232808
231507

BC  

Air ambulance given OK

Air ambulance flights in B.C. have been given the OK for take off.

Air ambulance flights operated by BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) partner Helijet International have been permanently restored at all hospital helipads in B.C.

The resumption of flights is thanks to Transport Canada approval of a new flight manual supplement for the Sikorsky S76C+ helicopters used by Helijet. Approval of the new supplement follows months of intensive collaboration between BCEHS, Helijet, Maxcraft Avionics, Sikorsky Aircraft and Transport Canada to test and validate certain flight operating procedures for the aircraft.

Questions raised by Transport Canada last spring resulted in Helijet voluntarily stopping its Sikorsky 76C+ air ambulances from landing at up to seven BC hospital helipads, pending the go-ahead by the federal regulator. Exemptions were granted in some circumstances, while the questions were being addressed. As a result, Helijet flights had already been restored last August at five of the seven hospitals, but remained restricted until now at the Royal Columbian and Surrey Memorial Hospital helipads, where BCEHS was using an alternate service provider.

BCEHS’ primary concern is the safety of its patients and staff. Patient care was protected during this period, by ensuring air ambulance flights carrying patients to affected hospitals were diverted to nearby landing sites. Patients were then transported by ground ambulance, accompanied at all times by highly-skilled paramedics. In all, 37 flights were diverted to other sites.

The matter was eventually resolved when Helijet was able to work with Transport Canada and an independent aviation expert to conduct detailed aircraft testing, resulting in a new “Supplemental Type Certificate” or STC. This Certificate is being permanently added to the S76C+ flight manual documentation and allows Helijet to fully resume landings at the previously restricted helipads. This development may be of benefit to other operators using this aircraft in similar ways.



More BC News