At the 2010 Heli-Expo, one particular helicopter, the Eurocopter EC-145, stood out on the exhibit floor.  Perhaps it was the cartoon paint scheme decorated with lions, elephants, and other fantastical creatures; or perhaps it was the unmistakable words sprawled across the helicopter in bright, shining colors:  “Just for Kids.”  Those three words embody the vital mission of the Children’s Mercy Eurocopter EC-145.

 

Eurocopter’s EC-145 has quickly established itself on the American market as a multi-mission leader, particularly in the air medical services sector.  Like Kansas City’s Children’s Mercy Hospital, many MEDEVAC operators in the United States have selected the EC-145 for their critical transport teams including, among others, Pennsylvania’s EmergyCare/LifeStar, the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center’s LifeFlight, and Vanderbilt LifeFlight.

 

Where minutes can mean the difference between life and death, speed is ever so crucial and the Eurocopter EC-145 delivers; equipped with twin Turbomeca Arriel 1E2 engines, the helicopter is able to cruise at speeds up to 133 kts., at a service ceiling of  up to 17,200 ft.  Several highly developed safety features have also been included on the EC-145; high-set main and tail rotors ensure safe ground operations during critical loading and unloading procedures while the blades are still in motion.  The advanced MEGHAS glass cockpit provides additional safety capabilities including digital autopilot, ground proximity, traffic warning systems, and night vision goggles.

 

Engineers working with Children’s Mercy spent two years custom-building the EC-145 to best service the hospital’s needs.  The EC-145’s extra-large cabin accommodates up to two patients and three medical personal, including all necessary medical equipment needed for in-flight care.  The EC-145 is essentially a fully equipped emergency room in the sky, prepared to handle the most critical of both neonatal and pediatric patients.  In addition, the helicopter features a DVD player to help provide comfort to the smallest of passengers during transport.  Join Aero-TV as Pam Grimmes, a registered nurse with Children’s Mercy Critical Transport, details how the EC-145 is not only transforming the hospital’s capabilities, but also saving lives in the process.

 

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