The PC-24, delivered by aviation company Pilatus, is outfitted with tandem LifePort AeroSled stretchers and five passenger seats, and is the fourth OC-24 to be delivered in a medevac configuration.

The town of Barrow, also known as Utqiagvik, has an average temperature of -26 degrees Celsius in January and the sun does not rise completely until early February. This region with its exceptionally harsh conditions will now be the new home for the PC-24.

In addition to the PC-24, the SAR department currently operates two helicopters and a fixed-wing turboprop aircraft. Many flights are operated from snow and ice packed runways, for which the PC-24 was specifically designed.

April Brooks, Director of North Slope Borough SAR, said: “The PC-24 is a gamechanger when it comes to fast, efficient transport of critical patients across vast distances in our extremely harsh environment. Its unique cargo door, large cabin and ability to safely operate from short, unpaved runways make it ideally suited to our needs.”

Thomas Bosshard, CEO of the Pilatus subsidiary, presented the keys to Mayor Brower and commented: “We are proud of the role our PC-24 will play in supporting the residents of North Slope Borough and the SAR team in the execution of their missions. We are very pleased to see such high demand for the PC-24 as a medevac platform, in addition to its popularity as a business jet. This is exactly the type of versatility we envisioned when we began designing the PC-24 – and now it is a reality.”