Volcanic cloud delays Jet Rescue flights from Europe

The 60km high cloud of ash that erupted from a volcano in Iceland is causing air traffic problems all over Europe. The Jet Rescue Air Ambulance transports that were supposed to take place today could sadly enough not go ahead. Until further notice the aircrafts are grounded.

Many people ask themselves what implications a volcanic cloud could have on airplanes and flights. We will give you an insight on how volcanic cloud training is addressed;

The pilots are tested on the correct implementation of the procedures underneath when a volcanic cloud is recognized by the pilot and in case the cloud could not be avoided. Each operator's flight operations manuals include more specific directions.
1. Reduce thrust to idle immediately. By reducing thrust, engines may suffer less buildup of molten debris on turbine blades and hot-section components. Idle thrust allows engines to continue producing electrical power, bleed air for pressurization, and hydraulic power for airplane control.
2. Turn the auto-throttles off. This prevents the engines from increasing thrust above idle. Ash debris in the engine can result in reduced surge margins, and limiting the number of thrust adjustments improves the chances of engine recovery.
3. Exit the ash cloud as quickly as possible. A 180-deg turn out of the ash cloud using a descending turn is the quickest exit strategy. Many ash clouds extend for hundreds of miles, so assuming that the encounter will end shortly can be false. Climbing out of the ash could result in increased engine debris buildup as the result of increased temperatures. The increased engine build-up can cause total loss of thrust.
4. Turn on engine and wing anti-ice devices and all air-conditioning packs. These actions improve the engine stall margins by increasing the flow of bleed air.
5. If possible, start the auxiliary power unit (APU). The APU can power systems in the event of a multiple-engine power loss. It can also be used to restart engines through the use of APU bleed air.
6. If volcanic dust fills the flight deck, the crew may need to use oxygen. Use flight deck oxygen at the 100 percent setting. Manual deployment of the passenger oxygen system is not required because it will deploy automatically if the cabin altitude exceeds 14,000 ft.
7. Turn on the continuous ignition. Confirm that auto-start is on, if available. In the event that the engines flame out or stall, use appropriate procedures to restart the engines. During restart, the engines may take longer than normal to reach idle thrust due to the combined effects of high altitude and volcanic ash ingestion. If an engine fails to start, try restarting it again immediately. Flight crews should remember that the airplane may be out of the air-start envelope if the encounter occurs during cruise.
8. Monitor engine exhaust gas temperature (EGT). Because of potential engine debris buildup, the EGT can climb excessively. The flight crew should prevent EGT exceedances. Shut down the engine and restart it if the EGT is approaching limits similar to a hung start.
9. Fly the airplane by monitoring airspeed and pitch attitude. If necessary, follow the procedure for flight with unreliable airspeed.

Jet Rescue flies home a critically ill UK patient from Cancun

Cancun, Mexico – In April 2010 Jet Rescue Air Ambulance transported on one of its air ambulances an UK tourist that had experienced serious medical problems while on a dream vacation in Cancun, Mexico.

The patient was diagnosed with the Guillain-Barre syndrome. The Guillan-Barre syndrom is an autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system attacks itself. This specific syndrome can occur at any age, but is most common in people between ages 25 and 50.

The Guillain-Barre syndrome causes inflammation that damages parts of nerves. This nerve damage causes tingling, muscle weakness, and paralysis. The inflammation usually affects the nerve's covering. Such damage is called demyelination. Demyelination slows nerve signaling and damage to other parts of the nerve can cause the nerve to stop working. Immediate treatment is required.

Both Cancun doctors and family decided it was better for the patient to be transported back to the UK in order to receive adequate medical care. As always it was important for Jet Rescue that the patient and its family did not get confronted with the burden of all the bureaucracy, paperwork and hassle that comes with an air ambulance transport. In Mexico the language and especially the cultural barrier can cause big delays and frustration to the patient and its family.

The Jet Rescue Air Ambulance multilingual flight coordination department made all the necessary arrangements to fly this patient back home, bedside to bedside. It sadly enough does not take much for your dream vacation to turn into a nightmare. Jet Rescue Air Ambulance always stresses for people to check if they are covered for air ambulance transportation when travelling abroad.

With the rising cost of medical fees overseas, foreign facilities not accepting US or European Insurance and sometimes sub standard medical care it is important to buy a decent travel protection plan.

A few preventative steps you should take before you actually go on your dream vacation;
- Get a travel insurance that covers medical cost & evacuation.
- Ask your insurance company if there is a manual with standard procedures in case of emergencies such as an accident/illness.
- Always have the 24h emergency phone number on you (this might be the phone number of an assistance company in case the insurance company outsourced this activity).

Jet Rescue´s new helicopter emergency medical service!

Mexico City - Jet Rescue Air Ambulance is proud to announce the opening of a new business unit based in Mexico City. The “Critical Air” business unit offers emergency evacuation by means of its A-119 Koala air ambulance helicopter.

Quick response teams are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in all weather conditions to ensure rapid and reliable medical retrieval in times of emergency. The helicopter, an A-119 Koala, is specially equipped to transport patients and medical crew. The helicopter can be deployed to even the most remote locations.

The A-119 Koala Helicopter is unique amongst single turbine powered helicopters, with a cabin volume that is approx 30% greater than other helicopters in its class. It has a cruise speed of 270 km/h and a maximum range of 1000 km.

The specially equipped air ambulance helicopter can accommodate up to two stretchers together with the medical crew. The internal layout includes provision for the installation of all necessary medical equipment to treat patients during transport. Two standard rails are positioned both in the cabin rear bulkhead and on upper side panels that include outlets for oxygen, emergency air and power.

Critical Air Helicopter Operations
• Urgent responses to major accidents, emergencies and neo-natal cases.
• Typical emergency scenarios include accidents where specialist on-scene medical care is required.
• Rescue of patients who find themselves in rugged terrain or remote locations.
• Helicopter retrieval incorporates both pre-hospital rescue and inter-hospital transfer services.