Friday, October 31, 2008 / STARS
STARS unveiled the new high technology AgustaWestland – AW139 helicopter to the air medical community at the annual Air Medical Transport Conference (AMTC) in Minneapolis, Minnesota last week.
The highly anticipated new aircraft, which will fly further and faster than the current fleet of STARS BK117 helicopters, was on display in conjunction with developing partners AgustaWestland, LifePort Inc., Keystone Helicopters and Western Avionics as one of the most advanced rotary-wing air ambulances in the world. These helicopters have a specialized medical interior and with the help of STARS’ highly trained air medical crew, provide airborne intensive care to two critically ill and injured patients. The STARS crew consists of a flight nurse, paramedic and an emergency physician who provides medical advice and referral.
The new helicopter is one of two AW139 helicopters that STARS will utilize to service Alberta and parts of eastern British Columbia. The first aircraft will be based in Edmonton and is anticipated to be certified and accepted for mission service in the spring of 2009 with the second aircraft expected to be in service from Calgary by 2010. STARS will be the first organization in North America to utilize the AW139 in an emergency medical services role.
Each helicopter will be equipped with specialized medical interiors that are the first of their kind in the world due in part to an innovative stretcher loading system and ergonomic layout.
“These helicopters are funded by donations from the people of Alberta and will address critical patient care for the future, today,” said Dr. Greg Powell, President and CEO of STARS. “Providing a preview to fellow providers in the air medical community in Minneapolis was an opportunity to share information on innovation in patient care.”
The new helicopters were funded through a STARS’ provincial capital campaign called “Vision Critical.” Fundraising for the operational costs including pilot and crew training will continue this year, and through the 2009 STARS Lottery campaign.
Information on the arrival of the new aircraft in Canada will be made available pending Transport Canada certification.
STARS (the Alberta Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society) is a non-profit, charitable organization providing airborne intensive care to critically ill and injured patients. Patient care and transport, emergency medical communications, education and research, and fundraising and community partnerships are significant pillars of the STARS program. Since it began in 1985, STARS has flown more than 17,200 missions. For more information please visit STARS online at
http://www.stars.ca/.