Air Methods has delivered its first modular, multi-function, medical interiors to operators of the McDonnell Douglas MD900 Explorer helicopter in Europe and the USA. Boise Life Flight in Idaho, and HSD in Germany, have taken delivery of Explorers equipped with the new multi-role interiors.
Denver, Colorado-based Air Methods says that its new modular floor-structure replaces the Explorer's existing carbonfibre-composite floor. The aluminium floor has integral seat tracks which enable equipment to be installed and removed easily, enabling the helicopter to be reconfigured for different missions.
Air Methods says that the multi-function interior can be configured for aeromedical, corporate, utility, search-and-rescue and other missions. HSD plans to use its Explorer mainly for emergency-medical-service (EMS) operations, and also for utility and other missions, including broadcast and survey.
The interior is also suitable for use in the Bell 427 and 430 and Eurocopter EC135. Air Methods' operations division, which flies EMS aircraft for medical centres across the USA, plans to equip two 427s for delivery in December to its Columbia Life Flight EMS operation in Denver. The interior has also been demonstrated in the larger 430.
Source: Flight International
