Helicopter Critical Care Transport

• Twin engines
• IFR capabilities
• Satellite tracked
• Night vision goggles
• Advanced medical equipment including cardiac monitors, ventilators, IV infusion pumps, advanced drug supply and an intra-aortic balloon pump
• 2 units of whole blood

• MedCenter Air’s helicopter pilots are provided under contract from Air Methods Corporation and hold FAA helicopter certificates with instrument helicopter ratings.
• Pilots have logged at least 3,000 hours of helicopter flight time and 1,000 hours in turbine helicopters.

• Crew members have RN/RN, RN/RRT or RN/Paramedic configuration.
• Nurses and therapists have 3 to 5 years of experience in ICU or ER medicine and must be cross credentialed with EMS certifications.
• Crew receives advanced training in aeromedical physiology, aircraft safety and transport protocols.
• Additional requirements include TNCC/TPATC, ITLS, ATLS, ACLS, PALS, BLS, STABLE, NRP-certified.
• All crew undergo quarterly simulation training.

Capabilities include:

• VAD (ventricular assist device)
• IMPELLA^®
• IABP (intra-aortic balloon pump)
• Nitric
• Initiate and carry own blood products

Specialized respiratory services include:

• Video laryngoscopy
• Nitric oxide
• Hamilton T-1
• Heated, high-flow O2
• Blood gas analysis

Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center, in Charlotte, NC, has three roof-top helipads that are used strictly for authorized Air Medical Helicopter Services transporting critically ill or injured patients to the hospital. Private or charter helicopter services are not permitted to land on these helipads.

Prior authorization to land at any Atrium Health facility helipad must be obtained by contacting our Communications Center.

Helicopter Approach and Departure Procedures:

• Note: maximum gross weight limitation of Helipad 1 and 2 are 10,000lbs and Helipad 3 is 11,000lbs
• Contact Charlotte Approach on 120.05 when 20 to 25 miles out from our main hospital.
• Notify Approach that you are inbound to Carolinas Medical Center and obtain clearance into Class B Airspace prior to penetrating the 7 NM arc around the Charlotte VOR (115.0).
• Contact MedCenter Air Dispatch (FlightWatch) on primary 155.325 - PL 10 (91.5) or secondary 123.025.
• Recommend 1500' - 1800' MSL for altitude.
• Fly to a point just south of the skyscrapers of Charlotte (approximately 1/4 mile). Fly over top of the large hotel next to the Interstate 277.
• Contact MedCenter Air FlightWatch and report "North IP for Pad?"
• Follow the four-lane road (Kings Drive) southwest leading from the interstate area towards Carolinas Medical Center. When near the hospital at 500' AGL, make the turn toward Pad 1, 2 or 3.
• Avoid flying any other route into or out of the hospital for noise abatement. Avoid low flight over residential areas near the hospital.
• If the patient's condition is extremely critical, you can fly directly to the helipads. However, notify MedCenter Air Flight Watch or one of our crew members so a flight deviation report can be completed.
• For departure from CMC helipad, contact MCA (FlightWatch) on primary 155.325 - PL 10 (91.5) or secondary 123.025 prior to start, then Charlotte ATC Tower while on the helipad on frequency 118.1. When communications with Charlotte Tower is established, advise the tower of your intentions, and request clearance to depart the pad and proceed. Do not depart the helipad without an ATC clearance, since the helipad is located inside Charlotte Class B Surface Area.

CMC Helicopter Landing Pads

Contact MedCenter Air

For more information, call us at 800-421-9195 or 704-512-7941. Or, email us

Landing Zone Operations -- "LZ Ops" -- is an educational opportunity that includes a lecture and hands-on education on how to safely locate and setting up a landing zone for an air medical helicopter. It also covers EMS operations around the helicopters as well as identifying appropriate patients for helicopter evacuation. Please email us to arrange a class.