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HealthNet Aeromedical Services expands fleet with order of four Airbus H135 helicopters

Posted on by rwbuck

February 27, 2024 | Airbus Press Release | Anaheim, California

HealthNet Aeromedical Services, headquartered in Charleston, West Virginia, will soon expand its all-Airbus fleet with the addition of four H135 helicopters. As one of the largest hospital-based air medical programmes in the country, the helicopters will be used to serve adult, pediatric and neonatal patients across the state of West Virginia.

“HealthNet has been a valued partner of Airbus Helicopters, Inc. since 1986, and we look forward to supporting their mission as they elevate their fleet with the addition of four new H135s,” said Bart Reijnen, President of Airbus Helicopters, Inc. and Head of the North America region. “These helicopters will be the first in their fleet equipped with Helionix avionics, allowing for increased mission flexibility and safety that benefits their employees and the communities they serve.”

Airbus’ light, twin-engine H135 incorporates the most advanced technologies available, including Airbus Helicopters’ Helionix avionics suite, which, in addition to the 4-axis autopilot, offers an innovative cockpit layout to enhance situational awareness. Designed with three large electronic displays, the H135’s cockpit is night vision goggle compatible and includes a First Limit Indicator, which highlights the appropriate engine instrument data for the pilot in one indicator.

“HealthNet Aeromedical Services and our three owner health systems are proud to continue to partner with Airbus to enhance our helicopter fleet,” said Clinton Burley, President and CEO. “The purchase of these aircraft exemplifies our programme’s commitment to advancing the delivery of safe and high-quality transport medicine to those we serve.”

HealthNet has exclusively operated Airbus helicopters since the programme’s inception nearly four decades ago, caring for more than 100,000 patients during that time. Their current fleet of eleven aircraft is comprised of H130, H135 and EC145 helicopters.

The H135 is the helicopter of reference for helicopter emergency medical service operators worldwide. It combines a wide, unobstructed cabin with excellent performance, range and payload capacity, as well as low sound levels. The oversized sliding side doors and rear clamshell doors enable fast loading/unloading of patients, with additional safety during ground operations provided by Airbus’ signature shrouded Fenestron tail rotor. The H135 is the global market leader for helicopter emergency medical services with more than 700 helicopters all around the world being used for life-saving missions.

To date, more than 1,500 helicopters of the H135 family have been delivered worldwide, all mission segments included, clocking in more than 7 million flight hours.

Photo from HealthNet Facebook Feed.

Boston MedFlight N143NE Upgrade

Posted on by rwbuck

February 24, 2024 | Bedford, Massachusetts

On February 24, 2024 – N143NE arrived in Bedford from Grand Prairie, Texas after undergoing a 5 blade upgrade. N143NE left Bedford back in August 2023 for the Airbus facility, taking almost 6 months to complete the upgrade. On the flight back to Bedford, the aircraft spent the night in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. While at KAGC (Allegheny County Airport), our friend Matt Skelton was able to capture this awesome photo.

Boston MedFlight Upgrades Fleet

Posted on by rwbuck

January 28, 2024 | Bedford, Massachusetts

On December 21, 2023 – N246NE arrived in Bedford from Shreveport, LA. The arrival of this new aircraft continues the BFM fleet moderization. Our records now show their fleet being comprised of:

  1. N141NE: D2 with 5 blade retro
  2. N142NE: D3
  3. N143NE: presently at Grand Prairie for 5 blade retro
  4. N144NE: D2 with 5 blade retro
  5. N145NE: D2 with 5 blade retro
  6. N246NE: D3
  7. N273NE: C2 – unconfirmed reports this aircraft has been purchased by Air Methods
Boston MedFlight has the most modern fleet of EMS Helicopters in the NE USA. Starting in 1984 with a BK117, BMF has also operated Dauphin and S76 aircraft alongside the BK117s.  

Photo from BMF “X” feed.

Air Evac Lifeteam 122 crash takes 3 lives

Posted on by rwbuck

January 22, 2024 | Air Evac Lifeteam Facebook Post | Weatherford, Oklahoma

We are heartbroken to report that three crew members have perished in an accident that occurred on Saturday, January 20. At 11:23 pm local time AEL’s Operations Control Center (OCC) lost contact with the aircraft, a Bell 206L3 with call sign N295AE. The crew is based out of Weatherford, OK, and was returning to base after completing a patient care transport in Oklahoma City when the OCC lost contact with them. Nearby AEL teams assisted local law enforcement with the search.

Our primary focus is on supporting the families and our team members. CISM teams have been sent to assist our team members during this time.

It is with a heavy heart that we share the names of our three colleagues. Pilot Russell Haslam, Flight Nurse Adam Tebben and Flight Paramedic Steven FitzGerald. We continue to hold their families in our hearts.

AEL has turned over the scene and investigation to the NTSB.

MedFlight 7 (Ohio) ceases operations

Posted on by rwbuck

December 06, 2023 | MedFlight of Ohio | Portsmouth, Ohio

Last week MedFlight 7, based at Greater Portsmouth Regional Airport, ceased operations. According to newpaper reports, the closing is a result of staffing issues, climbing expenses and reimbursement issues.

This base started operations in 2006 as joint Air Mehods program between MedFlight of Ohio and HealthNet in West Virginia. The program was HealthNet 4 / MedFlight 7 and sported a dual livery. One side of the aircraft was painted with the HealthNet livery, the other side with the MedFlight livery.

In 2020, the partnership ended, the aircraft was repainted with the MedFlight livery and the N number changed from N47HN to N130KR.

With the closing, N130KR was immediately placed in the Air Methods backup pool and was relocated to temporary duty in Virginia.

MedFlight 7 was the only Air Methods base in the MedFlight of Ohio program. All other MedFlight of Ohio bases are operated by Metro Aviation.

Photo by Matt Skelton.

MetroHealth, ProMedica unveil new Helipad on Main Campus

Posted on by rwbuck

November 13, 2023 | MetroHealth Press Release | Cleveland, Ohio

MetroHealth officials and community partners celebrated the opening of the new helipad on Main Campus with a special ribbon cutting on Tuesday, November 14.

The new helipad, located on the roof of MetroHealth’s Critical Care Pavilion, is the latest piece of a $1 billion transformation of our Main Campus in Cleveland’s Clark-Fulton neighborhood.

“This new helipad is like MetroHealth itself: The best place to land in an emergency,” said MetroHealth President & CEO Airica Steed, Ed.D, RN, MBA, FACHE, during her remarks. “A safe and solid place. A welcoming place. A place where patients get the best emergency and trauma care in the region. Landing here means landing in the outstretched hands of healing.”

The new helipad is more than a slab of concrete. This state-of-the-art space includes technologies that automatically remove snow and ice. It is also engineered to reduce the impact of noise and vibration, so patients and caregivers inside the hospital won’t notice when a helicopter is landing or taking off. 

It also provides rapid access to our Emergency Department, our trauma bays and our operating rooms.

The event also served as an opportunity to celebrate the deepening partnership between MetroHealth and ProMedica in Toledo. Last year, MetroHealth and ProMedica forged a partnership that created one of the most experienced non-profit air medical transport teams in the nation.

And because of the ongoing collaboration, ProMedica Air is adding two upgraded helicopters to its fleet.

In October, ProMedica Air welcomed a new EC145e into service and is expected to add another in December. The new helicopters are equipped with the latest life-saving technology and are operated with two fully qualified pilots for additional safety. The aircraft also boast cutting-edge avionics to assist with navigation and communication.

Since August of 2022, MetroHealth and its experienced Metro Life Flight team have managed all operations for ProMedica Air, which has served Northwestern Ohio and Southern Michigan for 35 years. This partnership resulted in a system with four air bases – in Lorain, Sandusky, Wayne and Lucas counties – with four helicopters. Over the last year, ProMedica Air, with MetroHealth’s support, has conducted nearly a thousand transports.

“For more than 40 years, Metro Life Flight has set standard for aviation medical support,” said Jacqueline Spence, Executive Director, Pre-hospital & Business Development, at MetroHealth. “By working so closely with ProMedica Air, we are elevating the already-impressive level of care provided across Northern Ohio. Over this last year, we have learned a tremendous amount from each other, and we look forward to our continued partnership.”

“ProMedica Air is excited to be part of an innovative partnership with Metro Life Flight. Our mission to serve our communities is strong, and we have found a way to deliver critical care air transport to our regional communities more effectively,” said Andrea Donahue, MSN, RN, EMT-B, Associate Vice President, ProMedica Transportation Network. “This partnership is unique, and we are leading the way for other air programs to partner together. Now is the time for thinking outside of the box, and we together are proving that these types of partnerships can work.”

ProMedica Air and Metro Life Flight’s aircraft are operated by Metro Aviation Inc.

Since its founding in 1982, Metro Life Flight has been committed to providing the highest level of care while implementing the highest safety standards in the industry. In addition to air transport, the team includes a robust ground unit that transported nearly 3,300 patients in 2022.

Promedica Air places EC145 into service

Posted on by rwbuck
October 06, 2023 | Promedica Air and Mobile Press Release | Toldeo, Ohio
 
This week ProMedica Air and Metro Life Flight held a ribbon cutting at Sandusky Regional Airport to launch its new EC145 helicopter into service. The new helicopter will be replacing one of the fleet’s EC135 helicopters.

The EC145 is upgraded with the latest life-saving technology and will assist the crew with emergency situations and patient transport needs. A few upgraded features include superior flight capabilities and cutting-edge avionics to assist with navigation and communication.

The other ProMedica Air EC135 helicopter is expected to be upgraded to an EC145 in November. The EC145 helicopter upgrades were made possible by a partnership with Metro Life Flight.

Since January 1, 2023, ProMedica Air has completed 712 flights. The helicopter upgrades will expand the inclusion criteria for patient transports by air, enabling the partnership to serve more people in the community.

N811LV enters service as WellFlight 4-90

Posted on by rwbuck

July 26, 2023 |Roger Buck | Stevens, PA

This week N811LV , sporting a new Wellspan livery, entered service as WellFlight 4-90 based at the Stevens Fire Department in Stevens, Pennsylvania. N811LV replaces N341AM, the temporary Air Methods aircraft brought in to start up the base in March 2023. 

The seasoned enthusiast will recognize N811LV as the previous LVHN MedEvac 1 in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. Air Methods will be changing the N # soon. Once the change occurs, the N811LV registration will be reassigned to the EC135 now serving with LVHN MedEvac 1 in Kutztown.

Photo by Roger Buck.

MFC places first AW119 in service

Posted on by rwbuck

July 17, 2023 | Mercy Flight Press Release | Canandaigua, NY

Mercy Flight Central is celebrating an exciting milestone as the first of their four new AW119 helicopters goes into service on Monday, July 17, 2023. The state-of-the-art helicopter will be in service at the Canandaigua base, with their Marcellus and Rome bases next to be equipped with the new airframe. 

The fleet of AW119 helicopter will support Mercy Flight Central’s mission of providing high quality care to the critically ill or injured. As MFC is in their 31st year of dedicated service to their community, this new helicopter represents not only a historic moment for MFC, but also a renewed commitment to the communities that they serve.  

President & CEO Erin Reese stated “­­­I am proud of my team’s dedication to bringing these new aircraft into service. They have embraced change while learning new skills. Our new helicopters will help us continue to serve our community, being there for them when they need us most.”

Photo by MFC.F