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EMERGENCY RESPONSE Mercy Flights debuts new helicopter By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Jul. 24, 2015 @ 1:32 pm Updated Jul 24, 2015 at 5:26 PM By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Jul. 24, 2015 @ 1:32 pm Updated Jul 24, 2015 at 5:26 PM » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> That new helicopter smell is still fresh at the Mercy Flights hangar. The nonprofit, emergency-response agency has a new ride — a $3.9 million Bell 407GX purchased this month. It will begin transporting patients Sept. 1, after pilot training concludes. The group's current helicopter will remain in operation until then.  Mercy Flights CEO Doug Stewart says the purchase will reduce operating costs from $2,600 an hour to about $750, because the ambulance service will own the aircraft instead of leasing from Timberland as it has done the past two decades. The new helicopter will improve patient and paramedic safety, Stewart says. "We will be the owner, the operator with the medical crew, the maintenance, everything," Stewart says.  The craft has a coverage range of 100 to 150 miles, an area that reaches down to about Etna, Calif., and north into Douglas County. It has a top speed of close to 150 mph. "We'll be able to get to patients quicker and more efficiently with this helicopter as well, because it is faster than the one we have," Stewart says.  Area pilot George Milligan founded Mercy Flights Aug. 24, 1949, after he watched a friend suffer, and eventually die, from polio while being driven to a Portland hospital for treatment. "George started asking himself, 'How can critical patients who need treatment outside our region get the care they need quicker?' " Stewart says. The solution was aircraft.  To date, Mercy Flights has transported about 20,000 patients. It has operated fixed-wing aircraft since day one — it currently owns and operates two Beechcraft King Air C-90 planes — and has leased a helicopter from Timberland the past 20 years. Owning the helicopter, Stewart says, makes good fiscal sense.  "We're going to be much better off," Stewart says. "We're looking at the future and how to deal with government cutting costs as far as health care and transports and those kinds of things, and we're trying to stay up with that as well as the needs of our community." The new aircraft is jam-packed with features.  "We're so excited," says Rodney Blake, Mercy Flights flight supervisor.  Every system in the helicopter is linked to its "glass cockpit," a network of digital, high-resolution displays that will assist the pilot during flight, warning if the helicopter is too near terrain and providing state-of-the-art readouts.   "It shows pretty much the exact replica of what is going on outside as far as the topography," Stewart says. "If you pay attention to some of the air medical crashes around the United States, usually the issue is controlled flight into terrain, so these systems will definitely help the pilot not get into those situations."  The Bell also boasts an autopilot system and a tail rotor camera.  Paramedics and firefighters will be able to load patients through the helicopter's side door, instead of the rear, which is safer for all involved.  "We have no tail rotor to worry about anymore, which is just so critical," Evans Valley Fire Chief Bill Fuller says. A more spacious cab will enable better access to patients being transported.  "It's going to be a much better platform for us to do medical care in," Blake says. "It's smoother. It's quieter in the back. We're going to have better access to our patients."  The state-of-the-art air ambulance will fly solo, because Mercy Flights officials say only one helicopter is needed to serve the region.  "Between the helicopter and the two fixed-wing planes, I think we've got the community covered pretty well," Stewart says.  Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected] . Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil . By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Jul. 24, 2015 @ 1:32 pm Updated Jul 24, 2015 at 5:26 PM » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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