Even with the advanced power, speed, and fuel capacity of the twin-engine AW169s, the air ambulance flights over the 110-mile- wide Taiwan Strait are challenging for the crew of two pilots, an EMT 2, mechanic, and sometimes a nurse or doctor if patients are in critical condition. A family member also is allowed to fly along. So the large AW169 size that allows for 360-degree access to patients and the ability to fly for more than three hours is a huge plus.
“Taiwan weather is very tricky,” Lee said. “It changes very fast.” Challenges include the summer typhoon season, autumn monsoon, and strong northeast winds in the winter.
The archipelago of Penghu includes 90 small islands in the Taiwan Straits between the main island and the China mainland, while Matsu features 36 islands. Penghu has a population of about 105,000 that focuses on the tourism and fishing industries.
Since Matsu is only approximately five miles away from China and 106 miles from the Taiwan main island, it has traditionally been a Taiwanese military stronghold since the Chinese Civil War when the Republic of China Nationalists retreated to Taiwan in 1949. Approximately 18,000 troops are stationed at a major missile and radar complex on Matsu, alongside only about 13,000 residents. Named for a sea goddess, Matsu is increasingly popular with tourists who can now visit some of the 256 underground fortifications, tunnels and air-raid shelters constructed during the Cold War to prevent a Communist China invasion. Kinmen County also is much closer to mainland China than Taiwan.
“Taiwan weather is very tricky,” Lee said.
“It changes very fast.” Challenges include the summer typhoon season, autumn monsoon, and strong northeast winds in the winter.
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