Airplane Transport

MedCenter Air offers national and international transport capabilities through four fixed-wing aircraft. Our staff is available 24 hours a day for emergencies and scheduled patient transports. Our planes are satellite tracked and are equipped with advanced medical equipment including cardiac monitors, ventilators, multiple IV infusion pumps, advanced drug therapies, an Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump and ECMO capabilities.

Atrium Health’s MedCenter Air has fixed wing aircraft that are operated by GAMA Aviation, LLC. Any additional fixed wing aircraft that are utilized by Atrium Health’s MedCenter Air are operated by approved FAA part 135 certificate holders.

Our pilots are highly experienced and are provided by GAMA Aviation, LLC. There are two pilots on every flight for safety, and all pilots are required to have:

• FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate
• More than 2,000 hours of previous flight time experience
• FAA first-class annual flight physical
• Attend annual recurrent training, including flight simulation

Additionally, our highly qualified crew must meet rigorous requirements:

• Crew members have RN/RN, RN/RRT or RN/Paramedic configuration.
• Crew members have three to five years of experience in ICU or ER medicine and must be cross-credentialed with EMS certifications.
• Crew receives advanced training in aeromedical physiology, aircraft safety and transport protocols.
• Additional requirements include TNCC, TPATC, ITLS, ATLS, ACLS, PALS, BLS, STABLE, NRP-certified and undergo quarterly simulation training.

Safety Features of Aircraft:

• Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS)
• Forward Looking Infared Cameras to aid with night landing and take-offs (FLIR)
• Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) on all aircraft
• Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) to augment the Global Positioning System (GPS)
• XM Weather 
• Weather Radar
• SkyConnect Satellite Tracking System Iridium Phone System and Flight Explorer

Cessna Citation Jets

Atrium Health’s MedCenter Air (Operated by GAMA Aviation, LLC) utilizes two Cessna Citation 560 series jets. These dedicated medical transport planes are pressurized, climate-controlled and designed to deliver industry-leading patient care. Our Citation jets are used to transport patients long distances or internationally. Bariatric patients are considered on a case-by-case basis upon evaluation of clinical acuity and needs.

Features of our jets:

• Speed in excess of 420 kts or over 485 miles per hour
• Cruising altitude 35,000 - 39,000 feet
• Pressurized cabin at sea level up to 24,000 feet
• Capable of takeoff and landing at airports with 5,000 foot runways
• Redundant, onboard medical equipment
• One of the safest aircrafts in the industry
• Terminal Collision Avoidance System (TCAS)
• Terrain Avoidance Warning System (TAWS)
• Color radar (allows flight over or around inclement weather)
• Excellent long-range aircraft
• Patient weight limit is 300 pounds
• Clamshell door width is 36 inches
• Able to transport one adult patient or two isolettes 

Pilatus PC-24

Atrium Health’s MedCenter Air (Operated by GAMA Aviation, LLC) utilizes two Pilatus PC-24 for both part 91 and 135. These dedicated medical transport planes are pressurized, climate-controlled and designed to deliver industry-leading patient care. Our Pilatus jets are used to transport patients long distances or internationally. Bariatric patients are considered on a case-by-case basis upon evaluation of clinical acuity and needs.

Features of our jets:

• Speed in excess of 440 kts or over 506 miles per hour
• Cruising altitude 45,000 feet
• Pressurized cabin at sea level up to 24,000 feet
• Capable of takeoff and landing at airports with 5,000 foot runways
• Redundant, onboard medical equipment
• One of the safest aircrafts in the industry
• Terminal Collision Avoidance System (TCAS)
• Terrain Avoidance Warning System (TAWS)
• Color radar (allows flight over or around inclement weather)
• Excellent long-range aircraft
• 2 pilots, 5-8 passenger seating and 1-3 patients
• Wide Cargo door, three emergency exits

Contact MedCenter Air

For more information, call us at 800-421-9195 or 704-512-7941. Or, email us.