LIFE FORCE Aircraft

Bell 407 - Two Aircraft Using Visual Flight Rules (VFR)

Erlanger has upgraded from the BH206 to the BH407. The BH407 provides enhanced aircraft performance. It is a single engine aircraft which provides 674 shaft horsepower for extra power and lifting capability. It has a slightly larger cabin area and a four blade rotor system that provides an added safety feature in turbulent weather. It has a range of approximately 260 nautical miles. It features an upgraded avionics package with enhanced synthetic vision with the Chelton Flight System, to decrease pilot workload. It features a state-of-the-art Terrain Avoidance system and moving map display. The aircraft is fully equipped for Night Vision Device usage and all crews are current on this equipment.

Eurocopter EC135 (Now Airbus H135) - Four Aircraft Certified for Single-Pilot Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)

The Eurocopter EC135 (now Airbus H135) is a twin-engine helicopter with a long German and French heritage. It is powered by two Pratt & Whitney turbine engines, each producing in excess of 670 shaft horsepower. Combined with construction using the latest technology in composite materials, the EC135 is capable of speeds over 160 miles per hour. It can easily fly 300 miles without refueling.

Erlanger's four EC135/H135 LIFEFORCE helicopters are certified for single pilot instrument flight rules (IFR). This allows LIFE FORCE to take advantage of th 15 GPS instrument approaches into area hospitals when the weather is inclement. The EC135/H135 aircraft and crews LIFE FORCE has fielded are also fully qualified, equipped, and trained to use the latest in Night Vision Goggle technology.

LIFE FORCE EC135/H135 aircraft are equipped with Honeywell enhanced ground proximity warning systems, an Air Traffic advisory system, two Garmin Aviation GPS naviation systems, weather radar, real time XM Satellite weather and a three axis auto-pilot. The pilots attend extensive ground and flight training to be able to fully utilize the equipment.

The Crew

The LIFE FORCE crew consists of a Pilot, Flight Nurse and Flight Paramedic. The LIFE FORCE support team consists of Communication Specialists, A & P Technicians (aviation maintenance), office, education, and leadership team.