Latest News

Rega purchases Challenger 650 simulator

The simulator will be based at the Lufthansa Aviation Training facility near Zurich

Berry Aviation and Columbia Helicopters win Philippine airlift support contract

The contract is scheduled to start in August and has a base year and two one-year options

9.-Photo-RACQ-LifeFlight-Rescue-helicopter

LifeFlight to receive record amount of funding from Queensland Government

The funding will contribute to upgrading aircraft and equipment

UAV Systems orders 50 drones

Parallel Flight Technologies has signed a contract to deliver 50 heavy-lift drones to India’s UAV Systems

San Antonio to buy new H125s

The city council of San Antonio, in the US state of Texas, has allocated US$23.2 million for the purchase of three new police helicopters

Conair Dash 8-400AT - Photo by Steve Whitby

New aerial firefighting airtanker for Canada

The Dash 8-400 airtanker, while new to Canada, has been operating since 2005

RACQ CapRescue has near-record month of rescues in May

Operational costs reached a new high, breaking the previous record from January 2023

Grand Rapids police propose drone purchase

The police department of Grand Rapids, Michigan, will propose the purchase of six drones with a combined cost of US$100,000

More News

June 2023 Edition

Flood rescue in Southern California

At the start of the year, Southern California experienced intense flooding. Barry D Smith examines what it takes to alert, inform and rescue people at short notice from extreme weather…

How MROs approached supply chain difficulties during the Covid-19 pandemic

David Pearl explores how several MROs approached supply chain and other challenges related to the pandemic, illustrating their fearless determination, adaptability, creativity, and willingness both to recognize and embrace new…

Recruitment top tips

Whether it is for SAR, EMS, aerial firefighting or airborne law enforcement, operators are required to find and develop the right people. Mario Pierobon examines the strategies and tactics for…

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Sustainability in engineering

Disruptive fuel and aircraft technologies are playing a key role in the aviation industry’s contributions to achieving global sustainability targets. Experts share with Lauren Haigh how they are approaching the…

Tiltrotors: an unparalleled capability

Dr Joetey Attariwala gets first-hand experience of flight in a tiltrotor and discovers what makes them a superlative alternative to helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft for special missions

Provider Profile: Lucy Air Ambulance for Children

Oliver Cuenca speaks to Dr Lee Collier, Medical Advisor for Lucy Air Ambulance for Children (Lucy AAC), about the charity’s work providing pediatric medical transport

Interview: Sean Bryan – REVA’s Director of Medical Operations – Western Hemisphere

Knowing the demands of flight nursing inside and out, Sean Bryan, REVA’s Director of Medical Operations – Western Hemisphere, explains to Jon Adams why fixed-wing healthcare is so important to…

Fernando Rivero Diaz, Spanish Civil Guard Mountain Rescue Service

Interview: Capitán Fernando Rivero Diaz, PLM del Servicio de Montaña de la Guardia Civil

Capitán Fernando Rivero Diaz, PLM del Servicio de Montaña de la Guardia Civil, discusses the demanding training and broad remit of the Spanish Civil Guard Mountain Rescue Service with Jon…

Industry voice: Continuing your critical care transport training

Accreditation and continuing education are important for maintaining skills and the latest knowledge of flight nurses. Kelley Holdren, President of ASTNA, explains

Industry voice: International Helicopter Hoist and Hoist Medical Transport Accreditations

In view of the dangers associated with hoist operations, accreditation ensures that the helicopter hoist operations are conducted safely and efficiently, Amy Arndt, Program Director at National Accreditation Alliance of…

Gallery: Italian coast guard training

With the majesty of Mount Etna looming in the background on the Sicilian coast, the Catania Guardia Costiera dusk training is captured by Peter ten Berg

Simulator training for autorotations – then, now and when?

The benefits of simulation training for autorotations are explored by Mandy Langfield, as well as the new technology enabling more effective preparation for what is probably one of the worst…

The engineers keeping HEMS and SAR special missions flying

Behind the scenes, engineers keep SAR, HEMS and aerial firefighting aircraft in the air – Robin Gauldie talks to some of them about their inspiration and drivers

Neonatal transportation in the west of the USA

Amy Gallagher provides a comprehensive look at the clinical issues of neonatal transportation as shared by the experts: NICU transport nurses in the ‘Wild West’

Going big: Large and very large aerial firefighting airtankers

Operators of large and very large airtankers talk to Barry D Smith to discover the benefits and considerations of managing a fleet of these specialized fixed-wing aircraft

Interview: Tim de Jonge, Medical Manager for the Netherlands at Bristow

Tim de Jonge, winchman, technical crew instructor and paramedic, talks to Jon Adams about his varied international career and the knowledge, experience and training required for his work

Interview: Cameron Chell, CEO at Draganfly

Draganfly’s capabilities, services and future in a growing drone market were discussed by Cameron Chell with Jon Adams

Industry voice: Aerial firefighting with single engine airtankers (SEATs)

As the fire season extends and becomes more unpredictable, a rapid initial attack is needed to contain and control the spread before it becomes unmanageable – Air Tractor has a…

Industry voice: The Standard approach to MRO engineer recruitment

Recruitment and retention are important in any business, Jeff Osato explains the methods behind StandardAero’s processes for finding and keeping the best employees

Provider Profile: Coulson Aviation Australia

Coulson Aviation Australia’s firefighting activities and training were discussed by Britt Coulson and Nathan Soster with Oliver Cuenca

Gallery: Avalanche training

Dino Marcellino photographs and reports on the avalanche training of the Soccorso Alpino Valdostano (Aosta Valley Mountain Rescue) in the Italian Alps

Government or contract? Aerial firefighting around the world

Robin Gauldie looks at the different approaches to short-term and respond-as-needed aerial firefighting contracts around the world

Drop it like it’s hot: buckets versus tanks

Buckets and tanks both have advantages when helicopter firefighting – but which has the edge? Barry Smith investigates

Data measurement in aerial firefighting

Can data collection and visualization save lives and property in firefighting? A story from the perspectives of those collecting and using the data

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April Interviews

Interview: Ephraim Nowak, Co-Founder and Chief Engineer at Rain

When it Rains, it pours: Jon Adams spoke to Ephraim Nowak about innovative aerial firefighting solutions, utilizing UAS and AI for quicker and safer operations

Interview: Stu Sprung, Chief of Flight Operations, Aviation Management Unit, CAL FIRE

Fighting fire in California: Jon Adams spoke with Stu Sprung about the CAL FIRE approach to tackling fires with one of the world’s largest dedicated aerial firefighting fleets

AirMedandRescue speaks to Gretchen Carrougher

Interview: Gretchen J Carrougher, Research Nurse Supervisor for the University of Washington (UW) Medicine Regional Burn Center

A team effort: Mandy Langfield talks to Gretchen J Carrougher, Research Nurse Supervisor and Chair of BCEN CBRN ECRC, about her career in burn nursing

A quest for knowledge: air medical evacuation high-level containment transport

Jocelyn Herstein, Claire Figi and Shawn Gibbs call for a global discussion and consensus regarding air medical evacuation high-level containment transport

Achieving international standards certification for aerial firefighting craft

Dan Carnelly talks to Jon Adams about the proposal to ICAO to introduce a new standard for airworthiness certification

The right resources at the right time: approaches for different wildfires across the globe

Jeff Berry, an aerial firefighter with Conair, talked to AirMed&Rescue about adapting to different wildfire environments across the globe

Provider Profile: Aero-Flite Aerial Firefighting

Oliver Cuenca spoke to Chris Niemann, General Manager at Aero-Flite about his company’s firefighting operations and plans to expand its fleet

Event review: HAI HELI-EXPO 2023

The world’s largest helicopter trade show returns this year, AirMed&Rescue reports on some of the latest and most compelling advances and announcements

Critical Care Transport Medicine Conference 2023

31st annual Critical Care Transport Medicine Conference to take place in Denver, Colorado

Airmedandrescue speaks to Peter Wheatley

Interview: Peter Wheatley, VP and General Manager, Helicopters, at StandardAero

Excellence as Standard: Jon Adams spoke with Peter Wheatley about his influences, experiences and working principles

AirMedandRescue speaks to Samuel Summermatter

Interview: Samuel Summermatter

Air rescue at its peak: Jon Adams spoke to Samuel Summermatter, Flight Operation Manager and Pilot at Air Zermatt in Switzerland, about mountain rescue operations in the Swiss Alps

Industry voice: Learning the lessons of hybrid teaching

Covid-19 has changed the face of education in aeromedical transport, as Dr Terry Martin – a Consultant in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, and Director of CCAT Aeromedical Training –…

Going big: Large and very large aerial firefighting airtankers

Operators of large and very large airtankers talk to Barry D Smith to discover the benefits and considerations of managing a fleet of these specialized fixed-wing aircraft

Industry voice: Aerial firefighting with single engine airtankers (SEATs)

As the fire season extends and becomes more unpredictable, a rapid initial attack is needed to contain and control the spread before it becomes unmanageable – Air Tractor has a…

Provider Profile: Coulson Aviation Australia

Coulson Aviation Australia’s firefighting activities and training were discussed by Britt Coulson and Nathan Soster with Oliver Cuenca

Rega purchases Challenger 650 simulator

The simulator will be based at the Lufthansa Aviation Training facility near Zurich

Berry Aviation and Columbia Helicopters win Philippine airlift support contract

The contract is scheduled to start in August and has a base year and two one-year options

LifeFlight to receive record amount of funding from Queensland Government

The funding will contribute to upgrading aircraft and equipment

RACQ CapRescue has near-record month of rescues in May

Operational costs reached a new high, breaking the previous record from January 2023

Avionics

Increasing safety through situational awareness enhancement tools

How do FlySight’s products enhance situational awareness of pilots and thereby increase safety margins for emergency services operations like HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Services) and SAR (Search and Rescue)?

Putting the pilot first

Avionics upgrades are key to safer, more effective rescue missions, so AirMed&Rescue spoke to industry experts about the remarkable advancements in helicopter technology and what could be in the pipeline

Future pathways for SAR equipment and communications

International companies share perspectives on techniques and technology for air ambulance search and rescue, writes Jennifer Ferrero

Interview: Sean Bryan – REVA’s Director of Medical Operations – Western Hemisphere

Knowing the demands of flight nursing inside and out, Sean Bryan, REVA’s Director of Medical Operations – Western Hemisphere, explains to Jon Adams why fixed-wing healthcare is so important to…

Industry voice: Continuing your critical care transport training

Accreditation and continuing education are important for maintaining skills and the latest knowledge of flight nurses. Kelley Holdren, President of ASTNA, explains

Provider Profile: Lucy Air Ambulance for Children

Oliver Cuenca speaks to Dr Lee Collier, Medical Advisor for Lucy Air Ambulance for Children (Lucy AAC), about the charity’s work providing pediatric medical transport

Neonatal transportation in the west of the USA

Amy Gallagher provides a comprehensive look at the clinical issues of neonatal transportation as shared by the experts: NICU transport nurses in the ‘Wild West’

Latest on Medics

Pilots

South African-based Ultimate Aviation Group purchases Offshore Helicopter Services Ltd

CHC agrees to sell UK offshore operations

CHC Helicopter Group has agreed to the sale of Offshore Helicopter Services UK (OHS UK) to the South African-based Ultimate Aviation Group

The training solution of the future for helicopter hoist operations

Martin Keil, CTO and Director of Business Development for Reiser Simulation & Training, spoke to AirMed&Rescue about plans for 2023 and the launch of hoistAR, a holistic helicopter hoist training…

Western Australia Police Dauphin decommissioned

The end of an era recently came at Police Air Wing with the decommissioning of helicopter Polair 62

Keeping a clear head

As President of AT Phillips and co-inventor of the ATS Device, Tyson Phillips is perfectly placed to understand the seriousness of Spatial Disorientation

Latest on Pilots