Geisinger Life Flight has recently taken delivery of a new aircraft, a Sikorsky S-76A++, based at Geisinger Medical Center's Danville hangar. This new aircraft has been chosen because of its capability to complete missions in a faster manner.

The aircraft has 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.