Praise for Australian made helicopter stretcher system

One of EMQ's three AW139s pictured at it Townsville Airport base. (photo - Paul Sadler) — One of EMQ's three AW139s pictured at its Townsville Airport base. (Paul Sadler)

Caloundra Airport’s Helimods has designed and manufactured a new light weight patient stretcher loading system allowing EMS aircrews to more easily and efficiently load patients onboard helicopters.

The MultiDeck stretcher loading system, manufactured using composite materials and alloys, was designed to meet the joint safety requirements of Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ) and Ambulance Service of NSW for use on their AW139 helicopters.

“We completed a detailed international study of the existing stretcher systems available to install into our new AW139 helicopters, and decided that the locally produced option would best suit our specialised requirements and provide greater flexibility,” said Tony Hodgkinson, EMQ’s chief engineer.

Most of the MultiDeck’s components were manufactured by suppliers in south east Queensland, with HeliMods completing final assembly at its Caloundra facilities.

“The HeliMods design option meant that we could provide input to make it perfect for our operational needs,” said EMQ chief pilot Captain Trevor Wilson. “Now that the final product is in service, we believe that it is far better than any of the comparable internationally available products in terms of overall functionality and versatility.”

HeliMods says it has had a good deal of international interest in the Multideck and is currently in discussions with international operators for export sales.