INDUSTRY NEWS

light weight, fuel efficiency and full authority digital control system. (FADEC).

"The FADEC compares to a con- ventional hydro-mechanical control system like electronic fuel injection compares to a carburetor," said Nich- ols. WI'he computer-directed contxol system allows precision fuel-use com- putations, and permits a degree of engine monitoring that should bring the 319-2's maintenance cost well below that of comparable enginesY

The 319-2 is an enhancement of the 319-1, an engine that's been in produc- tion for more than a year. The 319-1 powers Aerospatiale AS355 helicop- ters for the French air force and army.

NFPA RELOCATES OFFICE TO PASADENA

The National Flight Paramedics Association (NFPA) has moved its of- fice from Dallas, TX to Pasadena, CA effective August 1. NFPA has con- tracted with the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) to provide telephone and mail communications and other services for NFPA.

According to Dave Samuels, NFPA President, the move provides a "real, live staff to handle calls Instead of an answering machineY The AAMS of- fice has installed a new telephone number specifically for NFPA busi- ness.

The new address and telephone number is:

NFPA 35 S. Raymond Avenue, Suite 205 Pasadena, CA 91105 Telephone 818-405-9851

FIRST AROUND-THE-WORLD AEROMEDICAL TRANSPORT

The first around-the-world trans- port of a totally ventilator-dependent patient was completed on April 27, 1989 by MEDJET International. A Fil- ipino woman, a patient in a hospital in NewYork City, was flown to her home in Manila by MEDJET International.

After delivering the patient safely, the aircraft completed the circumnav-

igation of the globe and returned to Birmingham (MEDJET's home base) after final stops in Hawaii and San Francisco.

The totally ventilator-dependent patient transport took a total of 38 hours and 50 minutes to complete. Six MEDJET pilots were strategically placed along the route of the aircraft in order to expedite crew changes, to maximize transport time and to com- ply with government regulations.

AAMS RESTRUCTURE ADDS MORE REGIONAL DIRECTORS

The bylaws issues for modification of the structure of the Association of Air Medical Services have been over- whelmingly adopted by the organiza- tion. According to Don Stamper, Vice President, fq'his will provide for the election of eight regional directors at the Phoenix meeting. It in turn has restructured the organization to dis- continue the specialty level represen- tation. Represen ta t ion of the m e m b e r s h i p will be p rov ided through the very successful network of regional directors."

According to Stamper, the election of eight regional directors at the an- nual meeting will provide a challenge for the organization. Plans are cur- rently underway to make that an or- derly process.

In addition, Stamper added that the organization is very excited about the increased representation which will be provided by the new regional directors and the restructuring of thei r board. Persons in te res ted should contact the AAMS office con- cerning the Nominations Committee.

STAT ADDS THIRD HELICOPTER

The Specialized Treatment And Transport (STAT) aeromedical pro- gram (Pittsburgh, PA) has recently put their third MBB helicopter into service. Operated by Corporate Jets, Inc., STAT now has one BO 105 CBS and two BK l17s.

The third aircraft will be added at the end of the year. The program was

realizing increased flight volume as well as an increased occurrence of missed flights due to aircraft unavail- ability. In addition, STAT has posi- tioned itself as a regional-medical resource, and the third aircraft allows them to better serve rural popula- tions. A second BK 117 was chosen due to the high volume of specialty team transports. STATs service area is a 90 mile radius of the city of Pitts- burgh. Once passed the 90 mile point, STATlooks at putting their fixed wing aircraft to work. Angel 1, a BK 117, is located in the city, while Angel 2, the second BK 117, is 35 miles southeast in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Angel 3, the BO 105, is 25 miles north in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania.

The STAT program serves a con- sortium of five Pittsbui~gh area medi- cal facilities. Beginning in 1984, the program recently marked its fifth an- niversary. STATs current volume av- erages 165 helicopter flights per month.

KENTUCKY PROGRAM UPGRADES TO BK 117

In operation since October 1982, STAT Flight Humana Hospital Uni- versity of Louisville has upgraded to a BK-117. Based at the University of Louisville Hospital, the program made is first BK-117 patient flight June 20th.

According to a program official, the BK-117 was selected for its larger, patient care area, good patient access, and patient/pilot isolation. The addi- tional speed afforded by the aircraft has trimmed 30 minutes offthe round trip time of their longer, 90 mile flights.

Approaching their 5,000th mis- sion, the program averages 58-60 mis- sions per month . In t e rhosp i t a l transfers account for 65% of this total, while scene calls make up the other 35%. A 100 mile radius is served, with 42-43 miles being the average.

The helicopter was configured by STAT-Flighfs operator, Rocky Moun- tain Helicopters, at their Provo, Utah facilities.

22 Hospital Aviation ° August 1989