Operational news updates
Brisbane Airport air medical hub reaches halfway milestone
The purpose-built facility will bring multiple air medical operators together, with capacity for 26 aircraft and dedicated patient transfer infrastructure
1 Sep 2026
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Editorial Team
Jonathan Britton named President of Helicopter Institute
The former US Army aviation commander will oversee growth across military, government, public safety, and commercial helicopter training programs
31 Aug 2026
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Siân Yates
ASU’s E3 PANO receives FAA approval
ASU’s Lightweight E3 PANO NVG system has secured FAA approval for integration into qualified civil helicopter operations, including air medical, search and rescue, and public safety missions
28 Aug 2026
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Chloe Fox
Sikorsky names Czech firm as EU Black Hawk parts distributor
Česká letecká servisní will stock Sikorsky Black Hawk components in the Czech Republic, supporting more than 150 aircraft operated across the European Union
28 Aug 2026
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Chloe Fox
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Latest Issue
September 2026
Issue
As we reach the equinox, I’m happy that we have an interesting military edition of AirMed&Rescue for you to read on those longer nights. We have features on the benefits of governmental institutions having a multipurpose helicopter; why military operators are at the forefront of exploring optionally piloted aircraft; how uncrewed aerial vehicles are serving as platforms for sensors that can operate in extreme situations; and on the equipment that is essential to carry on board an emergency medical services aircraft.
Optionally piloted aircraft: the hybrid future of special operations
A new flight regime. David Pearl and Jon Adams report on the extant and planned optionally piloted aircraft that are being used for multi-mission applications
1 Sep 2026
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David Pearl
& Jon Adams
Can't fly without it
Today’s search and rescue and helicopter emergency medical services aircraft carry a range of advanced primary care equipment. Chris Croot talks with operators and manufacturers about the tools they consider...
1 Sep 2026
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Chris Croot
Far-sighted
Remote territories are seeing new military and emergency services investments in surveillance drones. Rob Coppinger investigates the latest aerial vehicles in use for special missions
1 Sep 2026
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Jon Adams
Multi-role helicopters
As military aviation evolves to embrace operations in support of civilian populations in crisis, utility rotorcraft with the flexibility to quickly repurpose from combat readiness to serving multiple non-combat missions...
1 Sep 2026
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Robin Gauldie
Interview: Investing in New Zealand
Paul Baxter, CEO of Search & Rescue Services, tells Mandy Langfield about his work and the unique environment and challenges that face search and rescue operations in New Zealand
1 Sep 2026
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Mandy Langfield
Interview: Many disciplines
Search and rescue for the Canadian Armed Forces is a multifaceted specialty. Sergeant Dave Rix, RCAF Search and Rescue Technician, tells Mandy Langfield about the demands of a job where...
1 Sep 2026
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Mandy Langfield
Interview: From uniformed professional to veteran leader in industry
Former Indian Air Force Officer Wing Commander (Retd) Abhishek Dasari tells Mandy Langfield about his career in the military, the skills needed for the roles he had, and how veterans...
1 Sep 2026
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Mandy Langfield
Industry voice: Beyond compliance: why accreditation matters in air medical transport
Terry Palmer explains why accreditation has become a valued indicator of commitment to good practice in the air medical sector
1 Sep 2026
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Terry Palmer
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HEMS/SAR
Brisbane Airport air medical hub reaches halfway milestone
The purpose-built facility will bring multiple air medical operators together, with capacity for 26 aircraft and dedicated patient transfer infrastructure
1 Sep 2026
|
Editorial Team
Nepal flood rescue operation mobilizes military and civilian aircraft
Military and civilian aviation assets are evacuating survivors, deploying medical teams, and delivering relief after floods severed access across northern Nepal
27 Aug 2026
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Siân Yates
North Midlands helipad receives £814,000 safety upgrade funding
An £814,000 HELP Appeal grant will fund new barriers, warning systems, and lighting at Royal Stoke University Hospital’s helipad in Staffordshire, UK
26 Aug 2026
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Chloe Fox
Penn State Health Life Lion adds helicopter to Lancaster base
The Airbus H155 brings Life Lion’s Lancaster base to three aircraft, expanding dedicated medical capacity for pediatric, neonatal, and other critical care transfers across central Pennsylvania
21 Aug 2026
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Chloe Fox
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Emergency Services
Military helicopters join aerial firefighting response as Hawk Fire threatens Nevada’s Reno
CH-47 and UH-60 helicopters from the Nevada National Guard are supporting firefighting operations as the Hawk Fire threatens communities around Reno, Nevada
24 Aug 2026
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Chloe Fox
Light aircraft crashes into police helicopter
A Cessna 150 crashed into a police Bell 407 at Carlisle Airport in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, resulting in the death of the Cessna pilot and injuries to the two people...
24 Aug 2026
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Jon Adams
South Korean national police order new KAI Chamsuri helicopter
The aircraft is configured for law enforcement operations, with infrared cameras and a video downlink
21 Aug 2026
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Chloe Fox
Report into Gold Mountain fire helicopter crash
A preliminary report into the fatal crash that claimed the life of a firefighting pilot in Colorado has been released
20 Aug 2026
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Jon Adams
Avionics and Technology
ASU’s E3 PANO receives FAA approval
ASU’s Lightweight E3 PANO NVG system has secured FAA approval for integration into qualified civil helicopter operations, including air medical, search and rescue, and public safety missions
28 Aug 2026
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Chloe Fox
Sikorsky names Czech firm as EU Black Hawk parts distributor
Česká letecká servisní will stock Sikorsky Black Hawk components in the Czech Republic, supporting more than 150 aircraft operated across the European Union
28 Aug 2026
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Chloe Fox
FAA approves electric air conditioning for Enstrom 280FX
FAA certification adds electric cockpit cooling to the Enstrom 280FX ahead of customer deliveries from October 2026
25 Aug 2026
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Chloe Fox
GA-ATS adds TrakkaCam TC-375 to Do228 NXT mission options
The Do228 NXT gains day/night multispectral imaging from TrakkaCam for surveillance, SAR, and civil protection missions
24 Aug 2026
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Editorial Team
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Simulation and Training
Tunisian Air Force adds Airbus H125 simulator for mission training
The customized device will support training for helicopter crews operating across surveillance, search and rescue, firefighting, and other military missions
27 Aug 2026
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Siân Yates
Montana National Guard complete VITA Rescue System training
The systems, which stabilize litters during hoist operations, will be supplied to the Montana National Guard’s bases in Helena and Billings
6 Aug 2026
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Oliver Cuenca
McDermott Aviation to introduce Bell 214ST simulator from Entrol for aerial firefighting training
The new flight training device will support heavy-lift firefighting and external load operations with mixed reality technology
5 Aug 2026
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Siân Yates
HeliOperations expands AW139 training with Reiser flight simulator and hoist system
New simulation systems will support integrated pilot and hoist operator training for German Navy helicopter crews under a seven-year program
30 Jul 2026
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Siân Yates
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Drones
Dutch medical drone trial extended after 800 BVLOS flights
The year-long program tested medical deliveries in shared airspace, including environments used by trauma helicopters and other aviation operators
26 Aug 2026
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Siân Yates
Hyde County deploys eVTOL aircraft for emergency medical response
A flight-trained paramedic used a Pivotal eVTOL to reach 911 patients and begin advanced life support ahead of ground ambulances in rural North Carolina
20 Aug 2026
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Chloe Fox
Cleveland Clinic begins drone delivery of prescription medicines
Zipline UAVs are delivering prescription medicines to Cleveland Clinic patients in the USA, using tethered pods for precise doorstep drops
12 Aug 2026
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Chloe Fox
Airbus U030 Flexrotor enters maritime surveillance service in Baltic Sea
The Airbus UAS has entered maritime surveillance service in the Baltic Sea, with Airbus Helicopters supporting EMSA operations across Estonia, Latvia, and Finland
11 Aug 2026
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Chloe Fox
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Industry Moves
Jonathan Britton named President of Helicopter Institute
The former US Army aviation commander will oversee growth across military, government, public safety, and commercial helicopter training programs
31 Aug 2026
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Siân Yates
Kitz-Air acquires three Airbus H225s for aerial firefighting
The heavy helicopters will undergo conversion in Europe before supporting wildfire response operations across Europe and South America
25 Aug 2026
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Siân Yates
Air India, SkyDrive, and Suzuki to assess eVTOL medical logistics in India
The three companies will study whether electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft could support time-critical medical logistics in India’s congested urban environments
10 Aug 2026
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Siân Yates
Life Link III names new President and CEO
Shane Farmer will take on both roles at the air medical provider from the end of July
3 Aug 2026
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Oliver Cuenca
