HEMS

[Thomas coupling]

Question for you hems operators.
If you had a clean sheet and had to operate hot and high what would be the best (available) hems platform in the light, medium and heavy category.....and why?

[Thomas coupling]

bump........

[Grenville Fortescue]

TC, to help get it going.

What about these two sets,

Light: EC145T2, Medium: AW139, Heavy: EC225

Light: AW109K2, Medium: EC155B, Heavy: AW189

Considerations include manoeuverability/responsiveness for confined area and rough terrain landings, litter access/egress, available power. 189 is a guess based on preliminary performance claims and the 155 I'm not sure about with regard to the extent of hot and high performance.

Not really my forte but there we are.

[SASless]

How High.....How Hot?

What type of EMS Crew, What kind of Aircraft Medical Equipment, How many Patients you want to carry and be able to work on in-flight? Lots of questions that need to be considered before looking at which airframe you want.

[Hawkeye0001]

Is this strictly a EASA-land question? Because if singles count then for the light category I'd suggest a EC-130. Offers excellent hot & high performance and from a paramedics view it offers simply terrific in-flight patient access and easy loading.

Terrible obscenity... :E

[JimL]

As SASless has intimated.

Strange that such a discussion should start with a question about the platform when really what is important is the operational requirement. Once that is understood (and documented), the (somewhat minor) issue of platform will fall naturally out of it.

Jim

[Thomas coupling]

Thank you for your early responses - I expected nothing less rigorous from you stalwarts. OK the next bit:

The hot and high more specifically could be: Humidity around 85% and temp around 40-50 degrees Celcius.

Job 1: Light general HEMS work one would associate with the general populace. No great distance to transport said casualty(s). Expect max 2 casualties. Max 3 crew including pilot.
What is the best cab?
Job2: A discerning customer requiring perhaps a surgical team onboard together with associated kit. Minimum crewing: 4 including pilot(s). In addition 2 casualties.
What cab fits this scenario best?

Good to hear from the Aussies - some of the finest EMS ops in the world perhaps?

[Thomas coupling]

Anyone out there with medium or heavy EMS experience?

[Mark Six]

AW139 should be on the short list. Operated in OZ in the EMS role in NSW and QLD, so definitely hot and humid at times, although not particularly high. Both operations are single pilot IFR day/night (night sun and NVG), with a normal crew of 4, although this can be increased depending on the job. The NSW machines are kitted out for one patient but can carry 2 if necessary. Empty weight with all the EMS gear and winch is around 5000kg, with MAUW 6400kg (although this can be increased to 6800kg). In NSW normally operated with 1000kg fuel so endurance over 2 hours with fuel burn around 400kg/hour. Loads of power - almost always capable of PC1. Very capable machine in the EMS role. SAR modes available (autohover, search patterns, etc).
On the negative side - the main wheels will often sink up to the axles in soft ground and there's very little clearance between the belly and the ground, so when landing on unprepared sites you need to be careful of ground clearance (rocks, sticks, bushes, etc). Quite an intense downwash which can create havoc when overflying/landing close to your accident scene and cause branches and debris to rain down on your winching victim.

[Thomas coupling]

Excellent Mark - thanks for your views.......