New aircraft, new opportunities

You have been with European Air Ambulance (EAA) since 2006, initially as First Officer, and now as Flight Operations Manager. What are the biggest lessons you have learned about the industry in that time?

EAA has evolved with the development of the air ambulance industry but has also been a trigger to certain changes in the air ambulance industry.

When I started at EAA 18 years ago, we were operating three Learjet 35s. The Learjet 35 was a workhorse and was widely used in the industry for air ambulance missions. EAA was one of the first operators to move to the next generation, the Learjet 45. In hindsight, it can be said that the Learjet 45 was the correct choice, as demonstrated by the fact that many competitors followed EAA’s example and switched to this aircraft.

Today we have reached the next milestone with the integration of a second Challenger 605 into EAA’s fleet, increasing our availability for long-range repatriations.

With a fleet of both short- to midrange as well as long-range aircraft, EAA is able to provide the best solution to a wide range of requests. EAA can offer flights from Madrid to Paris or from Manila to Rome with the aircraft best suited to the mission profile.

European Air Ambulance recently added a Challenger 605 to its fleet. In what ways were you involved with integrating the new aircraft?

The introduction of a new aircraft is always a great challenge for all the departments involved. As Flight Operations Manager, I am involved in all operational aspects of integrating a new aircraft. This ranges from selecting the most suitable aircraft type to defining new operational capabilities, hiring new pilots, training pilots on the new aircraft type and finally starting operations.

The integration of the new aircraft does not stop when the aircraft arrives and starts commercial operations for EAA. Constant feedback from crews, dispatchers and medical personnel helps us improve our service to our customers.

What challenges or requirements did you face when you introduced the Challenger 605?

The Challenger 605 opened new markets and opportunities for EAA. With the Learjet 45, we were able to provide worldwide repatriation solutions, which our customers have appreciated over the years. The Challenger 605 allows us to further improve our service to customers, giving us the ability to repatriate patients from anywhere in the world with maximum comfort and minimum lead time. The success of the last three years of operation with the Challenger 605 has shown us that the selection of this aircraft type and the expansion of EAA into the long-range market was the right decision. With the addition of the second Challenger 605, there is no longer any question as to where EAA is headed.

You have extensive experience in organ transportation flights. What are the main obstacles or complications you face on these flights, and how does EAA overcome them?

Our job at EAA is to provide our customers with the best possible solution. On the operations side, this involves risk management and good planning. Therefore, our operations control centre monitors all factors which could influence organ flights day and night. The weather conditions at all airports that could potentially be used for organ flights are checked continuously. Should any factor hinder the use of a specific airport, this information is shared with our customers immediately. In some cases, this means that organs from a specific donor are distributed locally to hospitals instead of using an aircraft to transport an organ. If there is any doubt that an aircraft can land at the airport closest to the receiving hospital, it is our duty to offer an alternative solution to our customer. EAA’s mission is to save human lives and this motto guides every decision made within EAA.

Looking ahead, what are EAA’s goals and priorities for the future?

With the addition of a second Challenger 605 to our fleet, EAA aims to expand our availability of long-range options. We are also anticipating the delivery of new incubators, which will help us restore our renowned neonatal capabilities. Similarly, we are preparing to introduce a custom-designed Infectious Disease Unit for the Challenger 605 fleet. While EAA has no intention of becoming the largest air ambulance operator, we are committed to maintaining our reputation as a professional and dependable partner for our clients with a clear statement: Your Patient, our Mission.