During the AMTC22 Elevated event in Tampa, Florida, last month, Pratt & Whitney Canada joined the air medical community to recognize a milestone.
Celebrating its 35th anniversary, MedCenter Air serves the people of North and South Carolina with bases in Concord, Hickory, Wadesboro, and Rock Hill, covering a 150-mile (240-kilometer)radius from each location.
Its critical care services are tackled by a fleet of Airbus EC135 P2 helicopters, powered by Pratt & Whitney’s PW206B turboshaft engines.
The PW206B2 provides maximum continuous power of 621 shaft horsepower per engine, with a one-engine inoperative mode of 30 seconds with 816 shp. These combined power plants allow for a maximum take-off weight of 6,250 pounds (2,835 kilograms) and a useful load of nearly 2,800 lb (1,270 kg).
The popular PW200 series of engines powers the majority of the world’s light-twin helicopters, many of which are found in the air medical field.
For added patient and crew safety, all MedCenter helicopters are instrument flight rules (IFR) capable and tracked by satellite through the dispatch base.
The space afforded by the H135 allows for a plethora of advanced medical equipment to be taken to each and every scene.
Pilots operate under contract with Air Methods Corporation and are required to log a minimum of 3,000 helicopter flight hours with at least 1,000 in turbine models. Night flights are flown with night vision goggles.
In addition to the rotory-wing aircraft, MedCenter Air operates both Pilatus PC-24 and Cessna Citation jets, for longer distance requirements.
