The Life Flight Helicopters consist of American Eurocopter-built BK-117 aircraft, a Sikorsky-built S-76 and a new EC-145. The aircraft have many benefits that improve the air transport service Life Flight provides to surrounding hospitals, EMS and fire agencies.
The Sikorsky S-76 carries a standard crew of a pilot, flight nurse and a flight paramedic, and, on some flights, an emergency department resident. The aircraft carries two patients, when needed, from scene calls, and because it is able to carry more weight, still maintains a full crew with a flight physician.
Operations include day, night and IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) operations. IFR operations allow Life Flight to complete more missions in adverse weather conditions, including rain, snow and some cloud cover. The cruise airspeed on this aircraft is 155 knots or approximately 175 miles per hour. Altitude limits of the aircraft are 15,000 feet; however, normal cruise altitude is approximately 3,000 feet. The biggest benefit that the aircraft allows is the increased cabin space for the patients and crew. In addition, the increased range of the aircraft allows a range of three hours flight time.
All aircraft are powered by twin turbine engines for greater reliability and safety along with the capability of single pilot instrument flight. This means added safety for the crew and patients. All helicopters are equipped for night operations and landing in unconventional areas.
Radio communications are capable over the full frequency ranges. The helicopters are routinely set up for scene calls, but can quickly be converted for cardiac, neonatal, and other patients needing specialty care. Each helicopter can transport two patients.
Equipped to handle any emergency situation, each helicopter's fixed mount equipment includes a volume ventilator, oxygen, and a suction unit.
Portable equipment includes cardiac monitors, defibrillator, suction unit, cervical immobilization device, adult and pediatric MAST trousers, intravenous infusion pumps, external and internal cardiac pacemakers, transcutaneous pulse oximeters and a full range of advanced life support drugs.
Transport isolettes, complete with a full range of equipment for acute stabilization and transport of the neonate, are available.
The new EC-145 is equipped with state-of-the-art features, including:
- GPS tracking capabilities
- Auto pilot capability to fly under instrument conditions
- Increase in take-off weight allowances
- Able to receive up-to-the-minute weather updates
- Night vision goggle certified aircraft with NVG coming in the fall of 2008
“All the features enhance our mission capabilities allowing our flight teams to safely treat and transport the critically ill and injured to tertiary care facilities,” said Jerry Splitt, RN, Life Flight Program Coordinator. “The most important benefits offered are the enhanced safety features. The technology helps the crew navigate through marginal weather conditions more safely and the tracking system ensures that our communications center knows where the crew and patients are at all times.”
Geisinger operates five helicopters in the Life Flight program.
One is housed on the campus of Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, a Level One Regional Resource Trauma Center. Other bases include Williamsport Regional Airport, Williamsport; Wilkes-Barre Scranton Regional Airport, Avoca; Life Flight 5 base, Minersville; and Life Flight 2 base in State College.
