>>> FIXED-WING AIR AMBULANCE

The Mitsubishi MU-2 is a twin engine powered pressurised aircraft based at Hamilton Airport and is used mainly for the transportation of patients between hospitals. Its capacity to travel long distances in a range of weather conditions within New Zealand and to the Pacific Islands makes it the ideal aircraft for the job.

On average the MU-2 completes 300 inter-hospital transfers per year or 20-25 patients per month. These includes Intensive Care Unit and New Born Unit retrievals and A-Zero flights to outer lying areas. Along with the pilot, it can carry up to two patients or two incubators and four medical staff at one time.

Special Features

- TCAS - Traffic Collision Avoidance System
- EGPWS - Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System
- Moving Map GPS - Global Positioning System
- MFD - Multi-function Display. This incorporates a terrain, weather and traffic overlay and an electronic approach chart overlay.
- Direction finder used to locate emergency beacons.
- Two full medical kits and associated equipment

>>> PIPER CHIEFTAIN - SEARCH & RESCUE

This aircraft is also used for inter-hospital transfer with the capacity of one full medical installation for one patient. Its predominant use is Search & Rescue.

Special features are similar to the Mitsubishi MU-2 with the following additional equipment used for Search & Rescue.

- Marine Search Radar - detects reflective objects
- FLIR - Forward Looking Infra Red camera - detects heat source
- NVG - Night Vision Goggles - detects light source
- Air dropping of life rafts - four person capacity
- Air dropping of two-way radios
- Air dropping of Datum Buoys to measure ocean current drift

About the Pilot

Warren MacKay is the Pilot/Base Manager of the fixed-wing Waikato Air Ambulance. Previous experience includes time as a commercial pilot for the Air New Zealand group and Air Freight New Zealand. He initially joined the Waikato Air Ambulance in 1999 and is now permanently based in Hamilton.