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I was a flight paramedic for six years at UNC AIR
CARE at the University of North Carolina. I had the pleasure to fly in the
A and C model of the BK-117. I also had the displeasure of working in
a EC-135. The EC-135 is one of the smoothest helicopter
that I have flown in. The Pilots loved it.
The patient care area is very small,
very little storage space, very little headroom. If your
are looking for a smooth ride pick the EC-135. If you want a great
helicopter for patient care pick the BK-117c model. You
can actually have color weather radar and a moving map
display. The EC-135 also has some weight load issues. An
EC-135 was sent to our program for the flight crew to see if it would work
with our patient profile. Almost all of the pediatric and adult
flight team members stated that the aircraft was to small and that we
would have problems with ergonomics. We had start using the Stryker
stretcher on the BK-117c and it had eliminated almost all of our back
problems. We were told that if we did not think the EC-135 would
work, we would not get it. Well, an EC-135 showed up, surprise,
surprise. There were hard feelings about the aircraft. We
nolonger had a nightsun, color weather radar, and our beloved stryker
stretcher. Before signing up for a EC-135 ask if we put color radar, and
nightsun what would our actual payload be with 2 hours of fuel. UNC had a
five year contact for the EC-135 and they have switched to a non customized
BK-117 years before the contract ran out????????????????? I am sure that
the EC-135 is great for programs that flew astar''s or BO 105. I flew on a
astar for three years. I am glad that UNC is returning to the BK-117 and
maybe they might think about the EC-145. It looks good on paper.
Good luck on your decision and I hope you include everyone on the flight team
in the interior design, you will come out with a better
aircraft.
Ps: I did not take the air care
challenge
Scott Morgan, EMT-P
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