AIRPORT MANAGEMENT

Life Flight Network to add helicopter critical care transport base to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

LIFE FLIGHT NETWORK | January 19, 2022

Air India News
Life Flight Network, the nation's largest not-for-profit air ambulance provider, announced the addition of a helicopter critical care transport base in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. This new service will augment existing helicopter and fixed-wing services in north-central Idaho, eastern Washington, and western Montana. The new helicopter base, slated to open this spring, will serve as a standalone base of operations with dedicated pilots, mechanics, nurses, and paramedics.

"With the rapidly increasing population in this region, there has been a greater demand for our services, and we are always listening for feedback from the communities we serve. By placing an additional helicopter in the North Idaho region, we will have increased capacity to support the area's growing population and their critical medical transport needs," 

- Dominic Pomponio, Vice President, Life Flight Network.

The addition of a helicopter base in Coeur d'Alene will allow for an even faster response time to the surrounding communities, supplementing the coverage provided by bases in Spokane and Pullman, WA, and Sandpoint and Lewiston, ID.

"We are excited about Life Flight Network adding an additional life-saving resource to Kootenai County. We have long enjoyed a great relationship with Life Flight Network and value their ability to transport our most critically ill and injured patients to a hospital when time is of the essence. Today's news is one more example of how valuable a partnership like this is to the patients we serve,"

- Christopher Way, Fire Chief, Kootenai County Fire & Rescue.

Along with the aircraft's state of the art medical interior, the combined efforts of a flight registered nurse and flight paramedic enable Life Flight Network crews to operate a mobile intensive care unit with the ability to perform a multitude of highly skilled medical functions during transport, including video laryngoscopes, ICU-level ventilators, and emergency blood transfusions.

"Providing the highest level clinical care is important to all of us at Life Flight Network as we live, work, and play in the region alongside the patients we serve. The addition of the helicopter base in Coeur d'Alene will undoubtedly save lives by providing patients a faster response when time is of the essence,"

- Casey Seckel, Chief Clinical Officer, Life Flight Network.

The helicopter based in Coeur d'Alene will be an AgustaWestland AW119Kx 'Koala,' providing safe, reliable, and efficient rotor-wing transport and the highest productivity levels among single-engine helicopters. Equipped with a state-of-the-art Garmin G-1000H cockpit, it provides excellent situational awareness to the pilot. The aircraft is spacious with the capacity to transport two patients or a specialty team with unencumbered full-body access while cruising at an impressive speed of 166 miles per hour. Life Flight Network is the largest operator of medically equipped AW119Kx's in the United States, with twenty-one operating across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana.


ABOUT LIFE FLIGHT NETWORK
Life Flight Network, a not-for-profit air medical service, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS), the National Accreditation Alliance of Medical Transport Applications (NAAMTA), and Helicopter Association International (HAI). Life Flight Network is the largest not-for-profit air medical transport service in the United States and maintains its own FAA Part 135 Operating Certificate. It offers ICU-level care during air transport across the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West. Life Flight Network, headquartered in Aurora, Oregon, was named 2021 Program of the Year by the Association of Air Medical Services.

Spotlight

One year ago, the Antonov An-225 was destroyed during Russia's invasion of Ukraine. A year on, I look at the destruction, provide updates on a secondary airframe and much more involving the 6-engined transported that attracted so much interest worldwide for its sheer size and capabilities.

Spotlight

One year ago, the Antonov An-225 was destroyed during Russia's invasion of Ukraine. A year on, I look at the destruction, provide updates on a secondary airframe and much more involving the 6-engined transported that attracted so much interest worldwide for its sheer size and capabilities.

Related News

AIR TRANSPORT

Cirrus Aircraft Launches Aircraft Configurator

Businesswire | April 05, 2023

Cirrus Aircraft today launched its aircraft configurator, a web-based digital tool, that allows customers to comprehensively explore the company's world-class SR Series and Vision Jet® then select from a rich exterior color palette and premium leather interior to further tailor the aircraft inside a dedicated hangar. The configurator inspires people to learn more about the unparalleled aircraft product line, advanced features and invites them to make the aircraft uniquely their own. The configurator is a sleek 3D aesthetic tool that lets anyone discover, customize, save and share their favorite Cirrus aircraft and designs. The configurator invites people to learn more about Cirrus Aircraft’s SR Series and Vision Jet, their performance, flight experience, safety features, advanced flight deck and spacious interior through realistic 360° animations of the aircraft and design experience. The web-based application provides aircraft information through product hotspots highlighting innovative technologies and standard safety features such as the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®), Garmin® avionics, convenience features and more. The detailed representation of the aircraft illustrates how mechanisms work, such as how the doors open. Then customers can explore and sample various aesthetic and paint packages to personalize their aircraft. “The aircraft configurator is another step in our evolution of delivering a connected, world-class experience for our customers,” said Zean Nielsen, Chief Executive Officer of Cirrus Aircraft. “The configurator invites people to learn more about our aircraft, technology and safety systems and then design and share their dream aircraft. It’s a testament to our team’s continuous research and development of new technologies that make personal aviation more accessible.” Cirrus Aircraft’s sales team is now equipped with a powerful digital design tool to enhance the customer buying experience by showcasing the aircraft models, safety features and design options on any mobile device in real time. The configurator is scalable and presents new integration opportunities with other mobile applications such as Cirrus IQ™. The digital aesthetic tool marks a significant milestone in creating an elevated customer experience. About Cirrus Aircraft Cirrus Aircraft is the recognized global leader in personal aviation and the maker of the best-selling SR Series piston aircraft and the Vision Jet®, the world’s first single-engine Personal Jet™, and the recipient of the Robert J. Collier Trophy. Founded in 1984, the company has redefined aviation performance, comfort and safety with innovations like the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®) – the first FAA-certified whole-airframe parachute safety system included as standard equipment on an aircraft. To date, worldwide flight time on Cirrus aircraft has passed 15 million hours, and 250 people have returned home safely to their families as a result of the inclusion of CAPS as a standard feature on all Cirrus aircraft. The company has seven locations in the United States, including Benton Harbor, Michigan; Duluth, Minnesota; Grand Forks, North Dakota; Greater Dallas, Texas; Greater Phoenix, Arizona; and Greater Orlando, Florida and Knoxville, Tennessee.

Read More

BUSINESS AVIATION

Universal Avionics Enhances Vision System Services for Dassault FalconEye

Universal Avionics | March 14, 2023

Universal Avionics, a subsidiary of Elbit Systems company, has recently announced the addition of repair services for the Dassault FalconEye product line at its Part 145 Repair Station in Tucson, Arizona. The added repair facility offers improved customer support and enables rapid turn times on Enhanced Vision Systems. Universal Avionics' global services on enhanced vision systems are supplemented by the advanced system's established repair capabilities. In addition, customers in North America will now have access to comprehensive local support for these cutting-edge technologies as Dassault continues to ramp up the production of its aircraft with FalconEye. The FalconEye Combined Vision System (CVS) utilizes a sophisticated database-driven terrain mapping synthetic and multi-sensor camera inputs to provide pilots with enhanced situational awareness through a heads-up display. These cutting-edge technologies facilitate safer approaches during inclement weather and challenging terrain conditions. With FalconEye, you can approach each mission with greater confidence and assurance. Chief Executive Officer at Universal Avionics, Dror Yahav, said, "The FalconEye camera is one of the most sophisticated electrical-optical systems available for commercial aviation. The implementation of repair services in North America for Dassault FalconEye guarantees customers will have first-rate service of the system." (Source – Cision PR Newswire) About Universal Avionics Founded in 1981, Universal Avionics, an Elbit Systems Company, is one of the top manufacturers of innovative avionics systems with forward fit and retrofit solutions currently installed on over 35,000 airplanes and helicopters. The company ensures the safety of pilots and passengers around the world. It offers solutions for navigation, electronic display, terrain awareness, recorders, and enhanced flight vision systems. It is based in Tucson, Arizona, guides pilots and their passengers worldwide and provides solutions for the industry's most extensive diversification of aircraft types.

Read More

AIR TRANSPORT

Avolon Commits to Ordering 40 Boeing 737 MAX Aircraft

Businesswire | April 28, 2023

Avolon, the international aircraft leasing company, announces a commitment to order 40 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The aircraft are scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2030; and are valued at over $4 billion at current list price. Avolon delivered the first 737 MAX in 2017, along with the one thousandth 737 MAX earlier this year. This commitment builds on our strong relationship with Boeing and demonstrates our confidence in the long-term demand for this aircraft type. It will increase the overall size of Avolon’s owned, managed and committed fleet to 870 aircraft. The 737 MAX provides Avolon’s customers with greater flexibility across their networks, while reducing fuel use and emissions by up to 20% compared to the aircraft they will replace. This commitment reinforces Avolon’s efforts to increase the proportion of new technology fuel-efficient aircraft in its fleet, supported by the 737 MAX’s use of the latest CFM International LEAP-1B engines and advanced technology winglets. Andy Cronin, CEO of Avolon, commented: “This commitment with Boeing underlines our confidence in the positive momentum in the aviation market, and increases our portfolio of young, modern, fuel-efficient aircraft. With strong demand for our new technology orderbook, and delivery slots at a premium, it strengthens and extends our delivery profile with Boeing. This commitment will also support our airline customers who are looking to plan beyond the robust post-Covid traffic recovery and prepare for future growth, while also reducing their carbon emissions.” The transaction is subject only to approval by shareholders of Bohai Leasing Co., Ltd., Avolon’s 70% shareholder, which is anticipated before the end of May. About Avolon Headquartered in Ireland, with offices in the United States, Dubai, Singapore and Hong Kong, Avolon provides aircraft leasing and lease management services. Avolon is 70% owned by an indirect subsidiary of Bohai Leasing Co., Ltd., a public company listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SLE: 000415) and 30% owned by ORIX Aviation Systems Limited, a subsidiary of ORIX Corporation which is listed on the Tokyo and New York Stock Exchanges (TSE: 8591; NYSE: IX).

Read More