The intricate job of choosing new aircraft

You have been with European Air Ambulance for almost eight years, and Head of the Engineering Department for almost three. What does your current role involve?

European Air Ambulance (EAA), part of the Luxembourg Air Rescue Group, has a complex Rotary Wing and Fixed Wing operation for EMS (Emergency Medical Services). The primary role of the Head of the Engineering Department is to ensure that our operations are in accordance with airworthiness, technical regulations, and the highest industry safety standards. This allows EAA operations to provide the highest safety and quality service. European Air Ambulance will soon add a second Bombardier Challenger 605 to its fleet.

How much lead time and how much preparation does EAA account for when introducing a new aircraft?

Phasing in a new aircraft to the fleet is achieved by performing a sequence of activities including: selecting the correct aircraft; negotiating and contracting; assessing the aircraft technical records; registering the aircraft on the Luxembourg registry; implementing modifications; performing installations of the EMS kits; and painting the aircraft to bring the aircraft up to EAA’s EMS operations standards.

This takes several months, with the duration depending on factors such as the origin of the aircraft (EASA, non-EASA), the avionics and cabin status, or the specifications of the EMS interior to install. A new aircraft project always involves the cooperation of a professional team transversal to the entire EAA organisation, but not only that, the National Aviation Authority and external providers also have important roles in the success of adding a new aircraft to our fleet. It is truly a team effort!

How does EAA select its aircraft, and what challenges do you face when introducing new aircraft to the fleet?

The selection process for adding a new aircraft to the fleet requires several steps, including confirming the compliance with aeronautical regulations when the physical and operational condition of the aircraft are assessed. EAA operates its aircraft with the highest safety standards, complying with air transport regulations and state-of-the-art medical interiors, which enhance the safety of patients and crew in all phases of the operation. It can take several aircraft assessments before finding a suitable aircraft that will meet the EAA requirements and standards.

There are always some specificities in each aircraft, even for an aircraft type already operated by EAA. There are modifications customised to each serial number – small interior distinctions that can start with differences in material, deviations on cabin layouts, or the installation of different avionics. This results in intensive work to identify these differences, and to estimate the cost and time necessary to bridge the gap with EAA requirements.

The industry is facing many challenges at the moment, including the provision of spare parts and general aircraft maintenance issues. How are EAA facing such obstacles, and how do providers tackle the supply chain backlogs in aviation?

Supply chain is one of the biggest issues currently in the aviation industry. It affects all factors –from the operators to the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). The EAA Engineering department closely monitors the industry performance and keeps close contact with the maintenance providers and the OEMs. We have developed a proactive approach to mitigate critical parts shortages, maintenance downtime delays, and aircraft on ground (AOG). This is paramount to maintaining the availability of our EMS fleet.

EAA has its own in-house engineering and design department, and develops the medical interiors for EAA’s aircraft. Can you tell us why these in-house services are so vital to the business?

EAA always seeks to provide the best service to its customers. Having the in-house capacity to install state-of-the-art specialised medical equipment into the fleet using the operational feedback of our crews improves the performance of those using this equipment and the wellbeing of our end users – the patients. This is always in the mindset of the engineering department, and it is fundamental for us to provide the high standards expected by the EAA operations and medical department.