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September 12, 2008
In a Medical Emergency, Bellęs 429 Will Answer the Call
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Designed with a flat floor and wide open cabin, the 429 can carry two medical attendants and two patients or three medical attendants and one patient. |
John Smith has been rushed from the scene of the accident to Hospital X with life-threatening head injuries, for which the hospital is not equipped to handle. Quickly and efficiently, Smith is transported by emergency medical helicopter to Hospital Y 100 miles away to receive the necessary medical care. Throughout the journey a trauma team stays with him to ensure the patient’s stability.
Versions of this scenario are repeated every day around the world as helicopter pilots and brave teams of medical flight professionals work together to bring trauma patients safely to their destination.
“Transporting patients by helicopter can often make the difference between life and death,” says Sandy Kinkade, the director of customer business partnering for Bell Helicopter, who has seen firsthand the vital role that medical helicopters play in saving lives. With 13 years of experience as a flight nurse, she is a strong advocate for emergency medical helicopters.
While Bell has four helicopter models – the 206, 407, 430 and 412 – that are used extensively for emergency medical services (EMS), international regulations have prevented the successful entry into the markets in many countries.
Designed with customer input
Bell’s latest emergency medical helicopter, the 429, will change that. Not only will the 429 meet those international requirements, but its design is based on the experiences and feedback of those who work in air medical transportation.
“It's a very flexible aircraft with many cutting edge technologies,” says Kinkade, who was actively involved in the 429’s development.
Convening several customer advisory councils over a four-year period, Kinkade and the
team gathered the input from representatives in various segments including law enforcement, EMS, corporate and the oil and gas industry.
What did they wish their helicopter would be equipped with? What did they like about the current models? What didn’t they like? “It was really the first time Bell based much of its aircraft design on feedback directly provided by its customers,” she says. “We really listened.”
Making a powerful impression on customers
Their answers are reflected in the results. “It has a flat floor and wide open cabin which permits full access to patients. It can carry one patient with three medical attendants or two patients with two medical attendants,” says Kinkade. In addition, patients can be loaded from the side or back of the aircraft, based on the preferences of the medical team.
From a pilot’s perspective, the 429 is ergonomically sound and provides full seat adjustments, excellent visibility and numerous safety features.
The aircraft has certainly impressed the pilots, medical technicians and operators who have had the opportunity to crawl through its spacious cabin. More than 300 orders for the 429 have already been placed as it continues to undergo flight tests with certification expected by early 2009.
The 429 has been on tour since May when it made its debut at the AirMed 2008 World Congress in Prague, Czech Republic. In July, it was displayed at the Farnborough International Air Show. It will be shown at the Japanese International Aerospace Exhibition 2008 that begins October 1 and, later that month, in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the Air Medical Transport Conference.
“It's all in one,” Kinkade says. “You've got the new design, the advanced equipment, the training, the superior support and you have flexible financing options directly through Textron Financial Corporation (TFC).”
Kinkade still marvels at the 429. “It's an amazing aircraft. Oh my gosh, I would have loved to have had this when I was flying.”
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