Emergency Vehicle Fleet
Life Flight Network utilizes numerous aircraft to support operations. Life Flight Network operates under its own FAA Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate. The range of each rotor-wing is approximately 300 nautical miles without refueling, and all rotor-wing aircraft use night vision goggles.
Rotor-Wing
Bell 429
The Bell 429 is and the most advanced air ambulance helicopter in the Pacific Northwest and boasts one of the best IFR capabilities in the industry. The 429 has an expansive patient care cabin, providing our clinical teams with unhindered full-body patient access. This access allows our expertly trained clinicians to provide comprehensive ICU-level care to all patients, regardless of illness or injury.
The Bell 429 also offers:
- An enhanced communications platform that allows our team to seamlessly communicate with the dispatching agency or receiving hospital when we are en route, on approach for landing, or any time during the patient transfers process.
- A large double side door configuration for ease and speed of patient loading.
- Terrain mapping that provides for enhanced safety and situational awareness.
- Advanced touch screen GPS and four-axis autopilot.
- Range range of 449 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 170 miles-per-hour.
Bell 407GXi
The Bell 407GXi is a highly reliable and proven helicopter with an advanced avionics suite. It includes three-dimensional terrain mapping for the pilot and a two-axis autopilot for increased safety. The power to weight ratio provides for excellent performance at high altitudes.
The Bell 407GXi also offers:
- A large bi-fold side door for ease and speed of patient loading.
- Three-dimensional terrain mapping, providing for a more robust safety envelope.
- An enhanced communications platform that allows our team to seamlessly communicate with the dispatching agency or receiving hospital when we are en route, on approach for landing or any other time during a patient’s transfer.
- A power-to-weight ratio that provides for excellent performance at high altitudes, allowing crews to get to more stable air for a smoother patient transport.
- A range of 350 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 157 miles-per-hour.
- A two-axis autopilot, which reduces pilot workload and contributes to enhanced safety.
AW119Kx "Koala"
Life Flight Network has a fleet of 21 Agusta-Westland AW119Kx “Koala” helicopters. The Koala cruises at 166 miles per hour and comes equipped with a state-of-the-art Garmin G-1000H cockpit. The Garmin G1000H is simple, intuitive, and provides exceptional situational awareness to the pilot. The aircraft has the capability to transport two patients or a specialty team with unencumbered full-body access.
EC135
The Eurocopter EC135 twin-engine helicopters are popular aircraft in the air medical industry. Similar to the Agusta-Westland aircraft, the EC135 is capable of transporting a specialty team. The rear patient care compartment is separate from the pilot area. The EC135 also has an enclosed tail rotor. Life Flight Network utilizes seven EC135 helicopters, acquired through the merger with Northwest MedStar. The fleet consists of two P1s, one P2, and four P2+s. P2+s are capable of flying under instrument flight rules, which is beneficial in the often foggy and cloudy region west of the Cascade Mountains.
Fixed-Wing
PC-12 NG
The Pilatus PC-12 is widely used in the air medical industry. This fixed-wing aircraft is very versatile, and capable of operating from short unimproved runways to large international airports. The PC-12 cruises at 276 miles per hour and has a range of over 1800 miles. Whether the flight is short or long, the spacious flat floor cabin provides comfort for the patient and medical crew. The large cargo door provides unhindered loading and unloading, no matter the type of patient. The PC-12 is equipped with state-of-the-art avionics, which fully integrate with the aircraft. The Honeywell Primus APEX avionics suite is simple, intuitive, and provides exceptional situational awareness to the pilot. LFN utilizes ten PC-12 aircraft.
Ground Transportation
Life Flight Network operates a fleet of specially equipped critical care ground ambulances. These mobile ICUs carry the same expertly trained personnel as our fixed-wing and rotor-wing aircraft.
The newest addition to our fleet includes six Class I Freightliner critical care ambulances.
The Class I Freightliners offer:
- An expanded patient care cabin, allowing for the transport of up to two patients.
- An innovative vehicle mold mounting system that isolates the patient box from the frame, so patients receive a quieter and smoother ride.