Helicopters

NRMA CareFlight runs two helicopters. Both these dedicated Head Injury Retrieval Trial helicopters are based at Westmead. Each has a specially configured cabin which allows the medical team to monitor and treat the patient while in transit. The helicopter, with its rapid response time, point to point ability and fast cruise speed, is often the most efficient means of transporting patients.

Kawasaki BK117 B2

The BK117-B2 is a twin-engined day/night single pilot IFR helicopter. Equipped to operate in visual or instrument meteorological conditions, and also equipped with a rescue winch, this helicopter is able to respond to a very diverse range of emergency medical and rescue situations.

Specifications:

• 2 x Lycoming LTS 101 gas turbine engines, 730shp each
• max speed 278 km/hr
• cruise speed 240 km/hr
• range 474 km
• max take-off weight 3,350 kg
• max persons on board 6 (including patient and rescue equipment)
• crew 4 (pilot, aircrewman, doctor, paramedic)
• max altitude 4,572 m
• jet A1 fuel (refined kerosene)
• fuel capacity 558 kg
• fuel burn 225 kg/hr
• total length 13 m (main rotor tip to tail rotor)
• rotor diameter 11 m

Equipment:

• two-man winch (lifting capacity 272 kg, cable length 76 m, variable speed 82.3 m/min)
• Starburst SX-5 search light (15 million candle power)
• radio beacon homer
• navigation equipment/instruments: GPS, VOR, ILS, DME, ADF, GPS moving map system for street level navigation
• radios: 2 x aviation radios, GRN ambulance radio, emergency services and marine radios
• emergency services and marine radios
• phones: CDMA phone, sat. phone

Agusta A109E Power

The Italian-built Agusta A109E 'Power' is a twin-engined, single pilot IFR helicopter. It has all weather and day/night capability, but currently only operates during daylight hours.

Specifications:

• 2 x Pratt and Whitney turbine engines, 640 shp each
• max speed 300 km/hr
• cruising speed 285 km/h
• range 665 km
• max weight 3,000 kg
• crew 4 (pilot, aircrewman, doctor, paramedic)
• fuel burn 220 kg/h
• endurance 2 hrs 10 mins
• total length 13 m
• rotor diameter 11 m
• radios: 2 x aviation radios, ambulance and police radios
• phones: CDMA phone and multi-frequency Wulfsberg

Equipment:

• weather radar
• "Nite Sun" search light
• 3 x GPS (including laptop street directory)