Guardian Mobility recently announced plans to roll out a new variant of its G4 flight tracking product with dual mode (Satellite and Cellular) capabilities. Guardian Mobility Business Development Manager Ken Stewart confirmed the company is testing a system that could benefit operators with metropolitan-bound missions. Metro Aviation announced the acquisition of Guardian Mobility during Heli-Expo… Read more »
As a leader in air medical transport across Quebec, Airmedic continues to grow thanks to the purchase of three new fully equipped EC145e helicopters. The company will rely on the expertise of Airbus, a global leader in aeronautics, and the know-how of Metro Aviation, who will be in charge of the aircrafts’ interior configuration for… Read more »
As a leading completion center for the EC135/H135, Metro Aviation became the first to STC a medical interior for Airbus’ H135 T3H variant with Helionix. Outfitted for STAT MedEvac, the STC includes aspects of Metro’s standard air medical package with equipment standardized and modernized to match the program’s existing fleet of aircraft. The two-decade-long relationship between… Read more »
HELP Flight celebrates this month its 40th anniversary of responding to emergencies in south-central Montana. The air ambulance service run out of St. Vincent Healthcare has spent four decades taking to the sky to help Montanans in their times of need. Providing what can be life-saving care while in the air requires a very specific… Read more »
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued a U.S. Approval Certificate to Metro Aviation as a Part-145 maintenance organization. EASA is responsible for the certification of aircraft in the European Union (EU) and for some European non-EU countries. “With the addition of this rating, we will be able to better support repair approval… Read more »
HealthNet Aeromedical Services, a statewide hospital-based program headquartered in Charleston, West Virginia, announced an order for one EC145e helicopter from Metro Aviation as part of the program’s latest fleet expansion. Metro expects to deliver the light-to-medium twin helicopter from its Shreveport-based completion center in the summer of 2020. “HealthNet Aeromedical Services and our sponsoring academic… Read more »
FlightSafety International and Metro Aviation celebrate five years of delivering training for single and multi-engine helicopters using Level D qualified simulators in Shreveport, Louisiana. “We are pleased to celebrate five years of training in Level D qualified simulators for single and multi-engine helicopters at the Metro Aviation Training Center in Shreveport, Louisiana,” said David Davenport,… Read more »
Metro Aviation announced the delivery of the first Single/Dual Pilot Instrument Flight Rules-capable Airbus EC145e to GundersenAIR in Lacrosse, Wisconsin. “Having IFR capabilities assures that we are providing our crews and our patients with the utmost safety and technology and we are grateful to Metro Aviation for the painstaking and meticulous work they have done… Read more »
Metro recently outfitted an H125 for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office based in Tampa, Fla. “This Airbus H125 aircraft and Metro Aviation’s designed and installed mission package represents a significant increase in capabilities for our unit and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office,” said Jason Doyle, the chief pilot for Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. “The staff… Read more »
The next-generation H160 is debuting a new air medical interior concept at this year’s Heli Expo trade show, with a cabin-mock up on the Airbus Helicopters booth completed by Metro Aviation. Metro, a longstanding partner of Airbus, developed this specific cabin concept design with needs of North American air medical operations in mind. “At Metro… Read more »
Metro Aviation continues to reinforce its presence in the helicopter industry with an interactive booth display at HELI-EXPO from March 4-7, 2019, in Atlanta, Ga. The booth will include two mission-ready, EMS helicopters: one from Wake Forest Baptist Health and the other from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Metro Aviation aims to highlight the configuration opportunities… Read more »
Metro Aviation continues to expand its services with the recent purchase of Guardian Mobility, a Canadian-based provider of solutions for global tracking, voice and data communications, flight data monitoring (FDM) and analytics services. Guardian’s G4 product provides global, real-time user tracking and two-way messaging in one device, and brings with it the added benefit of… Read more »
Metro Aviation is pleased to welcome Stewart Corbin to the team as he steps into a new role as Customer Communication Center Training Manager. Within the same vein of Metro’s Transport Business Services and Customer Revenue Cycle Support, Stewart will provide yet another value-added service to Metro’s operations customers. “Stewart will provide industry-leading training at our customers’ communication… Read more »
Metro delivered a newly completed H135 for a partnership between Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center’s DHART program and the University of Vermont Medical Center’s Health Network Critical Care Transport Team. This helicopter boasts a distinct paint job, wrapped in branding from each program. The design mirrors DHART’s customary design, while the color scheme demonstrates the collaboration with UVM…. Read more »
Metro Aviation recently revealed the final H125 configuration for authorities located in Mendoza, Argentina. Mendoza dignitaries accepted the aircraft on behalf of its police force, which received two H125 models from Metro Aviation. The Shreveport, Louisiana-based completion center outfitted the helicopters with a Bambi Bucket for Fire Fighting, upgraded avionics systems and a premium paint… Read more »
PAC International, a Metro Aviation company, recently delivered three refurbished Airbus EC135P2+ helicopters to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center’s AirCare Program. Metro Aviation recently became the air operator for the 3-base program. The aircraft interior components were refurbished to include crew and medical attendant seats, all storage pouches, and complete reconditioning of the Metro EMS… Read more »
Metro Aviation has always been committed to safety and through its Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) program, utilizing Outerlink IRIS FDM (flight data monitoring), the company is able to serve its customers with the highest degree of oversight, control and confidence that risk is reduced to the lowest possible point and safety and standardization are… Read more »
Metro Aviation recognized customer recipients of the Association of Air Medical Services Community Awards and those celebrating service milestones on Tuesday during its Annual Press Event at the 2018 Air Medical Transport Conference. The event highlighted AAMS Community Awards winners and programs celebrating 20 years or more of service. Customer AAMS Community Awards Include: David… Read more »
Airmedic, the only privately-owned air medical provider in Quebec, has committed to purchasing three Airbus EC145e aircraft from Metro Aviation. These will be the first EC145e models in Canada. “The EC145e fits a variety of mission profiles,” said Metro Aviation President Mike Stanberry. “It’s increased useful load and large cabin make it a great choice… Read more »
Metro Aviation will showcase the Airbus Helicopters EC145e capabilities during the Air Medical Transport Conference with the University of Utah Health’s AirMed helicopter. The helicopter will be displayed at Metro Aviation’s AMTC booth (#729), serving as a benchmark for the aircraft’s configuration possibilities. Conference attendees can witness first-hand the aircraft’s mission-specific gear tailored to Utah’s… Read more »
Metro Aviation recently delivered an H135 to Washington Hospital Center’s MedSTAR Transport program. The hospital partnered with Metro Aviation to customize the aircraft at Metro’s completion center in Shreveport, La. The H135 features a standard medical interior including various specialty add-ons including a Cardiosave mount for hemodynamic support and Outerlink’s IRIS – a system for… Read more »
In 1988, Ronald Reagan was President, shuttle Discovery led the space program back into flight nearly three years after the Challenger disaster, and, on the local front, Brevard County’s first and only air ambulance program debuted. This year marks 30 years of Health First’s First Flight — the Integrated Delivery Network’s (IDN) mobile medical unit… Read more »
Metro Aviation recently delivered the first EC145e from one of its largest commercial helicopter orders to the University of Utah Health AirMed program. Metro’s completion center, located in Shreveport, Louisiana, outfitted the lightweight helicopter with mission-specific gear tailored to hot environments, high altitude conditions and avalanche rescues. Additionally, the aircraft features standard air ambulance equipment,… Read more »
Each year the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce hosts the J. Pat Beaird Industry and Top Businesses of the Year awards, with the support of our sponsors, the Forum, Chase Bank and the J. Pat Beaird Memorial Fund. “The Chamber is proud to announce that our Industry of the Year Award recipient this year will… Read more »
Visitors to Troy have been watching the progress as the new Kettering hospital Troy location has been rising from the former Hobart property at the corners of West Main, Elm, and Water streets. As construction progresses, Kettering Health Network is excited to let residents know of some of the services that will be available at… Read more »
Cooper University Health Care has expanded its life-saving air medical transport service to the South Jersey community with the addition of a new helicopter. Cooper has been providing this vital service to residents of Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem counties since 2010. The new helicopter, Cooper 2, is based out of… Read more »
The University of Vermont Medical Center is taking to the sky thanks to a new partnership with the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center’s DHART helicopter. “It could often take three or four hours to get a sick patient from upstate rural New York to the UVM Medical Center, so the capabilities of flight really will help,” said… Read more »
Chicago’s only hospital-based medical flight program began flying a more advanced helicopter this month. The Airbus EC145 replaces the University of Chicago Aeromedical Network (UCAN)’s Dauphin N model helicopter, which has been in use since 1990. The retiring helicopter has transported more than 13,000 patients across the region during its tenure at the University of Chicago Medicine…. Read more »
Metro Aviation is attending the Airborne Public Safety Aviation Conference (APSCON) July 11-13 and exhibiting the first of two new H125 aircraft the company recently completed for Broward County Sheriff’s Office (BSO). The NVG-compatible aircraft is equipped with the Garmin G500H electronic flight display system, Cobham RT-7000 airborne tactical radio, special operations platform with external… Read more »
The Airborne Public Safety Conference (APSCON) from 9 to 11 July in Louisville, KY, marks the site for the debut of Kopter’s SH09 multi-mission helicopter in an advanced public safety configuration engineered for Kopter by Metro Aviation in Shreveport, LA. Known primarily for their expertise in air-medical completions, Metro Aviation has expanded their proficiency in… Read more »
Metro Aviation recently completed a 2017 H145 for Avera Careflight in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This is the second aircraft Metro has completed for the program at its completion center in Shreveport, Louisiana. “Metro has been a partner of ours for several years,” said Jeff Musilek, Director of Maintenance for Careflight at Avera McKennan Hospital… Read more »
Metro Aviation is pleased to announce Brian Bihler as the new Rotor Wing Chief Pilot and Alan VanDoren as the new Assistant Chief Pilot. Bihler joined Metro Aviation in 2009 and has served in the positions of HAA Pilot, Instructor, Check Airmen, Regional Training Manager, and most recently, as Assistant Chief Pilot. Prior to his… Read more »
Use of the Precise Flight Inc. Pulselite System is a significant factor in reducing the number of bird strikes with aircraft, a new study conducted by Metro Aviation has found. Precise Flight, based in Bend, Oregon, developed the Pulselite System in 1984, and it has since been installed on over 25,000 aircraft – both fixed-… Read more »
Metro Aviation recently delivered a completed EC145e to Hartford Hospital LIFE STAR, a critical care program based in Hartford, Connecticut. The aircraft’s price point and large cabin appealed to the VFR program that transports about 1,000 patients each year. “It’s important that we standardize our fleet and the EC145e is a great addition,” said Dr…. Read more »
Metro Aviation recently delivered a completed H125 to the Government of Jujuy Province in Argentina. The multi-mission aircraft will be utilized for firefighting, air medical transportation and various civil patrol and ground support activities. Jujuy’s H125 is equipped with a cargo swing, quick release cargo basket, Bambi bucket, rescue hoist, removable litter kit and law… Read more »
Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center’s AirCare, a hospital-based air medical program, is the newest member of the Metro Aviation family, joining other North Carolina Metro Aviation programs Vidant EastCare and Mountain Area Medical Airlift (MAMA). In a matter of six months, Metro Aviation procured and refurbished three Airbus EC135P2+ helicopters for the AirCare program. Metro… Read more »
Metro Aviation provides MetroAlert, a smartphone application that facilitates rapid communication from the field for an emergency helicopter transport, to its operations customers free of charge. Since introducing the app, Metro has dedicated a team of developers to increasing its functionality and introducing several customer-suggested features. Recently, Metro rolled out one of the biggest updates… Read more »
On his first day at Metro Aviation, Kenny Morrow began his morning by getting kicked out of the Managing Director’s office. Nearly 23 years later, Kenny is celebrating his promotion to Chief Operating Officer. “Metro has always sought to promote from within so that people with the desire and ability to advance and excel can… Read more »
The Metro Aviation leadership team continues proving its commitment to safety with the investment of time and resources into training, data mining and operational oversight. Since receiving approval for its Flight Operations Quality Assurance program in the summer of 2017, Metro has increased its flight data monitoring-equipped aircraft to reflect nearly 65 percent of its… Read more »
Airbus Helicopters Inc. announced Tuesday that Metro Aviation Inc. had ordered an unprecedented 25 EC145e helicopters that it will place into service providing air medical transport and other aerial services. It is one of the larger commercial helicopter orders ever booked by the U.S. based company. Metro was the first customer in the world for… Read more »
Metro Aviation will display Seminole County Sheriff Office’s H125 at the Helicopter Association International HELI-EXPO February 26 – March 1 in Las Vegas, Nevada. This multi-mission law enforcement aircraft is equipped with essential mission-specific gear including a cargo hook for sling work, Bambi Bucket for fire suppression and a hoist for rescue operations. The H125… Read more »
This year marks 35 years of a commitment to safety, quality and customer service for Metro Aviation, a privately-owned, traditional air medical operator. The company has enjoyed a long tradition of innovation and “firsts” in the industry, and it currently operates more than 140 aircraft for 35 air medical programs across the United States. Metro… Read more »
Aerios Global is the first South African company to train at the Helicopter Flight Training Center (HFTC) in Shreveport, Louisiana, and says they will be back annually. The offshore and land-based helicopter services company, stationed in Cape Town, currently operates a variety of aircraft including an EC120, AS350, AS365 and the newest addition, the EC145. … Read more »
Metro Aviation recently delivered an EC155 to Penn State Health. The new Life Lion is a previously owned corporate aircraft that was purchased from Malaysia. Metro refurbished the 2011 aircraft and converted the interior to a medical configuration, which will provide more space to carry additional specialty crewmembers than the program’s current fleet of AS365… Read more »
It is said that a group doesn’t necessarily constitute a team. At Mission Health, there are more than 12,000 of us who are far more than just a group of employees, we are a team, a family. We are people who strive together in various capacities in the common purpose of caring for the residents… Read more »
The Helicopter Flight Training Center, a Metro Aviation company, has expanded its international reach to New Zealand. The Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand recognized and approved the new EC145 Level D simulator training provided to HeliOtago, the country’s largest helicopter operator based at Taieri Airfield in Mosgiel, Otago. Authorities from the FAA, Argentina and… Read more »
The Helicopter Flight Training Center, a Metro Aviation company, has expanded its international reach to New Zealand. The Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand recognized and approved the new EC145 Level D simulator training provided to HeliOtago, the country’s largest helicopter operator based at Taieri Airfield in Mosgiel, Otago. Authorities from the FAA, Argentina and… Read more »
Air ambulance on training flight. Crash shortly after take off, killing the pilot. No patients or medical crew were on board. Pilot named as Michael Murphy
Metro Aviation introduced its Leadership Education, Advancement and Development (LEAD) conference in 2016 to help its partners navigate the business side of air medical operations. Realizing that many program directors are clinicians and not business majors, Metro’s management team developed the event to help fill the gaps between medical knowledge and business management, and equip… Read more »
While in cruise flight at 3000 MSL, a “loud bang” was heard with a secondary “loud rushing” noise. The pilot verified no flight control or system malfunction and initiated a precautionary landing to nearest suitable landing area. After landing, a post-flight inspection revealed a broken copilot chin bubble with bird remains. No occupant was seated… Read more »
$5 million has been awarded to the family of Stacey Cernadas, a flight nurse who was killed in a Haynes LifeFlight helicopter crash in South Alabama. Metro Aviation has not admitted to any wrongdoing, as part of the settlement, reports AL. The crash occurred on 26 March, 2016. Three others that were killed were Pilot… Read more »
N914ET was on the return trip back to their base when they had a bird strike. They diverted to a local airport to do a precautionary landing and check for damages. No injuries were associated with this incident. There was no damage noted by the pilot or crew. The aircraft returned to base without further… Read more »
Since introducing the EC145e at HELI-EXPO in 2015, Metro Aviation has worked toward obtaining additional Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) to cover the spectrum of what customers may need for the aircraft. Metro, with Genesys Aerosystems, recently received an STC for the installation of the Genesys Aerosystems Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) on the EC145e (BK117… Read more »
As part of the new Outerlink IRIS system, a full suite of software has been released to provide everything from global tracking and Push-To-Talk Radio to a user-friendly Flight Data Monitoring application. Where the IRIS system provides virtual live connection to the cockpit, the new IRIS Console gives customers a web-based software tool that displays… Read more »
Metro Aviation has enjoyed a relationship with South America since the early 1990’s, but recently increased its presence with a conference for several Argentina provinces and the delivery of two aircraft, one for Brazil and one for Argentina. Metro hosted officials from the Argentina provinces of Buenos Aires, Chaco, Cordoba, Mendoza, Misiones, Tierra del Fuego… Read more »
Since introducing the EC145e at HELI-EXPO in 2015, Metro Aviation has worked toward obtaining additional Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) to cover the spectrum of what customers may need for the aircraft. Metro, with Genesys Aerosystems, recently received an STC for the installation of the Genesys Aerosystems Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) on the EC145e (BK117… Read more »
Metro Aviation began in 1982 as a helicopter charter, flight training and maintenance operation. Today, it is the largest air medical completion center in the world and operates more than 140 aircraft for 36 programs across the United States. This year, the company celebrates its 35th anniversary and is reflecting on its strong heritage and… Read more »
The Metro companies will exhibit at HELI-EXPO in Dallas, Texas this year and unveil a new booth in honor of Metro Aviation’s 35th Anniversary. Metro Aviation, PAC International, Outerlink Global Solutions and the Helicopter Flight Training Center make up the Metro companies, a well-rounded brand meeting the needs of the helicopter industry. Metro began in… Read more »
Mountain Area Medical Airlift (MAMA) was the first civilian EMS helicopter service in the U.S. to use Night Vision Goggles (NVG). Metro Aviation was the first air medical operator to equip its entire fleet with NVG’s. Innovation attracts innovation and it only makes sense that the two companies would eventually work together. Metro recently welcomed… Read more »
Metro Aviation has experienced steady growth over the last 35 years, but has remained committed to supporting its existing customers first and foremost. That commitment has led to three new employees over the past two years that serve to directly support Metro’s family of operations customers. Metro is proud to welcome Holly Weber as the… Read more »
The CommLab at the Helicopter Flight Training Center provides a hands-on environment for communication specialists. Training includes both inter-facility and scene transfers, multiple aircraft requests, map reading, flight following and more. Several communication centers have realized the immense benefits of the CommLab and are planning to send their communication specialists to classes in 2017. The… Read more »
Metro Aviation announced Lee Johnston as the new Regional Aviation Manager for the Midwest region. Lee has been an EMS Pilot since 2001, joining Metro Aviation in 2011 as a lead pilot and then site manager for MedFlight of Ohio. He has over 4,200 hours of flight experience, holds an FAA Airframe and Powerplant certificate,… Read more »
Metro Aviation welcomes West Michigan Air Care (WMAC) to the Metro family with the delivery of an EC145e and assumption of operations of the Kalamazoo-based air medical program beginning September 1. Until now, WMAC has operated under their own Part 135 certificate, but contracted with Metro to allow staff to solely focus on the excellent level… Read more »
Metro Aviation welcomes West Michigan Air Care (WMAC) to the Metro family with the delivery of an EC145e and assumption of operations of the Kalamazoo-based air medical program beginning September 1. “West Michigan Air Care has provided quality service since 1993, and we are happy to help them continue their legacy,” said Metro President Mike… Read more »
The Frasca Bell 407 Level 7 flight training device at the Helicopter Flight Training Center (HFTC) is now FAA-certified as a B407GX with NVG capabilities. The new certification allows the training center to take the cockpit from analog to glass, a change that will occur about once a month for students flying Bell 407GX aircraft…. Read more »
As an air medical operator, Metro Aviation relies heavily on the operational control center (OCC) to monitor its activity in real-time, confirm flight crew qualifications and airworthiness of aircraft and to communicate with pilots and communication specialists across the country. Managing the OCC requires attention to detail, a high level of organization and a wealth… Read more »
Metro Aviation operates more than 120 air medical aircraft across the country. With an average of 230 flight requests each day, the company’s Operational Control Center (OCC) is a constant hub of activity. The air medical operator originally contracted with Complete Flight in 2015 to transition into digital record keeping using the Complete Flight IOS… Read more »
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (Children’s) flies more than 30,000 miles annually in Georgia’s only dedicated pediatric helicopter. They recently updated their capabilities with the world’s first EC145e, completed by Metro Aviation. The EC145e retains the power, performance and reliability of the legacy EC145, but with a useful load of up to 300 pounds more than… Read more »
Metro Aviation has delivered two Airbus Helicopters H135 (P3) aircraft to California Shock Trauma Air Rescue (CALSTAR), the first of five H135 air medical transport helicopters the operator ordered last year. CALSTAR is the first U.S. customer for this significantly improved and updated variant of the most popular twin-engine helicopter chosen by air medical transport… Read more »
Gundersen Health System is starting a trial on 1st June to see whether the move is feasible in the long term. No helicopter type has been mentioned. Their MedLink Air program serves La Crosse, Wisconsin and surrounding areas within a 150-mile radius, including communities through the tri-state region of western Wisconsin, northeastern Iowa and southeastern… Read more »
Metro Aviation, a worldwide aircraft completion leader, recently delivered a one-of-a-kind helicopter to the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. The Airbus H125 (formerly the AS350) will serve as a unique observation platform to provide the scientific community with the capability to make unprecedented observations about the earth’s climate system and… Read more »
Metro Aviation became the first North American customer for the EC145e when it contracted to purchase six helicopters and launched an extensive demo tour of the new lighter weight, lower cost version of the highly successful EC145. Metro recently identified Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta as the launch customer for the 145e and says they are… Read more »
Students at Airline High School are getting an opportunity even some college students don’t get. In a first of its kind partnership in Louisiana, Metro Aviation, Inc. has partnered with the Airline High JROTC aviation program to assist students in getting their wings and help their professional careers take flight. Impressed with Airline’s high school… Read more »
Joseph “Woody” Woodard grew up in Kettering, Ohio, and like many high school seniors he was trying to decide what he wanted to do with his life. He became interested in becoming a helicopter pilot after seeing an Army recruiting poster. “I went to flight school at Fort Wolters, Texas, and Fort Rucker, Ala., in… Read more »
Metro Aviation is committed to their customers’ success and is expanding their value-added services with the hiring of a second Director of Transport Business Services. This additional position will further provide the necessary support for Metro’s operational customers in order to continuously improve their operational and financial success. Metro is welcoming Becky Ross to the… Read more »
