FAA Approves AWOS AV

All Weather, Inc. (AWI) has been granted approval for an Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) Type AV (Altimeter and Visibility). AWI has been designing and producing various AWOS Types for over 20 years including AWOS Types A, I, II, III, P, PT, T and PTZ. The recent certification of an AWOS AV adds to a long list of FAA certified equipment in AWI's product line. The AWOS, developed by AWI, is an unmanned system that provides up-to-the-minute weather data to airport personnel and pilots. Over the last couple of years many airports have been pursuing sensors and systems to support Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and a key requirement relating to equipment for these procedures is an AWOS. The FAA has determined that the minimum equipment requirement for IFR approaches is for each airport to be equipped with an AWOS AV or better. AWI claims a unique AWOS AV solution because not only is its altimeter and visibility certified by the FAA so is AWI's wind speed and direction, temperature, rain fall, and humidity sensors.

Air Methods Prefers Eurocopter

Air Methods, the world's largest air medical transportation provider, has taken delivery of nine new Eurocopter helicopters in 2009, maintaining a planned fleet upgrade. The deliveries included seven AS350B3s, one EC130, and one EC 135. The helicopters join Air Methods' sizable fleet of more than 330 helicopters providing emergency medical services throughout the United States. Air Methods operates a variety of Eurocopter products, including EC130s, EC135s, EC145s, AS350s, AS365s, BK117s and BO105s. Air Methods Corporation is a leader in emergency air medical transportation and medical services. The Air Medical Services Division is the largest provider of air medical transport services for hospitals.

EC135 Training Program Certified

American Eurocopter has received CFR Part 142 certification for its EC135 training program. This certification, along with approval by an operator's principal operations inspector (POI), authorizes American Eurocopter to deliver its Part 135 approved training programs. The company plans to add its EC145 and AS350 programs to this certificate, pending FAA approval, in late 2009 and third quarter 2010 respectively. The EC135 CFR Part 142 certification, coupled with American Eurocopter's FAA approved EC135 FTD, enables operators to use training credits to reduce and in some cases eliminate in-aircraft training requirements. The use of the advanced simulator allows pilots to 'fly' realistic emergency scenarios alone as the aircraft commander, maximizing the flying experience and the lessons learned. As a level B FFS, this simulator and approved training program provides a complete training experience. It also reduces the risk of weather or operational related delays, while reducing environmental impact. American Eurocopter is developing an AS350 simulator, which along with the training program, will be operational in the summer of 2010.

Kudos for Life Flight Network

Life Flight Network has earned the prestigious air medical Program of the Year award from the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS). The Life Flight Network fleet is comprised of predominantly Eurocopter helicopters, including three EC135s and four AS350B3 helicopters. Receiving the AAMS award is recognition an emergency medical program demonstrates the very highest levels of patient care, management expertise, quality leadership, customer service, safety, marketing ingenuity, community service and commitment to the medical transport community. Over 250 air medical programs worldwide are eligible for AAMS Program of the Year honors. "We are honored to receive this award," said Michael Griffiths, executive director of Life Flight Network, which operates from multiple bases in the Pacific Northwest. "Ultimately, this is about the community and the people we serve. The combination of providing excellent patient care and rapid transport translates to better patient outcomes and lives saved. The safety and reliability of Eurocopter products have certainly played an important role in our success."

STAT MedEvac Orders 16th EC135

STAT MedEvac of West Mifflin continues to expand its fleet of American Eurocopter EC135 helicopters, converting one of three existing options to a firm order. The company has now ordered a total of 16 EC135s, with the new aircraft to be delivered in 2010. STAT MedEvac was the first air medical provider to operate the EC135 in the U.S. Today, STAT MedEvac operates 15 EC135s and six EC145s. "The EC135 and EC145s are well suited for the air medical mission, and provide us with a highly efficient and effective fleet," said Doug Garretson, president and chief executive officer of STAT MedEvac. "The digital autopilot system and other safety enhancements continue to be important considerations in selecting American Eurocopter products." The STAT MedEvac fleet is equipped with a number of advanced technologies that underscore the operation's commitment to safe flight. The EC135 exceeds all of the recommendations in the National Transportation Safety Board's comprehensive report on HEMS safety. The safety technologies include IFR capability, Night Vision Goggles for pilots and crew, Traffic Collision Avoidance System, Color Weather Radar, and Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning Systems. In their latest EC135, which was delivered in September, STAT MedEvac also had cockpit voice and data recording installed.

FEC Heliports Supports NEMSPA

During the Air Medical Transport Conference in San Jose, CA, FEC Heliports donated $2,500 to the National EMS Pilots Association (NEMSPA) corporate sponsorship program. The NEMSPA corporate sponsorship program provides a partnership opportunity for companies and organizations that provide products and services to the aviation and health care community to help further safety, research, education and technology within the industry. Money from NEMSPA's corporate sponsorship program has been instrumental in funding multiple safety initiatives and events to include: EMS Pilot Fatigue Research, No Pressure Initiative, Helipad Safety Program, Participation in NTSB hearings, HAI & FAA sponsored A021 OPSPEC rewrite, FAA, NVG Regulations Meeting, HEMS National Safety Summit. World Congress AIRMED; Prague, Czech Republic, and many more. FEC Heliports is a division of the Federal Equipment Company. Over the past 13 years, FEC Heliports has designed, manufactured and installed more rooftop and ground helipads than anyone else in the world.

'No Pressure' Initiative

During the Air Medical Transport Conference in San Jose, CA, the National EMS Pilots Association (NEMSPA) unveiled its "No Pressure Initiative".

Earlier this year NEMSPA conducted a short, informal survey among more than 250 EMS pilots and found that more than one in three reported being susceptible to "internal" pressure to take a flight. Approximately one in four reported encountering pressure from "external" sources, which can include frontline managers and even fellow crewmembers. How often do pilots and their flight teams succumb to pressure? That's unclear. AMOA (Air Medical Operators Association) has offered to work with NEMSPA to conduct a more comprehensive survey that might produce those statistics.

Believing the "pressure to fly" problem is significant enough to warrant protective measures, NEMSPA, in collaboration with the core air medical associations (ASTNA, IAFP, AMPA, NAACS and AAMS - representing flight nurses, paramedics, physicians, communicators and programs respectively), has introduced the "No Pressure Initiative." Consisting of three primary defensive layers, this program is designed to combat pressure in the 1) program culture, 2) during the preflight decision making process, and 3) while in cruise flight. Air medical operations are strongly encouraged to integrate these three barriers into their program structure, and become a true "No Pressure Zone."

The National EMS Pilots Association is a non-profit professional pilot organization dedicated to serving rotary wing and fixed wing pilots involved in the air-medical transport industry. Additional information on NEMSPA and its corporate sponsorship program can be found at http://www.nemspa.org