Third AMS Operation For The Medical Transportation
Provider
Longtime traditional air medical transportation provider and
helicopter completion specialist, Metro Aviation, Inc. will soon be
providing helicopter air medical services (AMS) to MedFlight, based
in Columbus, Ohio. The AMS operation will be the third for Metro
Aviation in the state of Ohio and will include a Midwest
maintenance facility to support these and other regional aircraft
operated by the company. The program will also introduce the EC130B
helicopter to the area and will replace the current fleet of
helicopters. Metro will commence operations in July 2011.
MedFlight has provided air and ground medical transportation
services to the region since 1995 and currently operates seven
helicopters and three mobile ICU ground ambulances. The
not-for-profit company is governed by a consortium of hospitals
including OhioHealth, The Ohio State University Medical Center in
Columbus, and Akron General Medical Center. MedFlight is also the
preferred provider for Nationwide Children's Hospital in
Columbus.
Metro's Owner, President and CEO, Mike Stanberry commented, "Our
new partnership with MedFlight and their unparalleled patient care
services to the residents of Ohio and the surrounding area are
exactly the type of professional relationship that we are proud to
have at Metro Aviation."
As part of the new operating contract for Metro Aviation, the
company will design, develop and certify a new, comprehensive air
medical interior solution for a market that has been faced with few
choices for the EC130B helicopter. The air medical interior
development program for the aircraft will include a unique version
of the Life Port Med Deck system, custom seating, custom liquid
oxygen (LOX) system and other typical air medical support equipment
installations. Also included is a new lightweight Cobham HeliSAS
autopilot and Stability Augmentation System (SAS) for increased
safety and pilot workload reduction advantages. As one of the
HeliSAS primary functions, the SAS provides precise control during
all modes of flight, regardless of wind conditions or aircraft
center of gravity.
Furthermore, Metro Aviation will be in compliance with all the
equipment contemplated in the recent FAA Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking (NPRM) regarding Helicopter Emergency Medical Service
(HEMS) operations, to include night vision goggle (NVG) compatible
cockpit and cabin areas, Garmin Helicopter Terrain Awareness
Warning Systems (HTAWS), and a Traffic Collision Avoidance System.
Additionally, all pilots will attend annual simulator training
provided by Flight Safety International as part of the overall
safety enhancement program for Metro and their customers.
EC130 File Photo
Metro Aviation will be installing the NORTH Flight Data Systems
Voice, Video and Flight Data Recorder (VVFDR) which will far exceed
a possible Light-weight Aircraft Recording System (LARs)
requirement for the FAA NPRM. The system provides all engine and
airframe data as well as over 20 GPS inputs. Through an integration
of the satellite communication system, MedFlight will be able to
receive radar altimeter data along with system and aircraft
performance information with every position report. Metro Aviation
is going well beyond any contemplated regulations by installing the
comprehensive NORTH Flight Data System and utilizing NORTH FDS's
FOQA analysis to achieve true safety improvements.
The first of seven EC130B helicopters is currently undergoing
completion at the Metro Aviation main facility located in
Shreveport, Louisiana. Metro Aviation expects a smooth transition
with a thorough plan to provide uninterrupted air medical
transportation services for MedFlight and their patients. Metro
Aviation is the second largest provider of traditional air medical
programs in the United States.