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Island Air receives fourth Aviation safety excellence awardposted 10/15/2007
"While we do numerous aviation safety audits, only a select few are recognized for their excellence. Island Air is the first and only flight operation in the United States to receive this award four times," said Tom Harris, Vice President of Inspection Services for Phoenix who presented the award. The safety audit and subsequent award presentation occurred in Friday Harbor on October 9, 2007. This is the fourth time that Island Air has received this award since 2002. "We salute Island Air for their safety program and on the receipt of this significant award. We are pleased to be joined with Island Air in providing safety conscious, fixed wing air ambulance services for our community," said Jim Cole, Chief of San Juan Island EMS. "On behalf of all the people associated with Island Air, and now Island Air Ambulance, I am honored to accept this award," said Jackie Hamilton, President of Island Air. "Aviation safety is something that we think about every waking moment." Island Air, founded in 1992, provides flight services throughout the San Juan Islands, the Pacific Northwest, and British Columbia. Through its health care partnership with San Juan Island Emergency Medical Services, it also provides fixed wing air ambulance services for residents and visitors to San Juan County. Two three-wheel ambulances bring the hospital closer to San Juan IslandStory and photos by Sharon Kivisto
The tail of the "Whiskey Juliet" was unveiled revealing the new EMS Island Air Ambulance logo. 04/16/2007 The list is not complete but gives some idea of the battle it took to become the first single-piston air ambulance in the continental United States certified by the FAA. EMS Chief Jim Cole described the process as a puzzle which needed to be put together. "We had no idea what it would look like or if it would fit together or work." One of the more unusual pieces was provided by Doug Hill. The plane was certified, the stretcher system was certified. But the connection between the two wasn't and the state FAA was't going to certify it. Hill flew in from Nebraska and was able to provide the crucial certification. "It was convoluted," he said. "We have the expertise. We certify modifications all the time." The day before the ceremony he certified the second Cessna - Whiskey Juliet. U.S. Rep Rick Larsen (D. 2nd) was the key to pushing the project through. When the project stalled at the FAA, Larsen called the director and told him to approve the project. There are now two Cessna aircraft outfitted with the stretcher system. EMTs have gone through extensive training. At the Hospital Board meeting tonight (Wednesday, April 28) the charges for transport will be set. The air ambulance is for transport for basic life support. It will be able to fly under instrument flight rules. Patients needed advanced life support will use Airlift Northwest helicopter medevac.
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Island Air Ambulance Celebration Sunday April 15The community is invited to a celebration of the new Island Air Ambulance service to be held on Sunday, April 15 at 1:30 p.m. in the Island Air hangar at the Friday Harbor Airport. Island Air’s specially configured Cessna aircraft and the FAA-certified Lifeport Stretcher will be on display and will be demonstrated by the flight-certified EMTs. The many islanders who have supported the development of the air ambulance service will be recognized, along with the government officials who facilitated the licensing process. This event is the formal inauguration of the Island Air Ambulance. This service provides faster transportation from the San Juan Islands to mainland hospitals for stable patients with non life-threatening injuries or illnesses. Rep. Rick Larsen, state Sen. Harriet Spanel and Councilman Kevin Ranker are among the invited attendees. Door prizes will be awarded and refreshments will be served. The celebration will be at the Island Air hangar at Friday Harbor Airport. Parking is available in front of Aeronautical Services off Airport Circle. Pedestrian access to the hangar is via the gate next to Aeronautical Services. Island Air Ambulance is a healthcare partnership of San Juan Island EMS and Island Air Inc. Island Air Inc. is a safety award winning, charter company that has provided on-demand flight services throughout the San Juan Islands, Pacific Northwest, and British Columbia since 1992. It currently operates a fleet of five Cessna aircraft and has a staff of eight veteran pilots who have a combined experience of more than 75,000 accident-free flight hours. San Juan Island EMS is the tax supported, county EMS agency serving the residents and visitors of San Juan Island, Town of Friday Harbor, Brown Island, Stuart Island, Johns Island, Speiden Island, Pearl Island and Henry Island in San Juan County, Washington. It provides emergency medical services, critical care transport, and injury and accident prevention. The staff of career paramedics and volunteer EMTs is available twenty-four hour a day. Island Air to Operate Air Ambulance Serviceposted 01/30/2007
Island Air's specially configured Cessna aircraft will transport stable patients requiring only Basic Life Support (BLS) – injuries and illnesses that do not require extensive medications or procedures. The aircraft is equipped to accommodate stretcher-bound patients and the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel who accompany them. Patients will be flown to the airport nearest the hospital or medical facility at which they are to receive care, and will then be met by an ambulance to complete the transport. Continuity of care will be provided by EMS personnel. Island Air's Cessna 206 is the first small aircraft licensed for Air Ambulance service by the FAA in the continental United States. This airplane is capable of landing at more than 14 airfields serving virtually all of the major islands in San Juan County. This service can dramatically shorten the time needed to transport a BLS patient to medical facilities by eliminating the need for a ferry or boat transport. The aircraft is configured to accept a specially developed Lifeport Plus stretcher system whose engineering, certification and purchase were funded by community donations. FAA approval of the new stretcher and air ambulance service was actively supported by Rep. Rick Larsen, Sen. Maria Cantwell, San Juan County Councilman Kevin Ranker, San Juan Island EMS, Inter Island Medical Center, and Orcas Island Fire and Rescue. "This new service will help ensure that San Juan County families get timely access to critical emergency care. I congratulate Island Air on making this important contribution to the community," said Congressman Larsen. "Prompt medical care is a critical issue of public health and safety for residents and visitors of the San Juan Islands. This is a significant new resource for us all. We thank Island Air and Congressman Larsen for their commitment to making this happen," said Kevin Ranker of the San Juan County Council and the County Board of Health. "After a tremendous amount of hard work, and cooperative support from the FAA, our elected officials, and our medical professionals, we are thrilled to add this important aviation service which will benefit our local communities," said Jackie Hamilton, President of Island Air. Airlift Northwest will continue to provide vital Advanced Life Support (ALS) transport to mainland hospitals using their helicopters. ALS typically involves the use of medications and specialized equipment associated with life-threatening conditions and the need for multiple flight nurses. "The combination of the Island Air BLS service with the Airlift Northwest ALS service will allow us to provide a broad range of transportation services for patients who require medical assistance in reaching a hospital. This is a major addition to our patient care capabilities," said Jim Cole, Chief of San Juan Island EMS. Depending upon circumstances and insurance coverage, BLS transport service is expected to be reimbursable under Medicare and by many private health insurance plans. The charges for this BLS service are expected to be substantially lower than the charges for ALS transport. Island Air Inc. is a safety award winning, charter company that has provided on-demand flight services throughout the San Juan Islands, Pacific Northwest, and British Columbia since 1992. It currently operates a fleet of five Cessna aircraft and has a staff of eight veteran pilots who have a combined experience of more than 75,000 accident-free flight hours. San Juan Island EMS is the tax supported, county EMS agency serving the residents and visitors of San Juan Island, Town of Friday Harbor, Brown Island, Stuart Island, Johns Island, Speiden Island, Pearl Island and Henry Island in San Juan County, Washington. It provides emergency medical services, critical care transport, and injury and accident prevention. The staff of career paramedics and volunteer EMTs is available twenty-four hour a day. FAQsposted 01/30/2007
Island Air's fixed wing air ambulance service will principally be to provide faster Basic Life Support (BLS) patient transport to mainland hospitals and medical facilities. This new service will be based in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. This should result in shorter response times as the aircraft will not have to first fly from a mainland airport. In the past, there have been situations when weather at a mainland airport has prevented an aircraft from coming to the San Juans. However, weather in the Islands and at the airport near the patient's hospital could allow Island Air to provide the Air Ambulance service. An additional benefit of the new service is that, in many circumstances, a family member can fly along with the patient subject to FAA rules and regulations. What is the difference between the new Air Ambulance services provided by Island Air and those provided by Airlift Northwest? Island Air's new air ambulance service is for BLS transport, involving stable patients with non life-threatening injuries or illness (e.g. broken leg) who do not require extensive medications or procedures. BLS service will be provided in a specially configured Cessna fixed wing aircraft. Ambulance transportation will be arranged at the destination airport before the Island Air Ambulance departs, and will be scheduled to meet the aircraft upon arrival. The ambulance and the aircraft will be staffed by EMTs who will maintain the continuity of care. Airlift Northwest provides Advanced Life Support (ALS) transport involving patients with life-threatening injury or illness (e.g. heart attack or major trauma). Airlift's ALS service is usually provided in a helicopter and the patient is flown directly to an appropriate tertiary care hospital. What about visitors who need this service? The service will be available to visitors. It will be available to any patient whose physician requests they be transported. What will be the availability of Island Air to conduct Air Ambulance or other pressing flights? Air Ambulance flights will be limited to the specially configured Cessna aircraft (N707WJ) which, on occasion, may be dispatched on other flights or be unavailable due to routine maintenance. Island Air is presently working to secure FAA approval to utilize the Lifeport Plus stretcher system in a second Cessna 206 aircraft. Island Air has a veteran staff of qualified pilots and five aircraft that could be available 24/7 to perform pressing, non-Air Ambulance flights. These would be charter flights in any of Island Air's aircraft. What will be the cost of Island Air's BLS Air Ambulance transport? These costs are just now being developed. Island Air, San Juan Island EMS and San Juan Island Hospital District #1 are working to define an affordable cost structure for all of the elements involved in BLS Air Ambulance transport. Costs will likely vary by flight destination and whether the flight occurs during the day or in the middle of the night. The cost of a BLS Air Ambulance airplane flight is expected to be substantially less than an ALS Air Ambulance helicopter flight. Will Medicare or my insurance company pay for BLS transport by Island Air? This will depend upon both the specific nature of the patient's condition and the individual coverage provisions of Medicare and private insurance companies. Medicare and most insurance carriers are expected to provide full or partial coverage for BLS Air Ambulance services, if deemed medically necessary by the attending physician. Special plans such as AirCare are discussed below. I have a membership in Airlift Nothwest's $79 AirCare plan. Does this apply to BLS Air Ambulance services provided by Island Air? No. AirCare is a product of Airlift Northwest and covers only emergent air medical transport services provided by Airlift Northwest based on medical need as requested by the attending physician or medical professional. Does Island Air offer a plan similar to AirCare? No, not at this time. If the community expresses interest, Island Air would consider developing such a plan. Safety Excellence Award given to Island Air
Pictured left to right: Jim Wood, Bob Jamieson, Tom Schramm, Jackie Hamilton, Alan Dortch, Jonathan Taylor. Not Pictured: Chris Chouinard, Ed Griswold, Ken Overfield posted 02/14/05 This is the second consecutive time that Island Air has received this award. Since Phoenix began their aviation safety audit program, only a select few out of several thousand-flight operations have been recognized for their excellence. Island Air received the highest safety score ever awarded in these audits. This award recognizes Island Air for its continuing commitment to safety throughout the company’s operations. Tom Harris, Manager of Inspection Services for Phoenix said, "Island Air is the benchmark by which we evaluate the safety of air charter operators nationally." Island Air, founded in 1992, and now one of the largest woman-owned and managed air carriers in the U.S., provides flight services throughout the San Juan Islands, the Pacific Northwest, and British Columbia. Utilizing a fleet of six Cessna aircraft, Island Air operates about 4,500 flights per year, all of them on-demand charter. The company’s staff includes nine veteran pilots, with an average of more than 13 years of Island flying experience and a combined experience of more than 75,000 accident-free flight hours. "Every person associated with Island Air knows that safety is priority number one, in everything we do," said Jacqueline Hamilton, President and Chief Pilot of Island Air. "On-demand charter flying can present some interesting challenges, especially here in the rugged environment of the Pacific Northwest, but we won’t compromise the safety of our flights for any reason." Further information about Island Air can be found on the company’s web site at sanjuan-islandair.com. New Amphibious Float Plane Serviceposted 08/30/01 ISLAND AIR President Jackie Hamilton said, "The addition of this aircraft to our fleet, and Hans Munich to our experienced pilot team, allows us to expand our customized flight service offerings to residents and visitors of the Puget Sound region." Senior Beaver pilot, Hans Munich, who has logged over 6,000 flight hours locally and in Alaska said, "Customers can now use this aircraft to literally fly directly from their boat or dock to SEA-TAC. In combination with our wheel plane service, customers can now fly efficiently and economically from mainland locations to remote destinations along Vancouver Island and the Inside Passage." He added, "It’s also a marvelous and memorable way for folks to see Puget Sound, the San Juan Island’s, and beautiful British Columbia." ISLAND AIR specializes in providing affordable on-demand land and sea aircraft charters and scenic flights throughout the Northwest and Canada. In addition to the newly added amphibious Beaver, the company also flies three-passenger and five-passenger Cessna aircraft. Further information regarding this new service can be obtained by calling ISLAND AIR at 1-888-378-2376. Island Air receives safety excellence award
posted 01/10/03
The award recognized that Island Air’s operating policies have resulted in superior flight operations, and specifically noted that Island Air enjoys an impeccable safety record. In accepting this award, Island Air President Jackie Hamilton said, “I’m a mother hen when it comes to safety, and I was pleasantly surprised that all of us, especially our pilots and mechanic, received this national recognition." Island Air currently provides charter service in three and five-passenger Cessna aircraft. The company has eight very experienced charter pilots that average over 24 years and 8,000 hours of flight experience. Island Air’s Mark Smith is also an FAA-designated Aviation Safety Counselor. Further information can be found on the company’s Web site. |
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