Ed Holmes' Soundings - Aeromed Picture Gallery Page-Part Two

--- Part Two ---

Continuation - "1982 to 2007—The recent past & the present"

1996—Nightingale After starting with a Bell Long Ranger 206-L1 in 1982 and then flying a MBB BO-105 for 10 years, Nightingale upgraded to an American-Eurocopter BK-117 during the summer of 1996. This ship, equipped with external O² and the StarBurst search light, has the latest in medical support equipment.

2007—Nightingale's 25th Anniversary Nightingale celebrated its 25th anniversary during 2007. Notably, over these years, Nightingale has launched some 17,000 flights with a perfect safety record ! More than 15,000 patient transports were made benefitting residents of its service area.
On Sept. 8th, a 25th Reunion Celebration of past and current members of the team (some 85 people) was held. It was an memorable affair for an outstanding team !

The below pictures show various interiors and other ships used in the industry.

BK-117 interior This is a shot of the interior of the BK-117's patient compartment. Patient access is via clam-shell doors under the tail boom. An attendant bench, shown on the right side, can be converted to a second patient station. Some programs use a a litter setup for the primary patient while others use a removable patient platform (as seen here). Platforms offer an advantage in both elevating the patient and allowing services and equipment to be built into the unit's base. Litter systems load and off-load more easily. Regardless, both systems can be converted quickly to incorporate balloon pumps, neonatal modules etc..

Bell 412 Some hospitals and public safety agencies use the Bell Helicopter 412 - either as a dedicated ambulance or as a multi-purpose vehicle (Miami Fire). This aircraft, a civilian version of the US Army "Huey", has considerable room in the patient compartment. Because of its large overall size, it requires a fairly large "LZ" - landing zone.

412 patient config. Here, in this Bell 412 photo, is seen a rather typical set-up for the transport of an adult patient. Missions in almost all helicopter ambulances are carried out with an assortment of equipment and supplies that will accommodate most types of patient needs easily—be they trauma victims or critical, inter-hospital transfers. Most are truly "flying ICUs".

412 neonatal config. As mentioned earlier, some transports require very specialized equipment. In this photo, the 412 helicopter is set-up for a neonatal transport. The neonatal module, seen affixed to a litter, contains all services necessary to care for the infant. Again, most aircraft are designed to permit rapid conversions so to not delay timely launches.

Agusta A109 The model shown here is an Agusta A109 used by a California hospital. The 109 also has an EMS conversion package that expands the middle compartment to facilitate transverse loading and patient care. Because of its retractable landing gear, the Agusta is one of the fastest aircraft in the EMS inventory.

MSP Dauphin The Maryland State Police, the US Coast Guard and some hospitals use the Dauphin—a helicopter by Aerospatial (now American Eurocopter) This picture shows a public service setup—special hoist, search light, etc. for this multi-purpose ship (police, rescue, & patient transport service) operated by the Maryland State Police.

Sikorsky S-76 The Sikorsky S-76 has one of the larger patient treatment areas as well as retractable landing gear. Because of its streamlined hull, it also is quite fast (max cruise = 145 kts). For scene work, its main rotor is secured due to a potential for rotor droop.

The newest ships on the line ....

MD 900 The McDonnell Douglas "MD" series of helicopters with NOTAR have a revolutionary anti-torque and directional control system. Air is channeled through an enlarged tail boom that has slots along one edge and a thrust director at the end. This system negates the need for a tail rotor and offers a remarkably quiet aircraft. This picture is of the MD 900 operated by a Pittsburgh hospital program.

EC-135 In August of 1996, American Eurocopter received FAA certification for its newest helicopter—the EC-135. This product fits between the BO-105 and BK-117 ships seen above and offers some advanced features—a bearingless main rotor, a Fenestron tail rotor and heavy use of composite materials. Its large cabin accommodates 7 people and it can fast cruise at 141 kts., carry a useful load of 2,660 lbs., and has an almost hour longer endurance.

Credits and Source Notes:
1.) The photographs on this page are from the personal files / collection of the author with the exception of the generic photos from helicopter manufacturers. Personal (EMHA) photos may be copied provided credit is given for their source.
2.) The below GIF animation, a "fun" banner for E. M. Holmes & Assoc., was modeled after an American Eurocopter BO-105

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Questions or feedback regarding this Gallery page?—Please click here

1996—Nightingale	After starting with a Bell Long Ranger 206-L1 in 1982 and then flying a MBB BO-105 for 10 years, Nightingale upgraded to an American-Eurocopter BK-117 during the summer of 1996. This ship, equipped with external O² and the StarBurst search light, has the latest in medical support equipment.
2007—Nightingale's 25th Anniversary	Nightingale celebrated its 25th anniversary during 2007. Notably, over these years, Nightingale has launched some 17,000 flights with a perfect safety record ! More than 15,000 patient transports were made benefitting residents of its service area. On Sept. 8th, a 25th Reunion Celebration of past and current members of the team (some 85 people) was held. It was an memorable affair for an outstanding team !
The below pictures show various interiors and other ships used in the industry.
BK-117 interior	This is a shot of the interior of the BK-117's patient compartment. Patient access is via clam-shell doors under the tail boom. An attendant bench, shown on the right side, can be converted to a second patient station. Some programs use a a litter setup for the primary patient while others use a removable patient platform (as seen here). Platforms offer an advantage in both elevating the patient and allowing services and equipment to be built into the unit's base. Litter systems load and off-load more easily. Regardless, both systems can be converted quickly to incorporate balloon pumps, neonatal modules etc..
Bell 412	Some hospitals and public safety agencies use the Bell Helicopter 412 - either as a dedicated ambulance or as a multi-purpose vehicle (Miami Fire). This aircraft, a civilian version of the US Army "Huey", has considerable room in the patient compartment. Because of its large overall size, it requires a fairly large "LZ" - landing zone.
412 patient config.	Here, in this Bell 412 photo, is seen a rather typical set-up for the transport of an adult patient. Missions in almost all helicopter ambulances are carried out with an assortment of equipment and supplies that will accommodate most types of patient needs easily—be they trauma victims or critical, inter-hospital transfers. Most are truly "flying ICUs".
412 neonatal config.	As mentioned earlier, some transports require very specialized equipment. In this photo, the 412 helicopter is set-up for a neonatal transport. The neonatal module, seen affixed to a litter, contains all services necessary to care for the infant. Again, most aircraft are designed to permit rapid conversions so to not delay timely launches.
Agusta A109	The model shown here is an Agusta A109 used by a California hospital. The 109 also has an EMS conversion package that expands the middle compartment to facilitate transverse loading and patient care. Because of its retractable landing gear, the Agusta is one of the fastest aircraft in the EMS inventory.
MSP Dauphin	The Maryland State Police, the US Coast Guard and some hospitals use the Dauphin—a helicopter by Aerospatial (now American Eurocopter) This picture shows a public service setup—special hoist, search light, etc. for this multi-purpose ship (police, rescue, & patient transport service) operated by the Maryland State Police.
Sikorsky S-76	The Sikorsky S-76 has one of the larger patient treatment areas as well as retractable landing gear. Because of its streamlined hull, it also is quite fast (max cruise = 145 kts). For scene work, its main rotor is secured due to a potential for rotor droop.