The choice of helicopter for HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) operations is a difficult one. Whilst cost is a huge factor, there are many subtle elements which go into the selection of a helicopter. This article aims to explore those options and present what an ideal HEMS aircraft would be. In the near future, another…
In an earlier article, I discussed how big a landing site needed to be for UK and European Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) operations. (https://rotarywinggeek.com/2d-or-not-2d-how-much-room-do-i-need-to-land-a-helicopter/). However, this is only part of the story and there is a lot more to choosing a landing site than just the size. Whilst this article is primarily focussed on…
Introduction Following a few recent accidents with aeromedical helicopters, I thought it is time to take a look at what makes a good landing site for a helicopter. I am going to focus on helicopters being used for aeromedical evacuation (in Europe called “Helicopter Emergency Medical Service – HEMS”) as that is the most likely…
Designing hospital helipads so they are safe and efficient is a fine art. A growing body of guidance is provided by the aviation authorities to help with delivering effective capability from day. However, some of the guidance is currently flawed; there is an assumption that bigger helicopters are the most restrictive when actually it’s what…