Author: rwbuck

WellFlight 4-90 In Lebanon, PA closes

Posted on by rwbuck

WellFlight| November 1, 2025 | Lebanon, PA

WellFlight 4-90, based in Lebanon, PA closed on October 15, 2025. WellFlight 4-90 started flight operations in the summer of 2023 out of Stevens, PA and then relocated to Lebanon. Operating with N410W, the aircraft had previously been in service as LVHN MedEvac 1 (N811LV) in Kutztown, PA.

After spending two weeks at the Air Methods service center in Quakertown, PA, N410W is now in Sioux City, Iowa. Looks like she is joining the new Air methods/ LifeNet program at their soon to be open LifeNet 1-4 base.

Photo by Eric Anstine.

Bobby King – 2025 NEMSPA Pilot of the Year

Posted on by rwbuck

NEMSPA| October 28, 2025 | Des Moines, Iowa

Congratulations to our 2025 NEMSPA Pilot of the Year — Robert “Bobby” King! 🎉

Bobby exemplifies the highest standards of professionalism, leadership, and dedication in the air medical community. His commitment to safety, teamwork, and excellence continues to set the bar for pilots across our industry.
Join us in celebrating Bobby for this well-deserved recognition.

Photo and story from NEMSPA Facebook Feed.

Last S76 leaves Cleveland Clinic Transport

Posted on by rwbuck

Cleveland Clinic Transport | September 13, 2025 | Cleveland, OH

N709P departed Burke Lakefront Airport in Cleveland on September 13, 2025, ending a 17 year run of Sikorsky S76 aircraft serving Cleveland Clinic.

Our database shows a new EraMed contract in 2008 brought in three S76 Sikorsky aircraft. Two of these came from the dissolved University MedEvac program in Pennsylvania – N886AH and N911LV. Also brought in was N574EH. 

Sometime in late 2011 or early 2012 a vendor change was made to PHI. At that time PHI brought in N761P, N766P, and N767P. Our database also shows N759P arriving sometime around 2016, N709P in 2017, and N798P in 2019.

Completing the transition from S76 to three MBB-BK117D2 aircraft was the arrival of N979CC on September 3rd. The fleet now consists of N971CC, N972CC, and N979CC.

Cleveland Clinic’s helicopter program started in 2006, under a contract with STAT MedEvac. In those first two years the program flew N980ME, a BK117C2.

Photo from Cleveland Clinic Facebook Feed.

N600HN in service as HealthNet 6

Posted on by rwbuck

HealthNet| August 29, 2025 | Charleston, WV

N600HN | 2024 EC135P3 | SN 2288

The first of 5 brand new Airbus H135s has entered service at Upshur County Airport as HealthNet 6. N600HN arrived in West Virginia on July 17th. This aircraft replaces a 2013 EC135P2+.

Photo from HealthNet Facebook Feed.

LN NY 13 Flight Paramedic Kevin Robert passes

Posted on by rwbuck

LifeNet of New York | August 28, 2025 | Ticonderoga, NY

Sharing this post from the LifeNet of New York Facebook page:

We are devastated to share that Flight Paramedic Kevin Robert passed away last night, August 27th, following a sudden medical emergency. Kevin, alongside a flight nurse and pilot, were caring for a patient aboard LifeNet 7-13, based out of Ticonderoga, NY.

Our crew quickly landed at a nearby hospital while our communications center coordinated emergency resources for Kevin and our patient. Despite the extraordinary efforts of our crew, communications teams, first responders, and the hospital staff, Kevin could not be revived.

Our priority now is the well-being of our teammates and the continued support of Kevin’s family. The Ticonderoga base remains on safety stand-down as we allow our team the time and space they need to grieve.

We ask that you keep Kevin’s family, friends, and teammates in your thoughts, and join us in respecting their privacy as we all navigate this heartbreaking loss. We will forever cherish the memories Kevin leaves with us, and we will carry his memory and legacy with us on every mission.

Photo from LifeNet of New York Facebook Feed.

Life Lion N600LL retires after 25 years of service

Posted on by rwbuck

Life Lion| August 7, 2025 | Hershey, PA

 From the Penn State Health Facebook Page:

After more than two decades of lifesaving service, Penn State Health Life Lion’s Critical Care Transport helicopter, N600LL, took its final flight on Thursday, Aug. 7. Since its first mission on May 14, 2001, this incredible aircraft has transported more than 9,000 patients over 8,222 flight hours — carrying hope and care when it mattered most.

The final flight was piloted by Life Lion Chief Pilot Randy Emery, who also flew the helicopter’s inaugural flight and will be retiring in a few months after 25 dedicated years with Life Lion.

Photo by: Penn State Health

 

PennSTAR 6 relocates from NJ to Penn Doylestown

Posted on by rwbuck

PennSTAR | August 4, 2025 | Doylestown, PA

PennSTAR 6 relocated today from KVAY (South Jersey Regional Airport) in  Lumberton, New Jersey, to Penn Medicine Doylestown. Doylestown Hospital became part of Penn Medicine back on April 1, 2025, so no surprise that PennSTAR would place an aircraft at this location. 

Prior to this, Temple MedFlight was based at Doylestown Hospital. Temple relocated to St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne back in early July. Prior to Temple MedFlight, Doylestown Hospital was home to University MedEvac 5  back in the early 2000s.

Photo by: Roger Buck