29-Jun-2016Source: HELP Appeal
Today marks the launch of a new state-of-the-art helipad, at the Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, with funding over £1 million from the HELP Appeal – the only charity in the country dedicated to delivering helicopter landing pads at all Major Trauma Centres and key A&E hospitals across England and Scotland. The site is now fully... Read more
29-Jun-2016Source: NEMSPA
As the announcement on the Home Page of the NEMSPA website says, “Each year the National EMS Pilots Association accepts nominations from the nation’s air medical transport community to recognize an EMS Pilot who stands out in the areas of Professionalism, Technical Knowledge, Leadership and dedication to Safety. We invite anyone in the air medical... Read more
28-Jun-2016Source: EHAC
“People in medical emergencies – aren’t they our most important motivation?” asked the President of EHAC Stefan Becker at the beginning of the symposium of the European HEMS and Air Ambulance Committee (EHAC). More than 50 experts from all parts of Europe discussed the situation and further development of air rescue from 15-16 June 2016... Read more
23-Jun-2016
The accompanying photo is the first published image of the new AgustaWestland AW169 for Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance in the UK. This aircraft will replace an MD902 Explorer at their base on the old RAF Waddington military base. Currently being flown on the Italian test registration I-RAIS, the intended British registration G-LNAC is visible. ... Read more
23-Jun-2016Source: Rega
The Swiss Air Rescue Rega has been certified by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) at the end of May 2016, an approval which is valid for three years. Rega is the first European organization that has been certified for medical helicopter and for medically escorted repatriations. “We believe that the verification... Read more
22-Jun-2016Source: STARS
The Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service (STARS) is the first air medical program in Canada to begin stocking blood in advance for life-saving transfusions. Manitoba Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living, Kelvin Goertzen visited the STARS Winnipeg base today to announce the new service offered by STARS in Manitoba. “A prompt response can mean... Read more
20-Jun-2016Source: Leonardo
Leonardo-Finmeccanica announced today with its distributor Kaigai Corporation of Japan that Kagoshima International Aviation has placed an order for a second AgustaWestland GrandNew light twin engine helicopter to perform emergency medical service (EMS) missions in Kagoshima Prefecture. The aircraft is expected to enter service in the autumn of 2016. This latest purchase is part of... Read more
19-Jun-2016Source: Helinet
Two helicopters from Helinet Aviation Services will participate in the American Heroes Air Show on Saturday, June 18, at Hansen Dam in the San Fernando Valley. The show is the nation’s premier, helicopter-only, admission-free aviation event designed to demonstrate to the public, media and community officials the vital and diverse roles of rotary aviation. American... Read more
17-Jun-2016Source: REACH
REACH Air Medical Services LLC (“REACH”) and CALIFORNIA SHOCK TRAUMA AIR RESCUE (“CALSTAR”), two of the preeminent air medical ambulance providers in Northern and Central California for three decades, are entering into an agreement that will place CALSTAR within the same corporate holding company as REACH (“REACH Medical Holdings LLC”). In a joint announcement, REACH... Read more
17-Jun-2016Source: Wales Air Ambulance
Wales Air Ambulance has moved into the charity’s first owned home, after a 12-month project to build a new headquarters and airbase for its South Wales operation. The service has transferred the EC135 from its previous southern base at Swansea Airport and fundraising staff to a purpose-built facility at Llanelli Gate, Dafen and aircrews have... Read more
15-Jun-2016Source: Ochsner
Singing River Health System and Ochsner Health System today announced a new partnership that will bring lifesaving helicopter transportation to the Gulf Coast area. Effective today, the Ochsner Flight Care Program, operated by Med-Trans Corporation, will base a helicopter at Ocean Springs Hospital and will be available to provide emergency air transport for critically ill... Read more
15-Jun-2016Source: HeliHub.com
The Air Ambulance Service (TAAS) has recently confirmed the completion of its 25,000th mission, a massive achievement. In reaching this total, it has three AgustaWestland AW109 helicopters and night support by road. No figure has been released for how many of the 25,000 missions were by road, and how many by air. The landmark call... Read more
14-Jun-2016Source: Bucher
After the successful commissioning of the first five H145 helicopters with HEMS equipment from Bucher, DRF Luftrettung has now placed an order for two more AC70 HEMS kits. The innovative equipment has been designed and developed in close cooperation with users. The ergonomic and flexible design of the equipment is very popular in the market.... Read more
14-Jun-2016Source: HELP Appeal
The emergency helicopter landing pad at Western Isles Hospital in Stornoway has had a state-of-the-art upgrade thanks to a £40,000 donation from the HELP (Helicopter Emergency Landing Pads) Appeal – the only charity in the UK dedicated to funding the construction of hospital helipads. NHS Western Isles received the surprise cash injection from the HELP... Read more
13-Jun-2016Source: AMGH
Air Medical Group Holdings (AMGH), a leading U.S. provider of air medical transport services, has ordered new Airbus Helicopters H130s to launch the first-ever dedicated helicopter emergency medical services operation in India. AMGH has joined forces with an Indian firm, Aviators Air Rescue, and will initiate emergency medical services later this year. The new venture... Read more
9-Jun-2016Source: FAA
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is working with commercial airlines and pilots’ unions to improve mental health evaluations, and encourage voluntary reporting of pilot mental health issues. An Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) comprised of aviation and medical experts has made several recommendations about pilot medical fitness. “Safety is always our first... Read more
8-Jun-2016Source: Ornge
Ornge, Ontario’s provider of air ambulance and related services, took first place at the 2016 Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP) Simulation Olympiad. This is the first time Ornge has participated in the competition. The team consisted of two Ornge Critical Care Flight Paramedics and two Physicians. “I was extremely proud to see the Ornge... Read more
8-Jun-2016Source: HELP
There have been over 280 air ambulance and search and rescue helicopter landings at Derriford Hospital since the helipad was opened in June 2015. Many of the patients have been involved in vehicle incidents or sustained falls. Before the helipad was built, the hospital had to settle for a grassy set-down area for air ambulances... Read more
7-Jun-2016Source: AW169
Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance Trust (KSSAAT) has taken delivery of their new AgustaWestland AW169, supplied under contract by Specialist Aviation Services. The helicopter will replace one of the two older MD902 helicopters currently in service and greatly increases the operational capacity of the life-saving service. Every year the specialist doctors and paramedics treat nearly... Read more
6-Jun-2016Source: Yorkshire Air Ambulance
Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust (YAS) has worked with the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) and commissioners to launch a new Yorkshire Critical Care Team which will see 11 consultants in emergency medicine and anaesthesia working on the life-saving helicopter 12 hours a day, every day of the year. The team will carry additional drugs as... Read more
3-Jun-2016Source: Police Aviation News
The June 2016 edition of Police Aviation News can be found here... Read more
2-Jun-2016Source: Air Methods
Air Methods announced that Peter Csapo will join America’s largest air medical provider and helicopter operator as chief financial officer (CFO). Csapo will begin his new role effective June 6, succeeding Trent Carman who will be stepping down from his role of more than 13 years. Csapo most recently served as chief financial officer and... Read more
2-Jun-2016Source: Honeywell
Honeywell has signed three new avionics protection plan agreements with Australian Helicopters, Toll Remote Logistics in Australia and SFS Aviation in Thailand. The three-year agreements cover a total of 17 helicopters under the Honeywell avionics protection plan, which include AgustaWestland AW139 and Sikorsky’s S-76 model. The Honeywell avionics protection plan offers commercial helicopters, business aviation... Read more
2-Jun-2016Source: REACH
The Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians and REACH Air Medical Services recently opened a new helicopter base on the Viejas Reservation. Helicopter services will provide life-saving medical support to local communities, as well as offer secondary support to REACH bases in San Diego, Imperial, and Riverside counties. “We value our partnership with REACH and we... Read more
31-May-2016Source: HeliHub.com
In recent years, Sanford AirMed in North Dakota has had to base their Airbus EC145 out of Fargo Airport due to the over-development of the hospital site. With the construction of the new Sanford Medical Center Fargo that will be reversed as it has been designed with a helipad on top of the ground ambulance... Read more
31-May-2016Source: HeliHub.com
Air ambulance operator Air Evac EMS Inc. has reportedly said it is owed $10 million by Arkansas Blue Cross & Blue Shield (ABCBS), for medical flights provided to policyholders. The company has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Little Rock last month to collect the money. The issue surrounds a payment cap of... Read more
27-May-2016Source: HeliHub.com
Mercy Flight Western New York have this week opened a new facility in Springville, behind the Bertrand Chaffee Hospital. The ribbon cutting and blessing ceremony was completed on Monday afternoon. The 3,600-square-foot hangar and Mercy EMS base is expected to improve response times by allowing the nonprofit organization to position its aircraft and crews closer... Read more
27-May-2016Source: HeliHub.com
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
24-May-2016Source: HeliHub.com
The Air Ambulance Service (TAAS) have confirmed to HeliHub.com that they are to add two AgustaWestland AW169s to their fleet, and both will be dedicated to their pediatric operation, known as The Children’s Air Ambulance (TCAA). One will be based in North and one in the South of England in order to provide a national... Read more
17-May-2016Source: Airbus
Airbus Helicopters will participate in the international helicopter industry exhibition HeliRussia 2016 held in Moscow on May 19-21. “Airbus Helicopters, as a leader with over 50% of the market share in the EMS segment, is ready to contribute to the development of the emerging market of emergency medical services in Russia,” said Emeric Lhomme, CEO... Read more
16-May-2016Source: AAMS
Mr. Jesse Laslovich, candidate for Montana state auditor, recently distributed an article, “Air ambulance flights add insult to injury,” suggesting air medical providers are the primary cause for the high cost of transporting critically ill patients. That position overlooks the insurance industry’s responsibility to cover their beneficiaries’ emergency medical needs. Simply put, some insurance companies... Read more
16-May-2016Source: STARS
STARS has flown more than 3,000 missions to more than 400 communities across Saskatchewan since it established operations in the province in 2012. The missions have been made possible with the help of STARS Lottery, which is now celebrating its fifth birthday. The lottery officially kicked off today with 2019 prizes valued at more than... Read more
13-May-2016Source: LCI
Lease Corporation International (LCI), the aviation leasing arm of the Libra Group, has delivered the first new AW139 helicopter to Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service based in Australia. The aircraft is currently en route and will arrive at Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service’s main base in Newcastle, New South Wales, in June to enable pilots along with... Read more
13-May-2016Source: Londons Air Ambulance
We have launched a photography competition calling on the public to submit photos of our helicopters and rapid response car fleet to fill our 2017 Charity Calendar. Money raised from the sale of the calendar will help us to deliver our advanced trauma team to critically injured people in London, and continue saving lives in... Read more
13-May-2016Source: HeliHub.com
Located in a rural area, Clay County Hospital is located in a less easiliy accessible area. As a critical access hospital, it focuses on common conditions and outpatient care, and frequently needs to refer patients with other conditions to other hospitals. In turn this means more than 100 Clay County helicopter transports per year, mostly... Read more
12-May-2016Source: HeliHub.com
Wales Air Ambulance (WAA) provides an airborne EMS service to Wales, part of the United Kingdom. At present they have three Airbus EC135s, and contract with Babcock MCS Onshore (ex Bond Air Services) for the provision of aircraft, pilots and so on. They operate from three bases to cover the area efficiently. Additionally, they have... Read more
12-May-2016Source: HeliHub.com
This post has been replaced by Babcock confirm Wales Air Ambulance to start night flying... Read more
10-May-2016Source: PHi
PHI, Inc. (The Nasdaq Global Market: PHII (voting) PHIIK (non-voting)) today reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2016. Consolidated operating revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2016 were $164.0 million, compared to $204.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, a decrease of $40.2 million. Oil and Gas... Read more
10-May-2016Source: HeliHub.com
Following an announcement in March that they would move a medical helicopter from Trenton to Chillicothe, Lifeflight Eagle have now had a new hangar approved. The Chillicothe City Council has approved an ordinance authorizing a lease for the hangar, which will be built on the southwest edge of the airport’s land, and will include living... Read more
10-May-2016Source: EHAAT
Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust (EHAAT) is to introduce a 24 hour day seven day week life-saving service via its Rapid Response Vehicles (RRVs) – it was announced today Trustees approved the decision at its latest Board Meeting in April (26.4.16) in order to meet its vision to provide the highest level of clinical... Read more
9-May-2016Source: HeliHub.com
Tomorrow 10th May 2016 at 3pm local time, the University of New Mexico Hospital’s Lifeguard Air Emergency Services, will launch its new helicopter service with the dedication of its newest emergency medical transport aircraft – an AgustaWestland AW119Kx Koala helicopter. The helicopter, owned by SevenBar Aviation, is equipped with medical-crisis treatment capabilities – blood reserves,... Read more
3-May-2016Source: Nova Scotia Health
A new Emergency Health Services (EHS) mobile critical care ground-transfer unit is now providing intensive care for EHS LifeFlight patients en route to Halifax hospitals. This unit was originally planned for launch later this year. It was moved up in response to a recent change in Transport Canada policy that prohibited the EHS LifeFlight helicopter... Read more
3-May-2016Source: Police Aviation News
The May 2016 edition of Police Aviation News can be found here... Read more
29-Apr-2016Source: Vanderbilt
In partnership with Cookeville Regional Medical Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) and Vanderbilt LifeFlight will soon be expanding its footprint to serve the Upper Cumberland region by adding an emergency helicopter base in Cookeville, Tennessee. Cookeville Regional Medical Center (CRMC) CEO Paul Korth said the addition of the helicopter is a “win-win” for everyone,... Read more
28-Apr-2016Source: Goldendale Sentinel
The helipad came with a price tag of about $190,000 that covered all its related expenses. And among the chief contributors paying that bill was the KVH Memorial Foundation, a non-profit organization created to assist the hospital through charitable and fundraising outreaches. See full story... Read more
27-Apr-2016Source: Nordic Rotors
Stockholm’s County Council has publicly announced that it has awarded a new contract for airborne emergency medical services in the Stockholm region to Scandinavian MediCopter. The new contract will be valid from 1 December 2017 to 30 November 2022, with an option to extend the period by two additional years. The decision comes after a... Read more
26-Apr-2016Source: Life Link III
Life Link III is pleased to announce that it has been awarded re-accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) for both its rotor wing and fixed wing services. The CAMTS accreditation status is one of the most prestigious industry designations that may be achieved and extends across the entire Life Link... Read more
26-Apr-2016Source: Global News
In a post on its Facebook page, STARS says a number of Albertans have received calls from someone claiming to be a STARS lottery representative telling the would-be victim they have won a prize, but in order to have it shipped to them they must first transfer a certain amount of money See full story... Read more
26-Apr-2016Source: Midwest Medair
Midwest Medair has announced their groundbreaking ceremony for the MedAir 1 helicopter hanger at Audubon County Airport, Audubon, Iowa, this Friday. Everyone welcome for pictures, meet & greet, and a small informational session. Midwest Medical Transport Company is also having an open house that day on Friday, April 29, from 9-11 and you are welcome... Read more
19-Apr-2016Source: Echo Net Daily
Health bureaucrats in charge of the new Byron Central Hospital have confirmed that the new $88m facility will not have a helipad. See full story... Read more
18-Apr-2016Source: Harrison Daily
Even though AirEvac has been using its helicopter base adjacent to North Arkansas Regional Medical Center on Main Street for about three months, it’s officially open now. See full story... Read more
15-Apr-2016Source: STARS
Many Albertans have cause to celebrate, following the announcement of the 2016 STARS lottery grand prize winners today. The lottery raised more than $11.5 million net for the non-profit, with 3,200 prizes worth more than $5.6 million retail. Lethbridge residents and Edmonton show home winners Ed and Marlene Grinnell were thrilled to learn they had... Read more
14-Apr-2016Source: Greenville Sun
Plans approved by the local planning commission on Tuesday call for the helicopter hangar and helipad to lie as close to the existing runway and taxiway as possible, limiting the need for the aircraft to fly over parked cars while landing at the airport. See full story... Read more
14-Apr-2016Source: EDA
Since the creation of the European Defence Agency in 2004, support to the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and to EU operations has been one of EDA’s core missions. Several activities are now ongoing to develop the support of CSDP military and civilian operations or missions as well as EU Battlegroups at the request... Read more
13-Apr-2016Source: STARS
In February, we issued a plea to Albertans. A stormy economic climate had led to slumping STARS lottery ticket sales, and it was in danger of not selling out for the first time in its 23-year history. The response from Albertans was overwhelming. Our phone lines were jammed and website traffic surged. Albertans from rural... Read more
11-Apr-2016Source: GNAA
The second series of Air Ambulance ER will broadcast at 9pm on Monday nights on Sky One. The show features the work of the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS), which operates across the North-East, North Yorkshire and Cumbria. Filming took place last summer at both the charity’s bases, at Durham Tees Valley Airport near Darlington and at Langwathby,... Read more
11-Apr-2016Source: StarFlight Australia
Two iconic aviation organisations have joined forces to officially launch Australia’s latest aviation company, StarFlight Australia, which features access to factory new, fully equipped and compliant Russian Kamov Ka-32A11BC helicopters for firefighting and AgustaWestland (Finmecannica Helicopters) range of helicopters for emergency medical service and search and rescue missions in Australasia. The joint venture company was... Read more
6-Apr-2016Source: London Air Ambulance
Four year old Ethan from Hornchurch is one of the lucky winners to name one of our helicopters. The winning name is ‘Rowan’ after his two year old sister. On a visit to our helipad at The Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel last week, Ethan and his sister got to see the chosen name. The... Read more
6-Apr-2016Source: REACH
The Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians and REACH Air Medical Services (REACH) recently opened a new helicopter base on the Viejas Reservation. Helicopter services will provide life-saving medical support to local communities, as well as offer secondary support to REACH bases in San Diego, Imperial, and Riverside counties. “We value our partnership with REACH and... Read more
4-Apr-2016Source: HeliHub.com
South Gloucestershire Council has reversed its approval for a new helicopter base in Almondsbury following a legal challenge. The heliport was planned to serve both the Great Western Air Ambulance and the National Police Air Service, whose helicopters are currently based at Filton Airfield. Filton, most famous for its role in the development of the... Read more
4-Apr-2016Source: West Briton
The new fundraising and volunteering building and the new clinical training room will certainly enhance the service that we offer to patients. While the medical team now has a dedicated area in which they concentrate on their studies, they can now accommodate more volunteers who raise vital funds to keep the air ambulance flying. See... Read more
3-Apr-2016Source: Police Aviation News
The April 2016 edition of Police Aviation News can be found here... Read more
1-Apr-2016Source: United Rotorcraft
United Rotorcraft today announced that the Bell 505 HEMS kit is on display in at FIDAE in Santiago, Chile until April 3, 2016. The HEMS kit, which can be found inside the Bell 505 mock-up at the Bell Chalet, includes a standard size litter with adjustable headrest that will be approved for taxi, take-off, and... Read more
30-Mar-2016Source: EHAAT
Thanks to the support of the people and businesses of Essex and Hertfordshire, the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust (EHAAT) has reached a milestone in its fundraising – enabling the charity to purchase its own helicopter for the first time in its 20 year history. Today (30 March 2016) Rob Forsyth, Chair of Trustees... Read more
30-Mar-2016Source: WDAZ
Judge Daniel Hovland of U.S. District Court in Bismarck ruled in favor of Valley Med Flight, which argued that the state was trying to usurp federal law in creating a primary air ambulance carrier list. See full story... Read more
30-Mar-2016Source: SCAA
A leisurely Easter weekend walk on the slopes of Schiehallion in Highland Perthshire turned into a full scale emergency, prompting the landmark 1,000th rapid response from Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA). The country’s only charity-funded helicopter air ambulance was scrambled from its base at Perth Airport when emergency services received a call to say a... Read more
29-Mar-2016Source: LifePort
LifePort, a Sikorsky company, amended its Bell 407 Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) to add the new Machined Stretcher, improved Oxygen Cylinder Mount, and new Utility Mount. This new product offering provides operators with increased capability and improved durability, including: 16% weight reduction over the previous composite AeroSled, which results in a savings of 9 pounds... Read more
29-Mar-2016Source: Airlift Northwest
Airlift Northwest, a Pacific Northwest air medical transport provider, announces the expansion of its services and capabilities in Eastern Washington with the addition of a state-of-the-art Pilatus PC-12 turboprop plane and a new helicopter to its Yakima base at McAllister Field. The plane goes into service today, March 21, 2016, and replaces Airlift Northwest’s AeroCommander... Read more
24-Mar-2016Source: Air Methods
Background – Voce Capital issued press releases as follows – each highly critical of the way Air Methods was being run and to demand a place on the Board September 2015 October 2015 February 2016 – to which Air Methods issued a response to the various points Voce raised, not acceding to any of them... Read more
23-Mar-2016Source: HeliHub.com
Hamad General Hospital, in Qatari capital of Doha, will expand its current operating theatre facility with a new surgical building and a newly constructed 800-car space multi-storey parking tower. The facility will offer 17 new surgical theatres with three additional specialist theaters as well as two interventional radiology suites. This facility will also feature dedicated... Read more
22-Mar-2016Source: CMUH
Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will receive over £1 million to help pay for the first hospital helipad in the city centre, the Chancellor announced in yesterday’s Budget. The £1.1million will go towards an existing appeal for £3.9m to build the landing pad and infrastructure at the Trust’s central Manchester hospitals site, where... Read more
22-Mar-2016Source: HeliHub.com
The government of the state of Galicia is reported to have cut flying hours for EMS helicopters in an apparent cost-cutting exercise, according to the locally based 20Minutos, among others. Traditionally, two helicopters have operated in daylight hours for the last 25 years, which gives at least 15 flying hours in mid-summer. However, it has... Read more
18-Mar-2016Source: TVAC
Thames Valley Air Ambulance (TVAA) and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) have officially started night-time Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) operations across the South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) region and the Isle of Wight. TVAA’s Airbus H135 helicopter is flown by highly-trained and experienced Bond pilots operating with the latest-generation of night-vision... Read more
18-Mar-2016Source: EHAAT
The founder of the first paramedic unit in Europe, Prof. Douglas Chamberlain, spoke to an 85-strong audience of doctors, paramedics, nurses, students and other emergency services personnel at the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust’s monthly Clinical Governance Day held at North Weald Airfield on Tuesday 15 March. Prof. Chamberlain, who has dedicated his career... Read more
18-Mar-2016Source: BBC
In the UK Budget announced this week, Chancellor of the Exchequor George Osborne committed £4 Million from the Government’s banking fine levy to help launch the Northern Ireland Air Ambulance. See full story ... Read more