Press Release

Issued by Babcock Mission Critical Services Espana.

October 4, 2013

INAER Spain's proven experience in HEMS operations 24 hours a day has been highlighted this year at Helitech International, Europe's biggest helicopter event.

Helitech International took place in London from 24th - 26th September and welcomed the leading manufacturers of helicopters and aircraft components as well as international specialist service providers and clients. The event brought together top industry professionals during a programme of lectures and workshops on specific topics relating to helicopter operations.

Carlos de la Cruz, pilot commander and instructor for HEMS operations for INAER, made a presentation on the operation and technical complexity of medical operations at night, as well highlighting the use of state-of-the-art systems such as the Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS), which INAER has pioneered in Spain.

Experts in night flying

At Helitech, INAER announced it has obtained certification through EASA for the use of NVIS in its fleet of EC-145 HEMS helicopters, making them the first and only helicopters certified by EASA-Eurocopter for civil use in Spain.

NVIS is a specialised system that requires the installation of specialist equipment and the modification of lighting instruments to prevent interference from the night vision goggles. Thanks to the NVIS system, safety is improved and optimal visual conditions are guaranteed for personnel on-board INAER's medical helicopters.

During his presentation, Carlos de la Cruz demonstrated how INAER had pioneered the use of night vision goggles as part of the NVIS system. Apart from increasing visibility, the night vision goggles allow for better visual contact with the ground and with visual references during night flights. Similarly, the goggles facilitate detection of meteorological references such as clouds, which allow the pilot to identify which way is up.

More than 8,000 emergency missions completed

Since 2006, INAER has flown emergency healthcare missions 24 hours a day in Castilla La Mancha, the Balearics and the Canary Islands. In 2012 alone, the company carried out 8,228 HEMS missions, attending to 6,658 casualties suffering from conditions including trauma, heart attacks, strokes, sepsis, as well as providing neonatal transport.