STARS Air Ambulance’s new helicopter, the AW139, made its first appearance in Westlock on Aug. 23 as part of a publicity tour and training run.
The aircraft landed at the Westlock hospital’s helipad at around 11:20 a.m. in front of a large crowd that included town and county firefighters, hospital staff and interested onlookers. It stayed on the ground for about 30 minutes before departing for its next stop in Tomahawk, Alta.
After the helicopter had departed, town fire chief Stuart Koflick said he was impressed by what the aircraft and what it could mean for emergency services in the region.
“It’s a great addition to the STARS fleet,” he said. “With its size, its technology and the number of patients it can carry, it will really be an asset.”
He singled out the technological improvements and new equipment on the new aircraft, explaining he really likes how it is equipped for multiple roles. Not only can it serve as an air ambulance, but it is also able to perform search-and-rescue duties when needed.
Koflick added the helicopter has been a long time coming, and while he doesn’t want to wish ill on anyone, he is somewhat eager to see it in action for an actual scene call.
County fire chief John Biro was also impressed by what he had seen, and said he expects the new helicopter will continue to provide residents with “great support” in emergency situations.
Because the new helicopter is much larger than their older models, Biro said landing sites on scene will need to be larger than in the past, meaning there will be some on-the-ground changes necessary when STARS is called. However, he said he’s been assured the aircraft can land in many different settings, albeit at the pilot’s discretion.
Regardless of the potential complications, he said it’s good to have a new piece of equipment available if necessary.
“I’ve always said they’re kind of an angel in the sky when you see them flying in,” Biro said. “It’s a great relief when we hear that they’re en route and we see them in the sky.”
STARS community education leader Ryan O’Meara said bringing the new AW139 out to rural communities is part of the association’s final training run for the helicopter’s crews.
“It allows the crews more time to get familiar with the helicopter and the areas they’ll be flying to,” he said, adding they’ll also be able to make sure all the systems work.
The tour is also a chance for the outlying communities to get a look at the aircraft and see firsthand its size and start figuring out how to adapt to its needs.
O’Meara said the AW139 is about twice the weight of their current fleet of BK117s. In terms of size, he said it’s between one-and-a-quarter and one-and-a-third times as large as the BK117.
Thanks to the added size, paramedics and flight nurses will have more room to work while in the air, he said.
In addition, the AW139 is capable of cruising at 278 km/h, more than 50 km/h faster than the BK117’s cruising speed of only 225 km/h. The AW139 also has a range of approximately 700 kilometres before needing to refuel.
Although the AW139 is meant to replace the BK117, O’Meara said STARS will continue to operate both models out of its Edmonton and Calgary bases. The AW139 will be the primary aircraft, while the BK117 will be the backup.
He added which helicopter is dispatched will depend on the mission.
At the other STARS bases in Grande Prairie, Saskatoon, Regina and Winnipeg, only the BK117 will be available until such time as the association acquires more AW139s.
