Victoria (Australia) HEMS Contract
 

Rumour has it CHC are not the preferred choice for the latest Victoria HEM contract.

No Rumour, confirmed. Thats 2 gone within 12 months.
Now where's that sleeping giants thread?

Who is the preferred choice for the latest Victoria HEMS contract?

Possibly Australian Helicopters, the wholly owned subsidiary of the Avincis group. Another sleeping giant !!!!

Let's hope whoever it is who gets the contract doesn't use Bell 412's.
Noisy buggers!

Mmmmm ....

I would imagine it would be either the trusty B412 :ugh: or the A139 ....

I'm hoping it'll be the 139 ..... :D

5 x AW 139's, contract to start in 2 years.

Seriously! Conservative govt crying poor, do you think they will introduce whizz bang machines when they can't even resolve the paramedics EBA. Bell gravel trucks for another few years.

Maybe that's why CHC are not the preferred bidder, the offered a solution close to the 5 x 139

As someone who enjoys the sound of the bells (gives me ample warning to wander outside to give them a wave) what are the other points of difference in the HEMs role in the Victorian environment between it and the 139?

Mickjoebill

Mmmmm ...

.... what are the other points of difference in the HEMs role in the Victorian environment between it and the 139? ....

Well I would suggest "capability" would be the biggest ... the B412 is really at the end of its development even though Bell would like not to admit it ...

The 139 has a payload & speed advantage and more potential into the future. It is also a bit more capable (but far from perfect) in the single pilot role with respect to SAR, Rescue & IFR ops.

Yes it may well be more expensive to operate ... but the reliability and capability might outweigh that disadvantage.

:E

Do any hems operators in the world have the capability to accommodate 2 x stretchers?
As a cfa vol i attended a motorcycle prang in Victoria; rider and pillion passenger versus truck.
Two hems arrived, one for each patient.
One headed north the other south so the couple unded up 100 miles apart.
Plenty of mica support on the ground so i wondered if a larger heli could have accomidated both (assuming the two medicos were capable of monitoring both patients).
I realise the long term cost effectivness of doing it either way depends on how the figures stack up. Are there many instances where two patients need transport?


Mickjoebill

Mjb

All AAV HEMS have the ability to take two stretcher patients, although the second is put fore and aft in an elevated position on the stbd side and has limited access for inflight care.

It is just as important to get the cas to a trauma centre which has the capacity available. Your example of going in opposite directions indicates that (probably) The Alfred could only take one whilst the second was assessed for an alternative trauma unit.

I've been one of two 412s that went to The Alfred from the same incident with a cas on each; and each one needed intensive work by the team on board all the way. You'd need a very large cabin to manage that with two stretchers and two teams.

STARS AW139's in Canada have a 2 stretcher config. Standard is one, but the second is carried in the baggage bay until needed, then a quick re config in the cabin and in they both go.

Queensland's EMQ Helicopter Rescue (or whatever they happen to be called this week), AW139's and B412's are both able to carry two stretcher patients......

The sleeping giant off to Hibernate.
 

The latest, TOLL vs Australian,
TOLL have 4 to 6 AW139's on order and ready to go for contract start.
Decision out soon.

What is Australian putting forward ...AW139s or 412s (EPIs?)?

Cheers

Any news yet, on who is the preferred tender for the Victorian HEMS contract?

Not to sure about the Toll 139 order. No sign on the unofficial 139 order book site yet.

AgustaWestland AW139 Production List © by: Damiano GUALDONI

This contract was due to be awarded by the end of Feb 14. Maybe they cut the list of potential suppliers down too soon.

Let's just say I was way off the mark with my previous post, I humbly eat my words.