Metro Aviation adds Pilatus PC-12 NG air ambulance for Children’s Nebraska
A special missions turboprop enters service with the pediatric transport operator following completion of a dedicated medical interior and mission systems installation
Metro Aviation has taken delivery of a newly outfitted Pilatus PC-12 NG that will provide dedicated pediatric air medical transport services for Children’s Nebraska.
The aircraft was completed by Fargo Jet Center, which carried out the medical interior conversion and systems integration before delivering the aircraft to Metro Aviation, the largest privately held traditional air medical operator in the USA.
The single-engine turboprop has been configured specifically for critical care transport and includes a LifePort PLUS patient loading system, an overhead patient track, a full-height medical cabinet, integrated oxygen outlets, suction and sharps storage, cabin intercom, satellite communications and flight-following capability, along with shore power and additional cabin power supplies to support onboard medical equipment.
A custom exterior paint scheme was also applied by Fargo Jet Center affiliate Premier Jet Center to align with Children’s Nebraska’s existing air and ground transport fleet.
Mike Clancy, Vice President of Technical Services at Fargo Jet Center, said the project demonstrated the company’s ability to integrate maintenance, avionics, paint, and interior completion capabilities into a purpose-built medical aircraft.
Metro Aviation Northwest Regional Maintenance Manager Kort Skinner said the aircraft had been designed to support both patient care and operational requirements and would enter service with Children’s Nebraska following delivery.
For the air medical community, the project highlights the continued use of the Pilatus PC-12 NG as a dedicated fixed-wing air ambulance platform. Its combination of speed, range, and the ability to operate from shorter runways makes the aircraft well suited to pediatric and interfacility critical care transport, particularly in regions where patients may require rapid access to specialist treatment centers.
Fargo Jet Center said it had completed more than 150 special missions aircraft modifications since 1995 across a range of platforms, including aircraft configured for air medical transport, atmospheric research, reconnaissance, and other specialized missions.