Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1281650
The service in the LPR is extraordinary. "You won't find the same job like ours. I mean flying he- licopters. There are rules and restrictions. We never know where we are flying and what we can really expect when we arrive. We have three minutes to get airborne and that makes it totally different from other helicopter crews" says the pilot. The flying techniques are the same for all the helicopters, but the EC-135 has extensive avionics such as an advanced navigation system or the autopilot. The LPR helicopter during the mission has the same status as an ambulance with sirens on. It gets priority on the way, so the pilots can choose the best possible way even through the restricted (no-fly) zones. Air controllers on the ground are really helpful too. From the paramedic point of view, the service in the LPR is way different from the duty in the ambulance. In the am- bulance, except the "medical stuff" work is pretty usual. Here, in the air medical service, the paramedic has some additional duties. Onboard one's responsible for the tacti- cal communications (with the dispatch or the firefighters) and on the ground one's doing the paramedic stuff. "The main difference between LPR and hospital is… the view outside the windows and the transport means. View is changing rapidly, and transport mean is helo instead of shoes. Amazing helicopters which take us everywhere we need and amazing people around us. They are real en- thusiasts and passionate about their work. Full of energy and positive thinking. It's awesome!" says the physician. AVIATION