EQUIPMENT

Helicopters Transports
MedCenter Air’s helicopters can be in the air within five minutes of dispatch. In urgent and/or time sensitive situations, this helicopter service can literally mean the difference between life and death for patients needing immediate care.

MedCenter Air’s helicopters can carry up to two patients. Each carries either two flight nurses or a flight nurse and a respiratory therapist. All of our flight crew members are also cross-credentialed with an EMS certification. These crews always travel with the equipment and supplies needed to begin advanced life support at the scene. From the time helicopter crews leave the hospital until they return, each crew member is in constant contact, via headset, with CMC physicians. Protocols have been established to ensure advanced, life-saving procedures are followed.

MedCenter Air helicopters are used within a 150-mile radius of Charlotte.

Mid-Range Transports
MedCenter Air operates the only fixed-wing medical flight service in North Carolina. Utilizing three pressurized Beechcraft Super King Air 200s, we provide bedside to bedside, nationwide and international medical transport service. Service fees include both the air transport and any ground ambulance services. A family member can accompany the patient on the flight, if approved by the medical crew and pilots.

While fixed-wing planes are staffed to provide emergency and non-emergent care, these flights also include the same flight nurse/respiratory therapist teams that staff the helicopters. Should a patient’s condition change during the flight, MedCenter Air’s highly trained medical crews are on hand to deal with any situation.

The aircraft fly at speeds up to 320 mph, and are generally chosen for flights of more than 150 miles, situations in which speed is essential, or weather conditions that aren’t conducive to helicopters or ground units. Fixed-wing pilots are ranked as either captains or first officers. There are always two pilots aboard each fixed-wing flight, with a captain present on every plane.

In addition, all pilots (captains and first officers) receive simulator training and are certified by SimuFlight, a leading simulator company based in Florida.

All aircraft are professionally maintained by Piedmont Hawthorne Aviation Center and Cessna Citation Service Center.

Only five to 10 percent of our fixed-wing flights originate in or end in Charlotte. MedCenter Air’s fixed-wing service is utilized heavily by outside hospital systems, other transport programs, insurance companies, case managers, discharge planners and the general public. Contracts with hospitals are available. Fixed-wing flights are booked through the communications center.

Long-Range Transports
MedCenter Air also has a Cessna Citation V Jet available when the situation requires rapid transport over great distances. Capable of speeds of more than 400 mph, the jet can transport one adult, one pediatric patient, or two isolettes. MedCenter Air’s jet is used both inside and outside the United States.

Ground Transports
When rapid ground transportation is required, or when helicopters are grounded because of bad weather, our eight ground units take over. MedCenter Air is always available to you — 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Our fleet of ground units includes six mobile critical care units equipped with ventilators, advanced invasive and noninvasive monitoring equipment, redundant heating and air systems and extra oxygen units. Two of these units are dedicated as NICU transport vehicles. Our remaining ground units are basic life support vehicles.

Ground transport units generally operate within a 150-mile radius to transport patients who are hospitalized in stable condition, but need the specialized medical care of a Level 1 Trauma Center and its ancillary services.

Our ground crews are on the road within 10 minutes of dispatch.