North Flight Aero Med, a joint operation between Corewell Health and Munson Healthcare, has added a Sikorsky S-76 C++ helicopter to its fleet.

This aircraft is the new primary helicopter for the air ambulance operator, replacing its former Sikorsky S-76 B. It operates from a base located in Traverse City in northern Michigan with three aircraft: a King Air B250, a King Air B200 and the new Sikorsky.

"This new helicopter will enable us to continue to serve the northern Michigan community for many years to come," says Tiffany Obetts, director, Corewell Health Aero Med and North Flight Aero Med. "The investment our two organisations make in this crucial infrastructure ensures we can continue our mission to be a leader in providing exceptional critical care air transport in Michigan."

The Sikorsky S-76 C++ will have improved fuel efficiency, modern avionics and certified IFR (instrument flight rules) capability. Its clinical capabilities include blood products, specialty medications, high flow nasal cannula, cardiac device transport and neonatal transports.

"Munson Healthcare provides coverage across more than 11,000sqm, which is roughly the size of Delaware and Vermont combined," says Aditya Neravetla MD, Munson Healthcare East Region chief medical officer and medical director of system transfers. "Ongoing investments like this one are vital to ensuring northern Michigan's most critically ill patients and babies receive timely transport to Munson Medical Center or other facilities downstate."

The new helicopter will also feature a stretcher system created in collaboration with outside vendors Spectrum Aeromed of Fargo, South Dakota and Stryker in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

North Flight Aero Med added the King Air B250 to its fleet in March 2023 and Corewell Health Aero Med added a Sikorsky S-76 C++ helicopter to its fleet last May. Aero Med first incorporated the Sikorsky S-76 model in its operation in 1994.

"With speeds up to 180mph and a range of 300 miles, the S-76 safely and reliably transports hundreds of patients all over Michigan each year," says Obetts.