Hanga Talk
The base will decrease transport times from area hospitals and other receiving locations substantially. The two-hour drive between Los Alamos and Albuquerque can be completed in just over 35 minutes in the now permanently stationed Classic Air Medical Bell 407.
“The addition of a Helicopter air ambulance in Los Alamos will provide the community with a critical service in the time of an emergency,” said Wade Patten, program director. “Our goal is to decrease transport times during these emergencies and we are proud to serve the people of this community.”
closer aircraft spacing as well as capacity improvements in high-traffi c areas due to more accurate position reporting for air traffi c control and airborne aircraft.
Metro Aviation Completes STC to Meet FAA Mandates for the AS350B3
Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast or ADS-B is a hot topic in the aviation industry. Operators have been diligently working to equip their fl eets with the required equipment to meet the FAA’s 2020 deadline, and Metro Aviation recently made the requirement a possibility for AS350B3 operators.
“Metro had the opportunity to obtain the ADS-B STC in conjunction with a fl eet order of AS350B3s. Not only will future aircraft installations benefi t from the STC, but we will be able to retrofi t older aircraft more easily,” said Metro Aviation Managing Director Milton Geltz.
GPS coordinates reported by ADS-B are more accurate and consistent than current radar positions, and the system is easier and more cost-eff ective to deploy than traditional ground radar. The FAA is mandating ADS-B Out in all U.S. airspace where transponders are currently required. If all aircraft were equipped, the IFR environment could accommodate
14 February 2015
The FAA has also mandated all air ambulances to have a Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System (HTAWS) on board by 2017. Metro now holds the STC for installing HTAWS on the AS350B3 to ensure completion customers can meet the proposed deadline with the correct equipment. HTAWS is a signifi cant safety measure for today’s aircraft and Metro’s diligence and persistence in getting installation approval for the AS350B3 is another example of the company’s steadfast dedication to safety. “As with the ADS-B requirement for the entire U.S. aviation community, Metro was able to run a parallel program on the HTAWS,” added Geltz. “While the industry has been installing various terrain warning systems, some which include the exact same equipment under fi eld approval, the FAA rule requires all installations to meet STC/ TSO criteria.”
The FAA’s fi nal rule for the air ambulance sector comes fi ve years after the National Transportation
Safety Board (NTSB)
highlighted the industry’s accident rate. The fi nal ruling addresses most of the NTSB’s safety recommendations for air ambulances.
on the ground, and a fl ight instructor with perhaps more time in one of the world’s most popular training helicopters than anyone else in the world.
The Salute to Excellence Awards recognize those who, through either a single act or a lifetime of service and dedication, exemplify the best of the helicopter industry.
• The Lightspeed Aviation Excellence in Communications Award — Michael Hirschberg
• The W.A. “Dub” Blessing Award (Flight Instructor of the Year) — Simon Spencer-Bower
• The Rolls-Royce Excellence in Helicopter Maintenance Award — Patrick Cox
• The MD Helicopters Law Enforcement Award — U.S. Park Police “Eagle 1” Aviation Unit
• The Airbus Helicopters Golden Hour Award — Snohomish Co. Helicopter Rescue Team
• The Safety Award — Edwin McConkey
• The Sikorsky Humanitarian Service Award — Portuguese Air Force 751 Squadron
• The Appareo Systems Pilot of the Year Award — Gary Dahlen
• The Bell Helicopter Lifetime Achievement Award — Lou Bartolotta
The Salute to Excellence Awards will be presented March 4 at the annual Salute to Excellence Awards dinner at Heli-Expo.
HAI Announces Winners of the Salute to Excellence Awards
The Helicopter Association International (HAI)
recently announced the winners of its acclaimed Salute to Excellence Awards in nine categories. They include, among others, two helicopter search- and-rescue (SAR) teams, a fi refi ghting pilot who refused to give up on a crew
Eagle Copters 407HP Receives FAA Certifi cation
Eagle Copters Ltd. recently announced the receipt of Federal Aviation Administration certifi cation for its Eagle 407HP.
Less than two weeks after announcing
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