LIFE FORCE CAPABILITIES

LIFE FORCE serves patients who have suffered any kind of severe trauma or burn, as well as severe medical illnesses. Each aircraft has equipment and the trained staff to care for people in all stages of life, from infants to geriatrics. LIFE FORCE may also be utilized in some situations, in search and rescue missions.

The Aircraft

Bell 407

Erlanger has upgraded from the BH206 to the BH407.  The BH407 provides enhanced aircraft performance.  It is a single engine aircraft which provides 674 shaft horsepower for extra power and lifting capability.  It has a slightly larger cabin area and a four bladed rotor system that provides an added safety feature in turbulent weather.  It has a range of approximately 260 nm.  It features an upgraded avionics package with enhanced synthetic vision with the Chelton Flight System, to decrease pilot workload.  It features a state of the art Terrain Avoidance system and moving map display.  The aircraft is fully equipped for Night Vision Device usage and all crews are current on this equipment.

EC-135

The Eurocopter EC135 is a twin-engine helicopter with a long German and French heritage.  It is powered by two Pratt & Whitney turbine engines, each producing in excess of 670 shaft horsepower.  Combined with construction using the latest technology in composite materials, the EC135 is capable of speeds over 160 miles per hour.  It can easily fly 300 miles without refueling. 

The EC135 P2+ Life Force is flying is certified for single pilot instrument flight, allowing Life Force to take advantage of the 15 GPS instrument approaches into area hospitals when the weather is inclement.  The EC135 aircraft and crews Life Force has fielded are also fully qualified, equipped, and trained to use the latest in Night Vision Goggle technology. 

Both Life Force EC135s are equipped with Honeywell Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning Systems, an Air Traffic Advisory System, two Garmin Aviation GPS navigation systems, Weather Radar, real time XM Satellite weather, and a three axis auto-pilot. The pilots attend extensive ground and flight training to be able to fully utilize the equipment. 

The Crew

The LIFE FORCE crew consists of a Pilot, Flight Nurse and Flight Paramedic. The LIFE FORCE support team consists of Communication Specialists, A&P Technicians (aviation maintenance), office, education and leadership team.

LIFE FORCE Crew Job Summary and Qualifications

Single Engine Pilot
Multi Engine Pilot
Flight Nurse
Flight Paramedic
Communication Specialist II
Communication Specialist III
A&P Technician