An Editorial Opinion

A Helicopter for All Missionsby Howard M. Collett

For years a multi-mission helicopterhas been the dream ofmany public servicehelicopter agencies. That it only was adream was due in part to the lack of anysingle mission requirement large enoughto fund an expensive helicopter operation.

Charter utility helicopters are used forVIP transport, real estate observation,photo missions, cargo hauling, explorationand a myriad of other roles on a piece-mealbasis. Few see action in a singular role formore than a few weeks. Due to their non­commercial role, public service helicoptershave a more limited application. Butthere's one exception: the police/EMShelicopter. Itprobably is the best exampleof a multi-mission helicopter role.

In 1948, the first police helicopter tookto the skies in New York City. The Los An­geles County Sheriffstarted flying in 1955,and got serious with its "Sky Knight"program in 1966. Since that time, manypolice units have looked for added mis­sions to justify larger and faster helicop­ters. Some state police units were able toachieve that goal early.

In 1969, the Maryland State Policemixed police and EMS, and obtained twoBell H-l "Hueys." They soon transitlonedto eight JetRangers. In 1972 Arizona'sDepartment of Public Safety (DPS) pur­chased Bell JetRangers for a similar pur­pose. Meanwhile, most other police unitswere flying two/three place piston­powered helicopters.

Not that size mattered-- many of thoseunits were and are contented to fly small,efficient helicopters and tendjust to policebusiness. But others had expanded needsfrom the traditional police role, andbought larger helicopters, still otherswanted to buy bigger machines and wentin search of expanded needs.

Through the late 1970's and early1980's, many agencies were able to justifyand acquire larger rotary-wing craft.Arizona's DPS, Washington Park Police,the Virginia State Police and others allpurchased Bell LongRangers in part tobetter fulfill the needs of patienttransport. But in Maryland, the smallerJetRangers worked even harder as theygot older. They have transported as manyas 3,500 patients in a single year in addi­tion to search and rescue and a long menuof police functions.

Then in 1986, the State of Marylandretained a consulting group to look into

the Maryland State Police (MSP) systemand recommend, among other things, pos­sible replacements for their aging fleet ofJetRangers. A six-month study produced,among other things, a recommendationfor an all-twin-engine fleet.

To minimize costs, the consultants sug­gested a mix of light (4,000-6,000 grossweight) and medium (6,000-8,000 grossweight) helicopters to fulfill the state'smulti-mission role. But that role began toexpand, and a year later out went an RFPfor a helicopter to carry numerous state­of-the-art EMS and surveillance options.The list included such items as rescuehoists, FUR (Forward-Looking Infra­Red) surveillance systems, a three-millioncandlepower NightSun searchlight, anONI (Offshore Navigation Inc.) Loranautomatic flight following system, singlepilot IFR capabilities, engine trendmonitoring, and the latest designs inmedical interior configurations.

Itquickly becameobvious that a smallerhelicopter would not do. The list offinalists included the pride of the sky..•Sikorsky'sS-76, Bell's 412, MBB'sBK-117,Agusta's 109 and Aerospatiale's 365Nl.The smaller of the finalists could not holdall the weight and complete the missionprofile as designated in the RFP, and thelargest was too big. In the middle was the412 and the 365Nl, with the latter beingchosen. It was a great day for Aerospatiale.

Perhaps this explanation oversimplifiesthe 12-month RFP drafting, vendor bid­ding and contract selection process. Butthe result appears to be a helicopter for allseasons and all missions.

The 365Nl has a range longer thanmost: 460 nautical miles (530 statutemiles). It also has a respectable top speed:160knots (184 mph). Two engines were re­quired for the extensive overwater opera­tions needed for patient transport toBaltimore from eastern Maryland. Therescue hoist was added for overwater andforest rescue. The FUR was desired forsophisticated search and rescue, drug in­terdiction and surveillance. The NightSunwould be useful for ground unit backupand fugitive search at night.

With helicopters flying throughout thestate, the ONI Loran flight following willprovide instantaneous fleet location for ef­fective dispatching or in case of a helicop­ter accident. Engine trend monitoring willprovide the pilot with engine operation

and performance data. A custom-designedmedical interior will provide the latest inmedical care technology for voluminouspatient transports. And the craft iscapable of carrying up to two crewmen,two medical attendants and two patientson side-by-side stretchers.

First deliveries of the new 365NlDauphins are expected in January, thesame time the new 7-story Shock-Traumacenter is opened by MIEMSS (MarylandInstitute for Emergency Medical ServicesSystems). The structure will contain 72critical care beds. One helistop and twohelicopter parking pads willbe located onthe roof.

"The mission is still the same," saidMajor Warner Sumpter, commander ofMSP's Aviation Division. "It's medevac,followed by search and rescue and thenlaw enforcement. That's the same priorityas before." Sumpter stated that the newships will "increase our medicalcapabilities, and the number and types ofpatients we can serve. The paramedics willbe able to do a lot of other things with theirskills than they are currently."

Sumpter also said the larger craft wouldeliminate current weight restrictions onpatients or medical equipment, and thatthe rescue hoist willallow them to do awaywith the rescue net, which required themto fly to a landing place before they couldload the victim inside the helicopter.

Other changes are happening in con­cert with the acquisition announcement.Civilian pilots have recently been inter­viewed for the first five civil pilot posi­tions, and MSP will be looking for fivemore later this fall. Civilian pilots will notbe cross-trained in police work, but will bescheduled with other sworn officers on aduty shift.

Sumpter also expects to retain some ofthe smaller JetRangers, at least for theforeseeable future. "Naturally with the ex­pense of these [the new twin-engine]aircraft," said Sumpter, "if there are thingswe can schedule in the law enforcement orsearch side that won't require the more ex­pensive twin-engine craft, then we'regoing to do that."

The Maryland State Police project hascaptured the attention of America'shelicopter industry. Their hardware selec­tion may indeed prove the concept for "ahelicopter for all missions," now and forthe next century.

HOSPITAL AVIATION,JUNE 1988 5