Iridium Satellite today announced that emergency medical service provider MedSTAR Transport will equip its helicopter fleet with Sky Connect satellite terminals to enhance air-to-ground communications.

"Sky Connect gives us both an automated tracking solution for our helicopters and economical satellite voice communications, reducing the work load on our communications specialists and flight crews," said Christopher Wuerker, M.D., medical director of MedSTAR Transport. "The lightweight airborne hardware is especially important for installation in our EC135s. All in all, we believe the Iridium solution from Sky Connect will increase safety while simplifying operations."

MedSTAR Transport will fit its fleet of three EC135 and one BK117 helicopters with Sky Connect TRACKER systems, which will provide automated tracking and voice communications with the aircraft through the Iridium satellite network. "The TRACKER system will enable MedSTAR to view the location and status of its fleet anywhere and under virtually any conditions," said Wiley Loughran, senior vice president, sales and marketing, for Sky Connect. "MedSTAR has also purchased two indoor Sky Connect Iridium terminals, which may be linked to the hospital's PBX or hotline to ensure communications in case of any emergency such as a hurricane or other disaster in which normal communications are disrupted."

Loughran noted that more than 300 aircraft around the world are currently flying with Sky Connect equipment. The single-box system has established a reputation for high reliability, averaging 99.9 percent.

Don Thoma, executive vice president of Iridium Satellite, said, "MedSTAR joins the growing number of medical helicopter operators relying on Iridium for dependable flight tracking and air-to-ground communications in a lightweight, cost-effective package."

About MedSTAR

With four helicopters and a ground critical-care transport program, MedSTAR Transport is a primary source of life-saving transportation in the Baltimore-Washington corridor. The transport system originated out of Washington Hospital Center in 1983 to bring critically ill trauma patients to its Trauma Center, and was expanded to include Georgetown University Hospital in 2000. The transport service operates helicopters and a ground ambulance to move patients directly from scenes or between hospitals, serving a 150-mile radius. The transport service is clinically staffed by a critical care nurse-paramedic team. Additional crew is added as indicated, including a respiratory therapist and/or physician. The pilots have an equally challenging job flying over Washington, DC. On a daily basis, MedSTAR pilots circumnavigate 15 restricted airspaces in a high-volume air traffic area that rivals New York City and Los Angeles.