This Lifeflight helicopter was waiting at Albany General Hospital Saturday afternoon.
On a bike ride Saturday, I heard the rhythmic sound of a helicopter landing at Albany General Hospital. So I went that way to take a look.
Why, exactly? I don’t know. Curiosity, I guess. Helicopters are interesting items, as are most things having to do with aviation.
This craft, operated by the Lifeflight Network, had come from Salem to pick up and transport a patient.
Where to? The pilot said he didn’t know. They would tell him when they brought the patient out.
This aircraft, or rotorcraft, was an EC 135, the pilot told me when I asked.
I looked it up with the help of Google’s AI, which summarized what it gleaned from Wikipedia and other sources:
“Airbus H135 (formerly the Eurocopter EC135) is a popular light twin-engine utility helicopter. First introduced in 1996, a new model typically costs around $6.1 million, with pre-owned units ranging from $300,000 to $6.5 million. It features a distinctive shrouded Fenestron tail rotor and is widely used for emergency medical services (EMS), law enforcement, and corporate transport.”
More than a thousand of these craft have been produced in many variations in different parts of the world.
If you look online, you can learn a ton of details about this type of helicopter. For me, I was just glad there’s an airlift service that transports people for urgent medical care when the need comes up. (hh)
Here’s a peek inside the cockpit of the craft.
I knew Good Sam Corvallis had a helipad but I didn’t know Albany did. Thanks Hasso.
I don’t think Corvallis has a helicopter, rather they partner with helicopter medical services such as the LifeFlight at the Albany Hospital above. I believe that LifeFlight insurance is a bit under $100 a year.
Very interesting and different post. Thank you Hasso. I always look up when I hear a helicopter. Just something about them, especially those that are obviously medical transports. I’m sure many lives have been saved by rapid transport to medical care.
While very necessary, folks might get in rude awakening when the bill for it comes in…
Can easily be $15-$25K or more – NOT covered by standard insurance…
You are correct. However in some parts of Oregon, you can get the air ambulance service insurance through your local FireMed for an extra charge. This is not true in Albany and I suppose not true in Corvallis either. However you can purchase the insurance directly from LifeFlight.
Hasso, I found myself in many familiar places over the last weekend as I re-explored my birth city. It had been 30+ years and felt like magnets had drawn me back to some places. I saw that chopper as well, noticed it descending to land, and started my way to the hospital. I ended up behind a Ford Fusion taxicab in Bryant Park during a Latin Festival! Once able to see the sights and leave the park I took a right hand turn rolling through beautiful orchards and a blocked state park access. I began seeing what I believed to be memorial signs with your name on them. I was so very glad to see your proof of life post about this chopper on Saturday! Live well and live long sir!