Best Helicopter

Specialties Flight

Published

Nurses Month 2024 | Discounts & Freebies AORN Celebrates Nurses Month

  1. Best Air Medical Helicopter

    • 15
      Sikorsky S-76
    • 4
      Bell 230/430
    • 6
      Bell 407
    • 16
      BK-117
    • 19
      Other

60 members have participated

ANyone have preferences on the best helicopter for Air Medical? The service where I go to school used to fly the Sikorsky S-76 and recently switched to the Bell 230. I think that they like it ok now, but really griped because everyone said that the S-76 was "the best." I was wondering if that's because it's all they knew, or if it really is "the best". Anyone have experience with a different type and like it more?

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Specializes in Neurology, Neurosurgerical & Trauma ICU.

Bryan....

I don't do flight nursing, but I am very intersted in it and your thread caught my eye.

My hospital was the first medical-transport program in the northeastern US and they have been doing it for 25 years!! We serve 5 states, so needless to say, they have to have the best equipment available!

Here is the address to their site....this is the page with the helicopters that they use. Also take some time to check out the gallery, they have some great pics!

http://www.wpahs.org/agh/lf/aircraft.htm

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ANyone have preferences on the best helicopter for Air Medical? The service where I go to school used to fly the Sikorsky S-76 and recently switched to the Bell 230. I think that they like it ok now, but really griped because everyone said that the S-76 was "the best." I was wondering if that's because it's all they knew, or if it really is "the best". Anyone have experience with a different type and like it more?

Hey Brian,

A couple of thoughts. All the aircraft you listed are "nice" aircraft. They would all be considered mid to large aircraft. There are so many factors to look at when selecting an aircraft. A big one is price and maintaining cost. That is why you see so many Bell 206, A-stars etc used. They are smaller and are cheaper. Notice I didn't say unsafe as a single vs multi engine makes no difference when you look at accident rates. Next all the aircraft will have different Blade height with regard to main rotor and tail rotor. -something to keep in mind for safety sake. Now you have listed as I said the top dogs of aircraft if you included the Dauphin 365 and the Augusta 109P. Lets start with the 407- nice, has room but some would say underpowered. 230 and 430 are nice and roomy with more power. BK117 is one of the only aircraft that was made for Law/EMS. Nice and powerfull had adequate room with some other positives (later). The S-76 is big big lots and lots of room and lots of power depending on the model. Remember all aircrafts listed usually have a A,B,C generation models and some come with more powerfull engines. OK room and power issues aside. WHat does the program usually do with there aircraft. If you take alot of balloon pump and Isolette transfers then you need room and power. Try putting a IABP and a VAD in a 206 or an A-star and you find out quick about room. Are you doing alot of scene work where you need to pull alot of power landing and getting out of your LZ- you need more power. Are you transporting two patients- you need room and power. Do you take ride alongs and residents- again more room and power. Last I will mention this. All the bell helicopters listed as well as the S-76 and dauphin are side loaders. You load through the side door. You will need to carry the patient to the helicopter on scenes and use the hospitals cart on interfacility transport. The BK-117 is a "butt loader". It has its on strecther system similar to an ambulance and you can roll the patient right up to the back and load them. - downfall is you need to be carefull of that tail rotor. Last -size doesn't always eqaute to better. Try putting an S-76 in a small little LZ. All have advantages and disadvantages. I believe I am familiar with the program you are refering too with regard to switch from a S-76 to 230. Hey I would be upset too if I lost the room and power but on the flip side if you went from a 206 or a-star to a 230 you would be doing backflips with all the room and power. I have flown in Bell 222 (230), A-star, Dauphin and BK117. I prefer the BK117 as I like the convinenece of the self loading the tall main rotor powerfull engines(twin 750's). Down fall is the rigid rotor gives you a "rough" transition ride on lift off and landing- hence the nickname vomit comit. Hope this helps. And actually I would be happy to fly in any of the listed aircraft. There are much worse options.

Qanik

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Another popular option is the EC135. A tad smaller than the BK, but still rear loading, has a shrouded tail rotor, none of the infamous BK shake, and is QUIET. Access to the anything below the patient's waist is appearently a bit tough, but it's a much better EMS bird than an Astar or Jetranger.

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Specializes in Emergency.

That and they dont make the BK117 anymore it was replaced by the EC145.

rj:rolleyes:

Another popular option is the EC135. A tad smaller than the BK, but still rear loading, has a shrouded tail rotor, none of the infamous BK shake, and is QUIET. Access to the anything below the patient's waist is appearently a bit tough, but it's a much better EMS bird than an Astar or Jetranger.
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