Medevac - air ambulance explained
Choosing an air ambulance or a medical flight is a critical decision that can weigh heavily on a patient’s family and loved ones.
PrivateFly's mission is to offer assistance 24 hours a day to organise your medical flight and crew, while guaranteeing a fair price.
Contact our 24/7 expert Flight Team or call +44 (0)20 7315 4406 for advice and pricing for your medevac requirement.
WHAT IS AN AIR AMBULANCE?
An air medical evacuation (also known as a medevac or medivac) is a method of transporting patients who are too ill to travel long distances by ground.
An air ambulance is a private jet that has been specially equipped for a patient that requires extensive or urgent medical assistance during transportation.
It is the safest and quickest travel option for patients who are too sick or weak to endure the rigours of commerical flights.
Private jets and air ambulances can use ten times more airports than commercial airlines, allowing to operate into the closest airports to the treating and the receiving hospitals.
The aircraft is manned by a medical flight crew including a doctor and/or a nurse and carries extensive medical equipment including respirators, medication, an ECG, CPR equipment and stretchers.
PrivateFly is available 24 hours a day on +44 (0)20 7315 4406 for all your medevac requests. Or contact us online.
AIR AMBULANCE CHARTER
Through our global network, PrivateFly provides access to a range of accredited operators who provide specialist medical transport and air ambulance services worldwide.
The PrivateFly network locates the most suitable medical transportation aircraft and evacuation services for the circumstances including:
- Urgent 24/7 air ambulance response
- Medical aircraft charter
- Complete “bed-to-bed” medical transportation service
- Fully-equipped, dedicated aircraft
- Specialist medical teams
Call PrivateFly on +44 (0)20 7315 4406 (24 hours) or contact us online for medevac help and advice.
HOW MUCH DOES AN AIR AMBULANCE COST?
PrivateFly’s goal is to provide the highest quality medical transport services at the best possible price. The price is based on a number of factors, including:
- The aircraft type
- The distance of the flight
- The medical condition of the patient and treatment required
- The location of the aircraft and medical crew in relation to the closest airport
- If a ground ambulance is required (this can meet the patient at the aircraft steps upon arrival and transfer to the receiving hospital)
When you contact PrivateFly, we can give you an indicative cost for your medical flight immediately, followed by the final cost very quickly, depending on the specific flight and medical requirements.
Our expert Flight Team will stay at your disposal to assist with any medical travel insurance paperwork required. Contact us online or call +44 (0)20 7315 4406 (available 24 hours).
WHAT ARE THE MOST POPULAR AIRCRAFT FOR AIR AMBULANCES?
1. Helicopter Eurocopter AS350-AS355
Helicopters are often used in remote areas or mountains for medical evacuations.
Helicopters do not need a runway to land and therefore can get closer to the place where the patient needs to be picked up and the place where he needs to be dropped. However, the range of helicopters is limited; these can only operate for a two hour flight maximum.
2. Beech King Air 200
This twin turbo-propeller has made its proofs in the civil aviation, offering cost effective solutions for short range flights.
In addition to its relatively low operating costs, the King Air 200 can operate into airports with short and/or grass runways. Therefore, it is viewed as a good option for medical evacuation, offering a wide range of airports to operate from and into.
3.Learjet 35A
As with all Learjets, the Learjet 35 is known for its flight range, combined with good handling characteristics, low fuel burn and fast cruise speeds.
It has a range of up to 1900nm and is the best option for a speedy medical evacuation for a 3 hours flight.
4. Dassault Falcon 50
The Falcon 50 is a super mid-size jet offering an increased range and cabin volume, allowing enough space for both the patients and the medical crew to have a comfortable flight. Its performance levels are high, such as its range and its takeoff distance and steep approached capabilities (Falcons are the only heavy jets allowed into London City airport), make it an excellent choice for fights within 3200 nautical miles.
5. Challenger 604
The Challenger 604 is the state-of-the-art air ambulance. It has a higher range than the Falcon 50, capable of flying up to 4000 nautical miles. It can perform long range ambulance flights with no stop and offering ultimate comfort and equipment for the patient, the crew and the accompanying passengers.
For advice on medevac flights call the PrivateFly team of experts on +44 (0)20 7315 4406 24 hours or contact us.