Night Vision Goggle Technology Enhances Night Flight Operations

Santa Rosa, CA – February 28, 2006 – REACH Air Medical Services (REACH) has completed the process of enhancing night-time operations for their helicopter crews by completing the installation of night vision goggles (NVG) in their Agusta A109 helicopter fleet. This effort was accomplished by a highly experienced outside vendor, Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU, Inc.) from Boise, Idaho, and represents the full integration of NVG capabilities company-wide.

“REACH is excited to have the NVG outfitting complete,” said REACH’s Chief Pilot Vicky Spediacci.
“The NTSB and the FAA view night vision goggles as one way of enhancing safety for night operations. Night vision goggles take any available ambient light, i.e. moon, stars, etc., and multiply it thousands of times. They are capable of turning darkness into near daylight conditions.”

“Historically, night vision goggles were only utilized by the military,” continued Spediacci. “Only recently, because of improvements to night vision devices, has this technology and experience been allowed to be transferred to the private aviation sector. REACH is in the forefront of the private EMS aircraft operators becoming the fifth program in the nation to fully implement NVG technology.”

NVGs have certain limitations and their use requires specialized training. In order to accomplish NVG capability, REACH crews have participated in an FAA approved, structured and specific training program. Each pilot has received 8 hours of classroom training and has participated in five hours of night time flight training. REACH has performed missions utilizing NVG technology since February of 2004 when their base in Lakeport, Calif. was established.

About REACH Air Medical Services: REACH Air Medical Services (REACH) www.reachairambulance.com, is headquartered in Santa Rosa, California and provides helicopter and airplane patient transportation for critically ill and/or injured patients. Since REACH’s inception in 1987, the company has performed more than 28,500 air ambulance missions and has developed a specialty in serving pediatric and neonatal patients. REACH supports bases in Concord, Lakeport, Lodi, Marysville, Redding, Sacramento, and Santa Rosa.

REACH was one of the first air transport programs to be fully CAMTS accredited (www.camts.org) and has one of the most aggressive safety programs in the air ambulance industry. REACH was also the first air ambulance company to receive FAA approval to respond in low-visibility conditions using established GPS routing procedures. REACH continues to be a leader in air ambulance safety by installing Night Vision Goggle technology in its aircraft to increase night flying safety. REACH is privately owned and operated.

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