Just received my Wings magazine and read the article about Helijet and the medivac contract uesing B 200's.
When the B.C.Gov't used their B 200's they had a special ramp to aid in loading stretchers and they guys who designed it received an award for inovation etc etc.
Does anyone know if this ramp is in use today.
It saved the backbreaking job of tilting a 300lb person through the door.
B200 medi-vac loading ramp
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The ramp is part and parcel of the approved Aerosled system in use by many air ambulance operators. All it is is a folding ramp with a hook system on one end and patented latches that lock the moveable sled in place. The deck is covered with a Teflon coating and the sled has Teflon covered feet. The sled simply slides on the Teflon. For the King Air 350, there is an extension on the end of the rear Aerosled bed so the ramp will fit through the door. Everone puts a Ferno #9 streacher on the Aerosled, which has wheels on the forward end and pins on the other end. Safety straps hold the patient, streacher and mattress to the Aerosled. A very efficient and reliable system. The King Air B200 in the picture in the magazine is an ex Westex King Air B200.
The average pilot, despite the somewhat swaggering exterior, is very much capable of such feelings as love, affection, intimacy and caring.
These feelings just don't involve anyone else.
These feelings just don't involve anyone else.
Hmmm at a guess you have never used it! What a backbreaking job it is if you have a large patient and only a couple of helpers out bush. Used this (Lifeport) system in the SE KingAirs, and trust me when the only helpers are two petite female nurses, it is not easy.The sled simply slides on the Teflon.
Lifeports are great for an optional fit for occasional medivac work, but for routine it should be a cargo door and electric hoist.
(Better still a PC12).
Used it just the other day here in Kelowna. Still remember the old days of packing the patient up the stairs and putting them down on folded down seats.
A little over two years ago I had the "pleasure" of being one of the patients loaded, a little over 190 lbs with very little effort nor discomfort to me. It has been a savior to medics and pilots back in B.C. for years.
A little over two years ago I had the "pleasure" of being one of the patients loaded, a little over 190 lbs with very little effort nor discomfort to me. It has been a savior to medics and pilots back in B.C. for years.
Bandaid has agreed that the system in use by BCAS now is a big improvement over the old manual system where we physically carried the patient through the door and onto a bed but there is still room for improvement. The Aerosled system used by Westex, and now Helijet and Carson is an approved system as far as an aircraft installation is concerned but there are still some shortcomings. Many parients have a lot of equipment attached to them and fitting it all in through the door can be a challenge. the King Air with the cargo door (B200C) is a bit of an improvement but that still has shortcomings. The problem is that nobody builds a special purpose built air ambulance. Everything is an adaptation. Some airplanes adapt better than others. The Lear is fast but the cabin is so small. The King Air 350 is great because of the room but the door is small. I would like to see a King Air 350C with the cargo door. There you would be able to slide the streacher in with room to spare. One area that could cause problems are the morbidly obese patients. What happens if a 500 or 600 pounder gets sick or injured in an out of the way place. There are very few pieces of equipment capable of handling that kind of weight.
The average pilot, despite the somewhat swaggering exterior, is very much capable of such feelings as love, affection, intimacy and caring.
These feelings just don't involve anyone else.
These feelings just don't involve anyone else.
