Southwest U.S. EMS Operator Adopts NVGs

The U.S. emergency medical services operator TriState Care Flight is shifting its crews to use of night-vision goggles. The independent operator, which serves Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado, has crews using the devices from four of its six bases and aims to have all bases using them by mid-year. Procedures call for the pilot and one crewmember to be on goggles when they are used. Enhanced safety in the dark mountains around the bases was the main reason for the change. TriState worked with Aviation Specialties Unlimited in securing the goggles and training and winning FAA approval of the NVG use. TriState flies five AgustaWestland A119 Koalas and one A109E Power. For related news