Exploring Air Medical Transport in the U.S.
Chapter 4: EQUIPMENT
What is Carried?
Air ambulance organizations fly with a variety of medical equipment on board. Most organizations operate helicopters, but some have fixed-wing (airplane) fleets as well. Learn about the aircrafts, and the equipment they carry, by exploring the interactive photographs below.
Civilian Air Ambulances
Augusta 109E Helicopter
Operated by: LifeFlight of Maine
Crew: 1 Pilot, 2 Flight Nurses
Special Equipment
Carried by: LifeFlight of Maine
Fixed Wing Aircraft
Beechcraft King B200
Operated by: LifeFlight of Maine
Crew: 2 Pilots, 2 Flight Nurses
LifeFlight of Maine is one of the only civilian air ambulance organizations that has a fixed-wing aircraft. Added in May of 2015, the plane is a Beechcraft King Air B200, which provides faster speed and efficiency in long distances and is able to fly in all sorts of weather. This apparatus is also equipped with the same special equipment that is carried on board the helicopters.
The United States Coast Guard
HH-65 "Delta" Helicopter
Crew: 2 Pilots, 1 Flight Mechanic, 1 Rescue Swimmer
The U.S. Coast Guard operates the H-65 Helicopter during search and rescue (SAR) operations. The aircraft is specially equipped to handle water rescue, and is much faster than a typical civilian air ambulance. There is also much more space for the crew, and patients.
The H-65 At a Glance:
