EagleMed LLC critical care air medical transport will take delivery later this month of a new Eurocopter AS350 AStar helicopter, expertly outfitted by Metro Aviation Inc. with the most advanced aviation technology and latest life-saving medical equipment.
This new helicopter joins EagleMed’s state-of-the-art emergency air medical transport fleet dedicated to serving rural America. EagleMed selected the Eurocopter AS350 AStar, a field-proven and highly dependable aircraft, as an integral step in the company’s continuing modernization of its air medical transport fleet.
“Acquisition of this new helicopter with the latest in aviation and emergency life-saving technologies is part of an ongoing commitment to providing safe, world-class patient care,” said EagleMed President Larry Bugg.
Metro Aviation, of Shreveport, La., configured the AStar’s medical interior, which includes a quick-change litter, a transfill oxygen system, medical inverter system, and flip-up seats enhancing the aircraft’s versatility.
The AS350 is also equipped with night vision and Cobham’s HeliSAS digital autopilot. The integrated system dramatically reduces pilot workload during demanding special mission applications.
“We choose Metro Aviation to medically configure all of our AS350 AStar aircraft for critical care air medical transports because it is a proven partner that consistently delivers exceptional workmanship and quality customer care,” Bugg said.
The AS350 AStar is a single-engine helicopter with the best performance in its category. Its high performance, enhanced maneuverability and reduced pilot workload make American Eurocopter’s AS350 the preferred rotary-wing aircraft for air medical services. It flies with a crew of three: a pilot and two emergency medical clinicians.
State-of-the-Art Equipment and Safety Focus
EagleMed’s air medical transport operations have entered the second level of the voluntary Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Safety Management System (SMS), demonstrating the company’s ongoing commitment to advancements in safety. By adopting SMS as a higher standard for safety in air medical transport services, EagleMed is working to enhance the well-being of patients and EagleMed crewmembers.
EagleMed maintains a fully staffed, technologically advanced, 24-hour communications center in Wichita. The company operates state-of-the-art aircraft equipment and modern, up-to-date clinical equipment.
EagleMed’s senior leadership has a combined total of 150 years of aviation safety experience. The company’s employees received the 2010 President’s Award for safety from the Association of Air Medical Services, the 2011 Safety Award from the Helicopter Association International, were recognized by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Services (CAMTS) in 2012 for a Best Practice in Just Culture, and received the National EMS Pilots Association 2012 Pilot of the Year Award.
