American Eurocopter congratulates the Life Flight Network on earning the prestigious air medical Program of the Year award from the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS). A Life Flight Network EC135 will be proudly displayed in the American Eurocopter exhibit (1617) during the Air Medical Transport Conference, Oct. 26-28. The Life Flight Network fleet is comprised of predominantly Eurocopter helicopters, including three EC135s and four AS350B3 helicopters.
“Life Flight Network is a world-class operation deserving of this prestigious recognition,” said Marc Paganini, President & CEO of American Eurocopter. “We are proud to know that our aircraft are part of their success.”
Receiving the AAMS Program of the Year award is recognition an emergency medical program demonstrates the very highest levels of patient care, management expertise, quality leadership, customer service, safety, marketing ingenuity, community service and commitment to the medical transport community. Over 250 air medical programs worldwide are eligible for AAMS Program of the Year honors. This is first time in the history of AAMS a flight program based on the West Coast of the U.S. has received the award.
“This is an enormous milestone, and we are honored to receive this award,” said Michael Griffiths, Executive Director of Life Flight Network, which operates from multiple bases in the Pacific Northwest. “Ultimately, this is about the community and the people we serve. The combination of providing excellent patient care and rapid transport translates to better patient outcomes and lives saved. The safety and reliability of Eurocopter products have certainly played an important role in our success.”
Eurocopter helicopters are the aircraft of choice for emergency medical airlift providers across the U.S., accounting for three-quarters of all deliveries into this segment over the past decade.
American Eurocopter is proud to announce that the National EMS Pilots Association (NEMPSA) has been selected to receive the third annual Vision Zero Aviation Safety Award. The organization was chosen because of its contributions to safety initiatives and education throughout the industry.
The National EMS Pilots Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional pilot organization that is dedicated to serving pilots involved in the air-medical transport industry and to improve the quality and the safety of those services. The organization enjoys a rich history of innovation and excellence spanning over 25 years. NEMPSA was formed in 1984 with the mission to help the Air Medical industry prosper safely and enhance the delivery of healthcare. It has become synonymous with professionalism and safety, and NEMSPA works very closely with the federal agencies, industry organizations, health care systems, air medical providers and many others to promote quality and safety in the industry.
The American Eurocopter Vision Zero Aviation Safety Award was started in 2007 to promote aviation safety within the air medical community. A Blue Ribbon Committee, chaired by industry consultant Bill Bryant, reviewed the nominations and selected the winner. "The committee was very impressed by the number of safety initiatives that NEMSPA has driven and been a part of in recent years, including their most recent project the 'No Pressure Initiative,'" said Bryant.
Some of the NEMSPA initiatives include:
· NEMSPA No Pressure Initiative
· Heliport Safety Sign Campaign
· EMS Pilot Fatigue Research Project in collaboration with Mark R. Rosekind, Ph.D.
· EMS Pilot Sleep and Fatigue Survey
· Participation in the NTSB hearings on the HEMS industry as a party member/submitted document "An Opportunity to Improve"
· Night Vision Goggle Pilot Survey
· FAA Night Vision Goggle Introduction Flight Program
· Participation in Dr. Ira Blumen's research study identifying root causes of HEMS accidents
· National Hospital Helipad Safety Education Program
· National AWOS integration project & ADDS HEMS Weather Tool Research to include participating in the HEMS Weather Summit
As part of the award, American Eurocopter presented NEMSPA with a check for $10,000 to continue their efforts.
"Safety is paramount in our industry and we take great pride in presenting this year's award and check to NEMSPA," stated Marc Paganini, President and CEO of American Eurocopter. "Initiatives like theirs will help ensure that we are able to achieve the highest levels of safety."
Larry Roberts, American Eurocopter Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Customer Support, presented the award and the check to the NEMSPA board members, during the AMTC Community Awards Banquet.
Also announced during the banquet, was that the Alberta Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society (STARS) received an honorable mention for their continuous commitment to safety. "STARS has an impressive program," explained Bryant. "Unfortunately we only have one Vision Zero award a year, but we wanted them to receive recognition for the hard work and commitment to safety within their organization and the industry."
For more information on The American Eurocopter Vision Zero Aviation Safety Award, along with the nomination form and instructions, please click here.
HealthNet Aeromedical Services of Charleston, WV, will soon expand its fleet of American Eurocopter helicopters by taking delivery of its third EC135 and first EC145. Both aircraft are scheduled to be delivered on Nov. 6 and will enter service next March.
“With a track record of over 60,000 accident-free missions, the HealthNet operation is a model for the industry,” said Marc Paganini, President & CEO of American Eurocopter. “We are pleased that they continue to select Eurocopter products and pledge our ongoing commitment to their continued success.”
Chip Sovick, president and chief executive officer of HealthNet, said his organization has been flying Eurocopter products for 23 years, adding that the experience has been outstanding. “We are very pleased with the technology, safety, and suitability of the aircraft for the air medical missions we fly.” The mixed fleet of 135s and 145s “allows us to better handle training missions and specialty team transports, such as pediatric and neonatal.”
The HealthNet fleet, which has completed 60,000 accident-free missions, also includes four AS350s. The helicopters transport 3,500 patients a year, providing scene, interfacility, neonatal and pediatric transfers. HealthNet is a consortium of three hospitals. Working in conjunction with Air Methods and MedFlight of Ohio, HealthNet serves West Virginia and surrounding states, including Kentucky and Ohio.
The HealthNet fleet incorporates a range of advanced technologies that enhance safety, including Dual-Pilot Instrument Flight Rules capability, Night Vision Goggles for pilots and crew, Helicopter Terrain Awareness Warning System, and Wire Strike Kit.
American Eurocopter’s EC135 is the twin-engine platform of choice for air medical operators, accounting for 60 percent of all twin-engine air medical services deliveries over the past decade. The EC135 is offered with a wide range of dedicated EMS interiors, maximizing the operator’s choice for single-patient, dual-patient or isolette transport. The EC135’s Fenestron® tail rotor and rear clamshell doors offer the safest and easiest loading possible, while the aircraft’s anti-resonance isolation system ensures that patients are given the smoothest possible ride.
The EC145 offers multi-mission capability in a medium-class, twin-engine helicopter. Operators appreciate the aircraft’s speed, advanced glass cockpit, extra-large cabin and exceptional visibility. With high-set main and tail rotors, the EC145 ensures safe ground operations, even during “hot” loading/unloading with blades turning.
About American Eurocopter
American Eurocopter is a helicopter manufacturer that produces, markets, sells and supports the broadest range of civil and para-public helicopters offered by any manufacturer in the United States. The company is a subsidiary of EADS North America Holdings, the North American operations of EADS, a global leader in aerospace, defense and related services, and is an affiliate of Eurocopter, the largest helicopter manufacturer in the world. American Eurocopter’s product line represents the most cost-effective, technologically-advanced helicopters, ranging from light single to heavy twin, serving all markets and missions. Company headquarters and main facilities are located in Grand Prairie, TX, with a large manufacturing and production facility in Columbus, MS, that produces the UH-72A for the U.S. Army’s Light Utility Helicopter program.