Operational news updates
General Atomics sells first Do228 NXT to launch customer
The aircraft will be delivered to an unnamed humanitarian organization early next year
17 Jun 2026
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Oliver Cuenca
Cabin control: who belongs on the aircraft?
The long-running debate over who should crew medical aircraft reflects deeper disagreements over system design, clinical responsibility, regional capabilities, and operational risk, reports Siân Yates
16 Jun 2026
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Siân Yates
Dauntless Air acquired by Ridgewood Infrastructure
The takeover will see Ridgewood invest in operational capabilities and other growth initiatives to develop Dauntless’s capabilities
16 Jun 2026
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Oliver Cuenca
Aero-Dienst to acquire second Challenger 650
The Nuremberg-based operator will use the aircraft to provide long-distance medical transportation on behalf of its parent company, ADAC
16 Jun 2026
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Oliver Cuenca
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Latest Issue
June 2026
Issue
As the northern hemisphere heats up for another hot summer, I’m pleased to bring you the aerial firefighting edition of AirMed&Rescue. We have features on how climate change is accelerating firefighting technology; the improvements in Australian firefighting capacity; and getting ahead of wildfires before they become unmanageable.
Australia’s firefighting surge capacity
A few years after the worst fires in modern Australian history, new capacity and technology have been put in place. Rob Coppinger reports
1 Jun 2026
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Rob Coppinger
Industry voice: Advancing new frontiers in patient-centered care
The International Community for Aeromedical Research and Universal Standards (ICARUS) is seeking the buy-in of air medical professionals around the world to share data and collaborate to achieve better outcomes
1 Jun 2026
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Dr Ina Schmidt
Provider profile: Titan Aerial Firefighting
Oliver Cuenca speaks to Carlos A Craveiro, Director of Flight Operations at Titan Aerial Firefighting, about the expansion of its work fighting forest fires in Spain and beyond
1 Jun 2026
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Oliver Cuenca
Getting ahead of wildfires: becoming proactive as opposed to reactive
Proactive approaches for fire management are making a difference to wildfire response and success. Barry D Smith speaks to the people who are engaging in fighting wildfires using a prognostic...
1 Jun 2026
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Barry D Smith
Event review: Aerial Fire Fighting Global 2026
Rome – Enhancing outcomes: the latest edition of Aerial Fire Fighting Global showcased over 60 exhibitors, with 30 sessions, and brought together nearly 50 countries. Jon Adams attended the event...
1 Jun 2026
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Jon Adams
Gallery: Wildfire fighting on Gran Canaria island
Peter Ten Berg visited the Spanish Forest Fire Operations Unit on Gran Canaria to find out about its mission to combat wildfires across the Canary Islands
1 Jun 2026
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Peter Ten Berg
Special report: Dashing into the fray
Jon Adams looks at what makes the Dash 8-400 the ideal candidate for Conair’s successful and ongoing program of conversion and operation of the platform as an airtanker
1 Jun 2026
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Jon Adams
Climate change and aerial firefighting technology
As climate change lengthens wildfire seasons across hemispheres and increases outbreak frequency and fire size, Jennifer Ferrero asks what new technologies are being developed to address this growing threat
1 Jun 2026
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Jennifer Ferrero
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HEMS/SAR
Cabin control: who belongs on the aircraft?
The long-running debate over who should crew medical aircraft reflects deeper disagreements over system design, clinical responsibility, regional capabilities, and operational risk, reports Siân Yates
16 Jun 2026
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Siân Yates
Malteser AeroMedical opens new air ambulance base in Vienna
New Vienna base strengthens Malteser AeroMedical’s European network, improving response times across Central and Eastern Europe
15 Jun 2026
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Chloe Fox
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance opens new Southampton, UK, airport base
The service has relocated operations to Southampton Airport, aiming to reduce response times across the region
12 Jun 2026
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Siân Yates
Romania orders 12 Airbus H160 and H145 helicopters for emergency and security missions
Romania is modernizing its emergency and security aviation capability under the EU’s SAFE program with a 12-helicopter Airbus order to strengthen rescue, surveillance, and public protection operations
11 Jun 2026
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Chloe Fox
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Emergency Services
General Atomics sells first Do228 NXT to launch customer
The aircraft will be delivered to an unnamed humanitarian organization early next year
17 Jun 2026
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Oliver Cuenca
Dauntless Air acquired by Ridgewood Infrastructure
The takeover will see Ridgewood invest in operational capabilities and other growth initiatives to develop Dauntless’s capabilities
16 Jun 2026
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Oliver Cuenca
Aero-Dienst to acquire second Challenger 650
The Nuremberg-based operator will use the aircraft to provide long-distance medical transportation on behalf of its parent company, ADAC
16 Jun 2026
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Oliver Cuenca
Thrush to supply three firefighting planes to Guatemala
The first aircraft is due for delivery this month, and will be used to support the Central American country’s emergency response capabilities
10 Jun 2026
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Oliver Cuenca
Avionics and Technology
GPMS wins DGCA approval for Foresight MX HUMS on Bell 429 in India
GPMS International has secured DGCA validation of the FAA STC for its Foresight MX HUMS on the Bell 429 in India, enabling operators to adopt predictive maintenance technology across the...
17 Jun 2026
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Chloe Fox
Transall Tankers integrates FireVision intelligence system into C-160 firefighting aircraft
The partnership brings near real-time situational awareness tools to the C-160 platform as Transall Tankers advances certification of its next-generation aerial firefighting capability for operations in Australia
12 Jun 2026
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Chloe Fox
Airbus unveils uncrewed H145 helicopter
A maiden flight of the new aircraft, called the U145, is due to be launched by the end of 2026
8 Jun 2026
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Oliver Cuenca
Momentum Aeronautics receives Brazilian approval for AT-802 float platform
The Brazilian civil aviation regulator has authorized the use of the company’s Heatwave amphibious float platform, which is designed for aerial firefighting operations
20 May 2026
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Oliver Cuenca
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Simulation and Training
Poland upgrades HEMS pilot training with EC135 simulator amid modernization drive
Poland’s medical air service has expanded its pilot training capability after introducing an EC135 simulator aimed at improving safety and reducing flight hours
9 Jun 2026
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Editorial Team
Entrol secures first Brazil simulator certification
The ANAC-approved H145 device strengthens Entrol’s expansion into the Brazilian market while enhancing advanced helicopter and IFR training capabilities for Safety Flight
2 Jun 2026
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Chloe Fox
New NSW Ambulance training hub strengthens air medical rescue capability
The Australian air ambulance provider has launched a new air medical training facility using simulation, winch, and vertical access systems to enhance helicopter rescue capability
1 Jun 2026
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Siân Yates
Iowa’s University of Dubuque launches two-year helicopter operations course
The course will offer an alternative to a traditional four-year degree, and is designed to encourage new pilots to enter the special missions sector
27 May 2026
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Oliver Cuenca
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Drones
Drone-as-first-responder program planned for Fort Worth, Texas
The program will utilize solutions developed by Flock to support the provision of real-time situational awareness to officers on the ground
15 Jun 2026
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Oliver Cuenca
Police in Missouri, US, announce DFR program plans
The plans – currently awaiting approval – would feature six BRINC-manufactured UAVs stationed throughout the city
8 Jun 2026
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Oliver Cuenca
Dallas, Texas, launches drone-as-first-responder program
Eight drones, stationed around the city of Dallas, will be used by police and firefighters to reach and assess the scene of incidents ahead of the arrival of human responders
29 May 2026
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Oliver Cuenca
Everdrone opens new drone launch site in Borås, Sweden
The new drone base brings drone first response coverage across the Västra Götaland Region to 300,000 residents
5 May 2026
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Oliver Cuenca
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Industry Moves
Columbia Helicopters appoints new President and CEO
Melanie Bergier previously served as the company’s COO, and also brings years of experience in the aerospace sector to the role
14 May 2026
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Oliver Cuenca
Spectrum Aeromed announces two new appointments
The aircraft medical interiors specialist has appointed Grant Ramage and Paul Sayler to new roles in engineering and project management
7 May 2026
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Oliver Cuenca
Wyoming Bucket appoints new President
Michael Powell, previously of Isolair, will bring his expertise in the aerial firefighting equipment sector to the role
23 Apr 2026
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Oliver Cuenca
TracPlus announces new CEO
Todd O’Hara will replace John O’Hara, who will transition to the role of President from next month
20 Apr 2026
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Oliver Cuenca
