Helicopter Landing Zone Guidelines

When minutes can mean the difference between life and death, look to Atrium Health’s MedCenter Air for fast, reliable, emergency and critical care patient transport services.

With our fleet of jets, planes, helicopters and ambulances, MedCenter Air offers rapid patient transport and support for EMS responders throughout the region. Our custom-equipped vehicles serve as mobile critical care units for medical facilities, EMS providers, insurance companies, managed-care organizations and the public. We meet strict accreditation standards set by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (PDF)

Helicopter Critical Care Transport

MedCenter Air operates three helicopter bases that serve North and South Carolina. Located in Concord, Hickory and Rock Hill, the bases are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our custom American Eurocopter EC135 P2+ helicopters operate within a 150-mile radius of each base and are equipped to make scene and inter-facility responses. All are equipped with the following:

• Twin engines
• IFR capabilities
• Satellite tracked
• Night vision goggles
• Advanced medical equipment including LP-15 monitors, LTV1200 ventilators, IV infusion pumps, advanced drug supply and Intra Aortic Balloon Pump
• Two units of blood

Additionally, our crew’s capabilities are extensive:

• MedCenter Air’s helicopter pilots are provided under contract from Airmethods Corporation and hold FAA ATP helicopter certificates with instrument helicopter ratings.
• Pilots have logged at least 3,000 hours of helicopter flight time and 1,000 hours in turbine helicopters.

Additionally, our highly qualified crew must meet rigorous requirements:

• Crew members have RN/RN or RN/RRT configuration.
• Nurses and therapists 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, ITLS, ATLS, ACLS, PALS, NRP-certified, yearly rotations through high-risk OB, OR and cardiac catherization labs for procedure training.

A web-based GPS location tool helps our dispatch team find you using Global Positioning System coordinates.

Plane and Jet Critical Care 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. We operate two King Air B200 turboprop planes and two Cessna Citation jets. Learn more about our aircraft and capabilities.

Each crew member:

• Is a registered nurse and a registered respiratory therapist
• Has 3-5 years of practice in an intensive care unit or emergency department medicine
• Has EMS certifications
• Receives advanced training in aeromedical physiology, aircraft safety and transport protocols
• Trains in high-risk obstetrics (baby delivery), operating rooms and cardiac catheterization labs

Ground Critical Care Transport

MedCenter Air uses specialty care and critical care ambulances for patient transports throughout the region. Our critical care transport ambulances are based in Charlotte, Concord, Hickory, Huntersville, Kannapolis and Monroe, NC, as well as Rock Hill, SC.

Our specialized staff includes emergency medical technicians, paramedics, nurses and respiratory therapists. Our paramedics have at least three years of EMS experience and are trained in critical care ground transport.

Neonatal Pediatric Team

MedCenter Air’s neonatal and pediatric specialty team consists of registered nurses and registered respiratory therapists. Each has extensive training in neonatal transport using our aircraft and ambulances.

For Providers/Medical Transport Professionals

Learn more about our communications center, helicopter landing zone guidelines, outreach program and online tools and resources.

Contact MedCenter Air

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