With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to wreak havoc around the globe, taking many healthcare systems to breaking point, operators of Airbus helicopters have found themselves on the front lines of their countries’ efforts to combat the spread of the virus.
Keen to meet any challenge faced by these HEMS operators, Airbus Helicopters is lending its support across the globe, with just one example being the need to ensure the availability rate of the different French SAMU helicopters – the airborne emergency medical service, which has been working at full capacity for weeks – stays at 100%.
Also, in support of its many other operators, Airbus has mobilised teams to inform HEMS operators of new and existing solutions for separating the cockpit from the cabin.
“Many HEMS operators and military forces are transporting COVID-19 patients while lacking the means to isolate the cockpit from the cabin to protect the crew,” said Stefan Bestle, Emergency Medical Service Marketing Manager at Airbus Helicopters. “But a solution exists for certain aircraft in the form of cabin cockpit isolation, which provides a barrier between the infected or possibly infected patients and the flight crews, thereby increasing the level of protection.”
Airbus has already identified and spoken of options available in the helicopter market for the H135/H145 along with the AS332/H225 models. Solutions for its range of single-engine helicopters are also being explored.
Additionally, Airbus Helicopters has issued guidance on how to properly clean and disinfect its helicopters, workspaces and tools that may have been contaminated by COVID-19, including the processes to be followed and the disinfection materials to be used.
As with other leading helicopter manufacturers such as Leonardo and Bell, every company is stepping up to meet the challenges posed by the pandemic, and such support practices are likely to be in demand for some time to come. By working with operators throughout this crisis to ensure that the HEMS crews who are flying their helicopters are properly protected, will mean these dedicated professionals will be with us for the long term, and that can only serve to benefit us all.
