CHI Aviation has shared more information about its Hurricane Harvey relief efforts in Texas.
According to director of business development Patrick Pilolla, CHI is staging a Sikorsky S-61N out of Sugar Land, Texas, about 20 miles southwest of downtown Houston. CHI is working for Air Methods Corp. to supplement that company’s aircraft with a heavy helicopter operating under Federal Aviation Regulations parts 135, 133 and 91.
“Yesterday was critical care patients transfer . . . moving critical care patients from hospitals in distress to fully operational hospitals,” Pilolla said on Aug. 30. He described the operations as similar to military-style casualty evacuations, with each patient being “transported on a litter with their individual life support not supplied by the helicopter, accompanied by medical staff on board.”
The company has also been conducting reconnaissance of landing areas near local hospitals in order to bring them needed supplies. These cargo transfers will be CHI’s next priority after transporting critical patients, Pilolla said.
Always good to see S-61L & N’s getting the Job done. I worked as a line Mechanic for LA Airways 1962-64. A good company too.
I went to LA in 1973 to take part in the assembly of one of the s61L helicopters that had been operated by LA air services/Golden West. Okanagan/CHC had bought the assets from the Bankruptcy sale. Best Helicopter ever made. Glad to see some still flying.