Indian Defence Review

Pilatus PC-12 NG

The Pilatus PC-12, one of the most popular turbine-powered aircraft in the market is now being used by Medanta – The Medicity for its air ambulance services launched in June this year. The Pilatus PC-12 is a perfect air ambulance aircraft, bringing the finest care to the farthest corners so that anyone who lives works or travels in remote and rural areas can enjoy the best of healthcare.

Medanta – The Medicity launched its dedicated air ambulance service and is now the first hospital in India to have a hospital-based air ambulance at its disposal. The project is the result of work by Dr. Naresh Trehan, Chairman and Director of the hospital, who wanted to introduce a fullyequipped flying intensive care unit to India in order to overcome the combined challenges of distance, time and specialized patient care. A team of medical practitioners, women’s health doctors, registered nurses, allied health professionals, pilots and administrators, who aim at providing high class medical evacuation from the remotest of areas to metro hospitals would be available on-board. The specialized team of 40 doctors from different specialties would be ready to provide on board medical support. The air ambulance is equipped with the state-of-art life saving equipment back up and specialized medical teams of Medanta – The Medicity. Three Pilatus PC-12 NG aircrafts have been customized to function as ICU units on board to give real-time critical care to patients while they are being evacuated to a hospital after a medical emergency, such as a heart attack or multiple bullet wounds.

Demand for first-class ambulance aircraft continues to grow exponentially. The PC-12 has successfully proved its credentials in this field to clients around the world. Operators are impressed by the aircraft’s flexibility and high availability. The PC-12 is an ideal ambulance aircraft, not least for its low operating costs and unique ability to operate in and out of unmade runways. Precision Swiss engineering and construction are what make the PC-12 such a popular aircraft. The ability to operate from different types of unprepared airstrips and in the harshest environments have proven the prowess of PC-12 in penetrating remote areas otherwise only accessible by helicopters but with the speed, range and economy of a fixed-wing aircraft. The “Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia” (RFDS) and ORNGE of Canada have long been enthusiastic users of specially configured PC-12s for medical missions. The RFDS one of the largest and most comprehensive aero medical organizations in the world which provides emergency and primary healthcare services for those living in rural, remote and regional areas of Australia, currently operates a fleet of over 30 PC-12s.