, the maker of the Flight Vector[T] family of products, is proud to announce Air Medical Resource Group (AMRG) has adopted the Flight & Duty Tracker[T] system into their operations. AMRG went live with Flight & Duty Tracker[T] in late 2012 and has recently been awarded full 14 CFR Part 135 Operations Specifications A025... Read more
12-Feb-2013Source: Western Daily Press
Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance flew rescue missions 615 times last year (see full story)... Read more
12-Feb-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Gone are the big sponsor logos – but the theme is still very much red. The MD Explorer of LAA (London’s Air Ambulance) G-EHMS has appeared from the paint shop at Gloucestershire Airport in new red paint with a yellow and pale blue “dog tooth” pattern to the aft of the cabin area and to... Read more
8-Feb-2013Source: DRF Luftrettung
A seriously injured motorcyclist, a toddler with burns, a heart attack pa-tient: in an emergency, every minute counts. When help is needed right away, salvation increasingly comes from the air. The DRF Luftrettung helicopters flew a total of 38,748 missions last year – these are 382 mis-sions more than the previous year (2011: 38,366). DRF... Read more
7-Feb-2013Source: Bond
Bond Helicopters Europe (Bond) is delighted to confirm that the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has approved one of its EC135 aircraft for night vision goggles (NVG) operations to ground level, a significant step towards the UK’s first night air ambulance operations. At present, no air ambulance service in the UK is able to operate... Read more
7-Feb-2013Source: Rockford Memorial Hospital
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... Read more
6-Feb-2013Source: AAA
Following last night’s [Monday 4th] broadcast off BBC1’s Inside Out investigation into the Children’s Air Ambulance operated by The Air Ambulance Service Ltd. The Association on behalf of its members wishes to reassure the public that their local air ambulances provide emergency and transfer services for children and babies. Members of the association can be... Read more
6-Feb-2013Source: Independent
The football pitch at Our Lady of Mercy College in Beaumont will be used as a landing place for the helicopter air ambulance service. (see full story)... Read more
6-Feb-2013Source: Devon Air Ambulance
On Monday 4 February, during the BBC South West ‘Inside Out’ programme, there was a feature about The Air Ambulance Service’s proposed Children’s Air Ambulance service. Heléna Holt, Chief Executive of Devon Air Ambulance Trust said: “We would like to take the opportunity to reassure the people of Devon that their local Air Ambulances can... Read more
5-Feb-2013Source: BBC
The Coventry-based charity became The Air Ambulance Service after launching a national children’s service but is yet to transport any youngsters. A leaked NHS report suggests a whole network of air ambulances would be needed to provide such a national air transfer service for children (see full story)... Read more
5-Feb-2013Source: News Tribune
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)... Read more
5-Feb-2013Source: HeliHub.com
London’s Air Ambulance are reportedly moving base to Northolt in the very near future, having overnighted their helicopter – currently an MD Explorer, plus the Dauphin before that – for 24 years at Denham. There are two possible reasons for this – either their contract was with Premiair (who ceased operating from Denham late last... Read more
4-Feb-2013Source: SEACOR Holdings
SEACOR Holdings Inc. (NYSE: CKH) (“SEACOR”) and Era Group Inc. (“Era Group”) today [Friday 1st February] announced the successful completion of the spin-off of Era Group from SEACOR, finalizing the transition to Era Group’s status as an independent public company. Until this point a subsidiary of SEACOR, Era Group attained full independent status yesterday, January... Read more
4-Feb-2013Source: Fort McMurray Today
Despite STARS being active in many parts of Alberta, Phoenix Heli-Flight is convinced that there is a market for 24×7 EMS services in other parts of the Province. So much so, they are buying a Eurocopter EC135 for such operations (see full story)... Read more
3-Feb-2013Source: East London Advertiser
“his long-term mission is to have two helicopters flying simultaneously both day and night. At present the helicopter only operates during daylight hours from around 8am in the morning to around 4pm in winter and 8pm in summer.” Read the full article... Read more
1-Feb-2013Source: Ornge
Ornge, Ontario’s provider of air ambulance and related services, is reaffirming its commitment to patients in Northern Ontario by taking steps to increase staffing levels at its Thunder Bay base. “We are pleased to announce this enhancement of what is a vital service in the northwest, given the vast geography and long distances between medical... Read more
31-Jan-2013Source: NEMSPA
Not even freezing rain and cold temperatures could stop the passionate dedication of NEMSPA’s Board of Directors, who convened in Salt Lake City January 24th- 25th for their annual board meeting and two-day workshop focusing on safety and membership recruitment. The hoshin style brainstorming session, led by Dr. Frank Thomas, refined and set the tone... Read more
31-Jan-2013Source: HAI
On Wednesday, January 30, 2013, the FAA notified HAI that it is granting a 2-year extension of an exemption for helicopter EMS operators. Exemption 6002 allows properly trained air medical pilots to remove and reinstall liquid oxygen system containers under specified conditions. The exemption was set to expire on Thursday, January 31, 2013, but is... Read more
29-Jan-2013Source: Post and Courier
A new $1.8 million helipad on top of Roper Hospital’s South Tower will open for air traffic next month. (see full story)... Read more
28-Jan-2013Source: Lompoc Record
Central Coast residents had the opportunity Friday night to check out two new air ambulances that recently started serving the area and have the capability to whisk them to safety in an emergency (see full story)... Read more
28-Jan-2013Source: St. Vincent Health
St. Vincent Health officials have announced plans to expand access to its air medical program with the opening of a new air medical base of operations to be located at Rush Memorial Hospital in Rushville. The new StatFlight base, scheduled to open in late spring 2013, will place a new state-of-the-art helicopter, a Bell 407,... Read more
27-Jan-2013Source: Med-Trans
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... Read more
27-Jan-2013Source: Spectrum Aeromed
pectrum Aeromed announced today that the company plans to display at the European Helicopter Show (EHS) May 9-11. Spectrum Aeromed, an AS9100 certified company, is a leading global designer and manufacturer of custom air medical and air ambulance equipment for fixed and rotor wing aircraft. The company is qualified to produce specialized life support solutions... Read more
25-Jan-2013Source: Ornge
Ornge, Ontario’s provider of air ambulance and related services, is improving patient safety with a new interim interior for its fleet of AW139 helicopters that will allow paramedics to perform CPR at any time during flight. “We transport the most critically injured or ill patients, which means our paramedics must have an effective working environment,”... Read more
24-Jan-2013Source: TVACAA
The Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance reached another important landmark, flying its 14,000th mission to attend to a fallen horse rider out on the Lambourn Gallops. Sarah Williamson, Head of Fundraising for the Trust said: “Because of the rural location, Air Ambulance BOB received the ‘shout’ to Lambourn Gallops to assist a rider who... Read more
24-Jan-2013Source: USA Today
A Life Flight helicopter pilot, Cooper has released an iPhone application he hopes can help save the lives of flight crew patients by reducing the time it takes for a first responder’s help call to reach a pilot. Heli-Now gives first responders the ability to directly request an EMS helicopter to where it is needed... Read more
24-Jan-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Yesterday we recorded a Bell 429 arriving in Nigeria last Thursday for the Nigerian Police – but actually it was one of a pair arriving on the same shipment. The second, in a striking orange and white scheme is for NEMA – the National Emergency Management Agency – and is in an EMS configuration. Still... Read more
23-Jan-2013Source: ADAC
(electronic translation) The rescue and intensive care transport helicopter of the ADAC air rescue in 2012 had so many missions flying like never before. Overall, the “Yellow Angel” moved out of the sky 49 243 times, in 2011 there were approximately 47 000 operations. This represents an increase of four per cent compared to 2011. Here, a... Read more
23-Jan-2013Source: Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Nationwide Children’s Hospital is expanding their critical care transport services by establishing a fully dedicated helicopter for neonatal and pediatric transports. The state-of-the-art EC145 helicopter, named Monarch 1, features the best in size, performance and technology allowing for the safe transportation of critically ill patients. With approximately 30 percent of all neonatal admissions to Nationwide... Read more
22-Jan-2013Source: HeliHub.com
At least 40 employees of the 061 – the Spanish public health emergency organisation – staged a protest in Granada last week at the opening of four disciplinary cases. Two EMS workers, a doctor and a health and safety representative are central to the situation which concerns “safety deficiencies” in the operation of the helicopter... Read more
22-Jan-2013Source: Rockford Memorial Hospital
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... Read more
21-Jan-2013Source: Alberta Health Services
Patients living in northern Alberta will continue to have access to rapid, reliable, and safe emergency care when the new air ambulance base is relocated to the Edmonton International Airport (EIA) in March. Alberta Health Services air ambulance operations are moving to a new 3,600 square-metre hangar at the Edmonton International Airport, immediately adjacent to... Read more
21-Jan-2013Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), honored Air Methods founder Roy Morgan with the first Bell Helicopter Vertical Flight Hall of Fame award at the 10th annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards in Beverly Hills on January 18. The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the rotorcraft industry. “To be... Read more
21-Jan-2013Source: Lampasas Radio
Rollins Brook Community Hospital will celebrate its new onsite helicopter landing pad at 3pm Wednesday, January 23 (see full story)... Read more
20-Jan-2013Source: Victorville Daily Press
Desert Valley, owned by Prime Healthcare Services, is ready to build the $150,000 helipad as soon as the City of Victorville approves the plan (see full story)... Read more
20-Jan-2013Source: HAI
Major Ray E. Murphy, U.S. Army (ret.), Vietnam War veteran and recipient of HAI’s 2012 Eurocopter Golden Hour Award, passed away on December 21, 2012. Ray was born in Bellefontaine, Ohio, in July of 1942. He joined the U.S. Army when he was 18 and completed two tours in Vietnam, including one as a helicopter... Read more
18-Jan-2013Source: Australian Helicopters
Australian Helicopters Pty Ltd (AHPL) and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) (RFDS) have joined forces to provide emergency medical evacuation during Australian Army training exercises in remote areas. The partnership between the two organisations will ensure that Australian soldiers receive the best possible care and support, according to AHPL Managing Director, Scott Swift.... Read more
17-Jan-2013Source: Bond Air Services
Bond Air Services (Bond) is proud to announce that one of the two helicopter air ambulances it operates on behalf of the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) has reached 10,000 flying hours. The aircraft, a Eurocopter EC135T2i (registration G-SASA), reached this milestone transferring a maternity patient with abdominal pains from Cambeltown hospital to Crosshouse hospital in... Read more
17-Jan-2013Source: Clarinda Regional Health Center
Clarinda Regional Health Center’s (CRHC) helipad has been undergoing some renoavation to accommodate the new 24-hour Mercy One – Clarinda medical helicopter service. Updates include adding an on-site 6,000 gallon fuel tank, running water and electrical service, additional lighting, and fencing around both the helipad and the fuel tank. These additions are part of a... Read more
17-Jan-2013Source: NZ Herald
Almost $10,000 worth of specialist tools and 10kg of copper cabling has been stolen from the hangar used by the organisation behind the Northland Electricity rescue helicopter. (see news story)... Read more
16-Jan-2013Source: Uralhelicom
[electronic translation] At the end of December 2012 “Ural helicopter company – URALHELICOM» send to the client first Russian EC135T2 helicopter, Eurocopter in the medical version. Customer helicopter was government of Krasnodar region in the face of KSU QC “Kubanavia” in preparation for the Winter Olympic Games 2014 in Sochi. In addition, the new helicopter... Read more
16-Jan-2013Source: The Courier
Over the next five years, Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) will receive an annual donation of £20,000 – helping it move closer to its ambitious £1.5 million target (see full story)... Read more
15-Jan-2013Source: Snowy Hydro SouthCare
Canberra and the region’s local rescue helicopter service is fast approaching a milestone of 5,000 missions in its 15th year of operation. Snowy Hydro SouthCare expects to perform its 5,000th mission before the end of January. Since 1998 the Snowy Hydro SouthCare Aero-Medical Rescue Helicopter has been serving the ACT and surrounding region, extending as... Read more
14-Jan-2013Source: London's Air Ambulance
London’s Air Ambulance, the Charity that delivers an advanced trauma team to critically injured people in London, is delighted to announce the appointment of Graham Hodgkin to the role of Chief Executive Officer. He joins at an exciting time of rapid transition for the Charity and will lead the service through its next stages of... Read more
13-Jan-2013Source: HeliHub.com
The Boston Globe reported Friday that Boston MedFlight, a not-for-profit organization that provides critical care transport service, is to replace one of its three helicopters with a new EC145. Delivery is slated for August 2013. The report does not state which helicopter is being replaced, but Boston MedFlight currently operate the following rotary wing aircraft:-... Read more
13-Jan-2013Source: MedEvac Foundation
The MedEvac Foundation International is pleased to announce funding provisions for three key research and education grants in emergency medical transport totaling $47,250. The Foundation awards grants through a competitive application and review process. Dr. Stephen Thomas from the OU Schusterman Center in Oklahoma will be supported in his Collaborative Statewide Education Program on Patient... Read more
11-Jan-2013Source: Newton County Times
Boone County base flight nurse Lee Bailey recently completed his 1500th flight for Air Evac Lifeteam (see full story)... Read more
10-Jan-2013Source: SICL
After 5 years sponsoring Yorkshire Air Ambulance SICL has committed to a further 5 years and increased the donation. SICL has provided the YAA Charity with corporate sponsorship including free-of-charge IT support, services and infrastructure for the last five years but it has now re-committed until 2018 and increased the level of sponsorship. The YAA has long been SICL’s... Read more
9-Jan-2013Source: US Army
During the course of the last several months, two medevac companies in Task Force Hammerhead have participated in a trial program developed by the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade that enables flight medics to administer blood products to wounded Soldiers during the Soldiers’ en-route flight care and movement to a medical facility. The 3-25th General Support... Read more
9-Jan-2013Source: East Texas Medical Center
The East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System unveiled today two new emergency transport helicopters, valued at over $9 million, to provide patients in East Texas with critical, fast access to the region’s only level 1 trauma center at ETMC Tyler. The Eurocopter, EC135 P2+ helicopters will be stationed at ETMC Tyler and Titus Regional... Read more
8-Jan-2013Source: CBC
Lighting upgrades on the helipad at Charlottetown’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital are now complete. It means the helipad is now available day and night. (see full story)... Read more
7-Jan-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Specialist Aviation Services have imported a pair of MD Explorers from California, which have been purchased from EMS operator CALSTAR. The two have been registered as G-HMDX and G-KSSA and are serials 900-00121 (previously N902RN) and 900-00123 (previously N902CS) respectively. G-HMDX is for Magpas Helimedix, a more recent addition to the UK EMS scene. Magpas... Read more
7-Jan-2013Source: ÖAMTC
On average, about every 34 minutes 2012 to the injured and ill patients was treated by an emergency physician the ÖAMTC Air Ambulance. Overall, the emergency helicopter launched to 15,589 operations. More than 500 specially trained paramedics, air ambulance of the Red Cross, the mountain rescue and the Vienna Ambulance and 48 pilots ensured a comprehensive emergency... Read more
7-Jan-2013Source: www.flyatnight.info
Night flights are challenging. Visual information about the flight environment is greatly reduced as compared to daytime flying and is largely dependent on the amount of celestial illumination encountered throughout the flight. It is therefore of significant importance for the night pilot to know exactly when darkness falls, and if some level of illumination in... Read more
7-Jan-2013Source: Fox11
With a multi-million dollar life-saving tool sitting in the hanger at Theda Clark Hospital, it’s vital for flight crews to know when to use the ThedaStar helicopter and when they have to just say no. (see full story)... Read more
7-Jan-2013Source: Ornge
Ornge, Ontario’s provider of air ambulance and related services is further improving accountability and transparency by introducing a whistleblower policy. “We are truly committed to continuous improvement at Ornge, and that means everyone should feel free to come forward with concerns, without fear of reprisal,” said Ron McKerlie, Interim President and CEO of Ornge. “Our... Read more
6-Jan-2013Source: American Eurocopter
American Eurocopter announced today that Geisinger Health System, in Danville, Penn. has ordered a fifth EC145 for its Life Flight® program. The new helicopter acquisition is part of Geisinger’s fleet modernization and upgrade plan based on the proven and popular EC145 platform. Geisinger Life Flight is a long-time Eurocopter operator and in 1983 became the... Read more
6-Jan-2013Source: London’s Air Ambulance
Coutts has exceeded its annual target of raising £50,000 for this year’s chosen charity, London’s Air Ambulance. Coutts’ Products, Services & Marketing team dug deep to raise more than double last year’s charity donation, culminating in a grand total of £51,705.60. Numerous fundraising activities were organised throughout the last twelve months, including comedy nights, a... Read more
4-Jan-2013Source: DRF
[electronic translation] On time of the year the Berlin Air Rescue helicopter of the HDM is profit limited the future of wireless technology available, “Christoph Berlin” is now included in the digital radio for authorities and organizations with security tasks (BOS). Thus the current analog radio has been replaced. “The new digital radio offers us in... Read more
4-Jan-2013Source: Prince George Citizen
“a trauma surgeon flying around in a helicopter, but it just doesn’t sound very realistic or geared towards patient care,” says the provincial president of the Ambulance Paramedics of BC (see full story)... Read more
4-Jan-2013Source: LifeTeam
A local press report confirms that LifeTeam from Kansas have this week launched operations from Central Nebraska Regional Airport with a Bell LongRanger IV helicopter [editor note, N45EA, serial 51104]. The following is text of a LifeTeam press release from May 2012 when they announced their plans:- When faced with a medical emergency, Nebraska residents... Read more
3-Jan-2013Source: Douglas County Sentinel
The base is being temporarily housed at Tanner Medical Center while company officials seek a permanent location. (see full story)... Read more
3-Jan-2013Source: Queensland Government
Increased funding for community-based emergency helicopter operators has been granted as the Newman Government considers plans for lasting change in their financial support. A new funding model for these essential services is detailed in the Summary Report of the Review of Aeromedical Helicopter Services in Queensland – November 2012, released for consultation by Health Minister... Read more
3-Jan-2013Source: Contra Costa Times
As part of the city’s ongoing measures to address budget difficulties, officials have negotiated a new contract for their Air Ambulance program. (see full story)... Read more
3-Jan-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Wednesday 2nd January saw a bad start to 2013 with no fewer than four helicopter accidents in the US already recorded on the HeliHub.com accident pages. Two of these were EMS helicopters, a Med-Trans Bell 407 in Iowa and an Air Methods EC130 in Oklahoma. The former occurred after night fall and took the lives... Read more
2-Jan-2013Source: KSL
In choosing a new helicopter, the team took test rides up to Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort, fully loaded with crew, equipment and fuel, said pilot Jeff Dansie. (see full story)... Read more
2-Jan-2013Source: HeliHub.com
As we launch into 2013, HeliHub.com is proud to announce that we filed no fewer than 3,432 news stories in 2012. This averages around 14 stories per working day, and with the rate increasing towards the end of the year, the total for 2013 is expected to be a step-change higher. We are already clear... Read more
1-Jan-2013Source: NEMSPA
The National EMS Pilots Association (NEMSPA) Board of Directors announced their annual work session will be held in late January in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Board of Directors, made up of 12 members will spend time working together to be the voice of the air medical pilot. “With many issues and challenges facing the... Read more
1-Jan-2013Source: American Eurocopter
Air Methods Corp., the U.S. largest operator of helicopters for emergency air medical transport services, has placed an order with American Eurocopter Corp. for 22 new helicopters valued at more than $80 million. With the order Air Methods, based in Englewood, Colo., continues to equip its fleet with new aircraft incorporating the latest in safety... Read more
