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Air Evac Lifeteam Receives Approval To Begin NVG Program
Air Evac Lifeteam, the largest independently owned air medical service in the United States, has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to use Night Vision Goggles as part of its operations.
Air Evac is purchasing 25 sets of ANVIS 9 goggles, manufactured by ITT Technologies and will begin training with them at air medical bases in eastern Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia.
“This is an exciting time for Air Evac Lifeteam as we move into this new phase of operations,” said Director of Operations Stu Buckingham. “Having this additional resource available will enhance our operations and will increase the comfort level of our pilots and crews when flying night missions.
“Safety has always been paramount in this company as we work to create the safest working environment possible for our crews and our patients,” Buckingham added. “This is another step we are taking to increase safety within the company and stay abreast of new technology and advancements in the field of aviation and EMS.”
Air Evac Lifeteam Bell 206 LongRanger helicopters are in the process of being reconfigured to meet NVG compatibility requirements and pilots and medical crewmembers using the new equipment will begin undergoing an extensive training program, approved by the FAA.
Buckingham said this new technology, paired with Air Evac’s recent implementation of Garmin 396 GPS systems with XM weather, will increase the capability of company pilots to evaluate both terrain and current weather systems in support of Air Evac’s lifesaving mission.
“The Garmin systems have been installed in all aircraft, giving all company pilots the ability to have near real-time weather data available at their fingertips while in the cockpit,” Buckingham explained. “Air Evac has not experienced a single weather-related incident or accident in more than 17 years of operation, and we’re proud to have this new technology available to help us continue that tradition of safe operations.”
Air Evac Lifeteam is a leading provider of air medical transportation to rural communities, providing patients high caliber on-the-scene medical attention during the critical hour following an accident or medical emergency, and rapid transport to leading medical centers. The membership-supported air ambulance service operates 74 in 12 centrally-located states.
For more information about Air Evac Lifeteam services, call 1-800-793-0010 or visit www.lifeteam.net
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