Industry Headline News

Angel MedFlight Reports Second Quarter Surge

By Karen Di Piazza

Today, Arizona-based Angel MedFlight Worldwide Air Ambulance Services reported an increase of 25 percent in the number of air ambulance flights in the second quarter of 2008. Using a Gulfstream G 150, Learjet 35A and a King Air 200 turboprop, all aircraft are medically customized and used exclusively for patient transport, flown under FAR Part 135 operations. 

"We've had a significant increase in the number of patient transfers over the last couple of months," said William McCluskey, director of operations and chief flight paramedic for Angel MedFlight. "In order to accommodate the growth and continue providing the highest level of service, we've added several new medical staff. Our contract with Blue Cross/Blue Shield, effective July 1, is certainly a factor." He added that the heightened flight schedule is also due to a continued presence at both medical and general aviation industry trade events, to include sponsoring air shows.

Providing domestic and international patient transfer and medical evacuation services, the operator said it has a perfect safety record absent of incidents or accidents. Additionally, the company said that for every hour that an aircraft is in the air, 1.8 hours are spent on maintenance. MedFlight's medical team has expanded with the addition of 13 flight nurses and 12 flight paramedics; a two-pilot crew and a minimum of two medical personnel are on board all flights. The company said it's the only medical transport company in the country that arranges ground transportation in addition to air travel.

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