Lutheran Air

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Since 2004, the Lutheran Air flight program has been dedicated to providing air ambulance services focused on safety, quality, and speed for all critically ill or injured patients. We are committed to these objectives and our record proves it.

All three Lutheran Air helicopters are staffed with licensed and/or board-certified crews that are highly trained in various specialties to treat critically ill patients. Crew members make the most of their specialty training by focusing on the unique needs of each patient.

Whether it is an accident scene or hospital transfer, Lutheran Air teams are ready to take the call. In addition to medical training, crew members are trained extensively in the flight environment and the implications of providing care during air medical transports and emergency procedures.

Safety is our first priority; Lutheran Air pilots work diligently to ensure patients, medical crews and first responders are safe. The Lutheran Air fleet follows strict compliance to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards and regulations.

The Lutheran Air flight program operates three Airbus H130 aircraft, strategically positioned at various airport bases to optimize regional coverage. Lutheran Air made its maiden voyage to Lutheran Hospital in 2004. Today, it flies out of Portland Municipal Airport in Jay County. Lutheran Air II has flown out of Wabash Municipal Airport in Wabash County since 2013 and Lutheran Air III has flown out of Starke County Airport in Knox since 2016. The entire flight program is based at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne. Each Lutheran Air helicopter is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Lutheran Air exists to provide rapid transport and stabilizing treatment for patients facing a complete range of emergency medical conditions.

• The Lutheran Air flight program began in 2004. It added a second helicopter in 2013 and a third in 2016.
• The entire program is based at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.
• Lutheran Air I flies out of Portland Municipal Airport in Jay County, Lutheran Air II out of Wabash Municipal Airport in Wabash County and Lutheran Air III out of Starke County in Knox.
• The Lutheran Air fleet consists of side-loading Airbus H130 helicopters.
• The helicopters cover a radius of 150 miles from each base.
• The location of each helicopter in Lutheran's fleet is determined in part by identifying areas in northern Indiana and western Ohio where there are gaps in the availability of immediate air medical transport.
• The crew includes a pilot, nurse and paramedic.
• Crew members are certified in advanced cardiac, trauma life support and neonatal resuscitation.
• Lutheran Air pilots have a minimum of 2,000 pilot hours.
• Each base has an FAA A&P licensed mechanic who maintains the helicopter.
• The helicopters are equipped to care for patients ranging in age from neonatal to adult.
• There are two units of blood, TXA and Kcentra on each helicopter.
• Each helicopter is equipped with NVG capabilities.
• The crew is in constant contact with the communication center, hospital, emergency service personnel on the ground and other aircraft in the area.
• By calling Lutheran Hospital's STAT transfer center, the dispatcher can process helicopter requests and activate the team to action.
• Lutheran Air helicopters are tracked by our dispatchers using GPS tracking to monitor each aircraft and track times. A GPS computes the estimated time of arrival during the flight.
• The crew will honor patient/family requests for transport.
• Lutheran Air is a member of the Association of Air Medical Services and strictly adheres to safety guidelines.

Timeline

• 1979 - Lutheran ER begins Ground Transport
• 2004 - Lutheran Air 1 launched
• 2005 - 1st of 4 programs in the nation to carry blood on the aircraft 24/7
• 2006 - "One Call" Transfer Center is formed
• 2009 - Lutheran obtains Level II Trauma Verification
• 2013 - Lutheran Air 2 launched
• 2016 - Lutheran Air 3 launched
• 2017 - Maternal/Fetal Transport Team
• 2019 - Lutheran Air celebrates 15 years

Scene Safety

The Lutheran Air landing zone should be:

• Paved or a grassy surface area 100 x 100 square feet
• Clear of debris and overhead obstructions
• Marked with flares, lighted cones or emergency vehicles (one at each corner and a fifth on the side from which the wind is blowing).
• Vehicles used to illuminate the landing zone should be placed on the outside of the perimeter
• Secure the landing zone of traffic and bystanders

Keeping Everyone Safe at the Scene

• People on the ground should remain a minimum of 100 feet away from the landing zone.
• During takeoff and landing, the helicopter generates winds of approximately 75 mph. Ground personnel must protect patients and themselves from the hazards of flying debris and dust.
• The aircraft should be approached from the front only, as directed by the crew. The tail-rotor area should be avoided, and unauthorized personnel should not be anywhere near the vicinity.
• Crew members are the only ones with the authority to load and unload equipment or open and close the aircraft doors.
• Emergency lighting is essential to the pilot during takeoff and landing. Avoid flashbulbs, floodlights, headlights, etc. to ensure the pilot isn't blinded.