Minnesotan air ambulance provider Life Link III is pleased to announce that it has been awarded its Part 135 AOC by the FAA. The company plans to open a new air medical helicopter base in Rush City, Minnesota in Summer 2020. Both of these initiatives are moving forward in support of Life Link III's hospital member-owners and to ensure adequate air medical coverage is available to residents throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin and the Midwest.

The completion of the Part 135 air carrier certificate is the result of a lengthy and thorough multi-year effort completed by Life Link III. This process included the preparation of extensive documentation and programme development, inspection of all aircraft and facilities, and training of aviation team members who will be operating under Life Link III's new Part 135 air carrier certificate.

“Having our own Part 135 air carrier certificate eliminates the need to contract our aviation services through a third-party vendor,” says Lee McCammon, vice president of operations. “We now operate under our own Part 135 certificate as one organisation and team, unified by our mission of safe and effective air medical transport and reinforcing our unwavering commitment to safety.”

The planned Minnesota base will be located at the Rush City airport in partnership with Lakes Region EMS, and will provide needed critical care resources to this region, including central Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

The Rush City base establishes Life Link III's ninth helicopter base throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin. Life Link III's medically-configured helicopters and airplane serve as flying intensive care units (ICUs) and feature advanced clinical capabilities on board each aircraft including point-of-care laboratory testing, point-of-care ultrasound and LUCAS mechanical CPR. Life Link III works in partnership with local hospitals and public safety agencies to transport patients from accident scenes and from local hospitals to those that can provide specific expertise or higher level of care.

“In order to provide patients with the best chance of survival, it is necessary that they have access to critical care no matter where they live,” states Steve Sterner, CEO. “By placing a new helicopter base in Rush City, we are ensuring that our communities will have an air medical resource available in the event transport to a higher level of care is required.”

Both the completion of the Part 135 air carrier certificate and upcoming new base in Rush City will provide additional employment opportunities within Life Link III. With the creation of new clinical, aviation and maintenance positions, Life Link III will continue to support the communities it serves in alignment with its mission and values.

Air Methods was previously contracted to operate the Life Link III fleet of AW119Kx and PC-12 aircraft.