Life Flight Network and Spectrum Aeromed Unveil Liquid Oxygen System for Enhanced Patient Care in New Aircraft

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Life Flight Network, a premier air medical transport service serving the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West, has teamed up with Spectrum Aeromed, a leading provider of tailored air medical solutions based in Fargo, North Dakota. Together, they proudly announce the successful installation of a liquid oxygen (LOX) system in a brand-new Life Flight Network Pilatus PC-12 aircraft.

This milestone project represents a groundbreaking achievement in the air medical industry, as it is the first oxygen configuration of its kind to secure a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC). This certification signifies that the aircraft’s original design has been modified and approved by the FAA, ensuring the highest safety and performance standards.

The successful navigation of the complex FAA modification approval process was made possible through the expertise and engineering prowess of Spectrum Aeromed. Thanks to their diligent efforts, Life Flight Network’s first LOX-capable Pilatus PC-12 was officially delivered on September 27th.

This advanced liquid oxygen system will enhance Life Flight Network’s capacity to provide critical care and transport to patients in need, further solidifying its commitment to delivering exceptional air medical services across the region.

“This collaboration with Spectrum Aeromed exemplifies our unwavering dedication to continuously improving the level of care we provide to our patients,” said Casey Seckel, chief clinical officer at Life Flight Network. “The addition of liquid oxygen capabilities in our Pilatus PC-12 aircraft marks a significant milestone in our mission to serve communities across the region, allowing for extended duration of use, and greater portability and accessibility. The addition of this resource more than triples the carrying capacity for oxygen, a vital resource for our critically ill and injured patients.”

Life Flight Network and Spectrum Aeromed have forged a strong, enduring partnership focused on providing high-quality, innovative air ambulance equipment and tailored installations. Their latest collaboration introduces a state-of-the-art liquid oxygen system, a significant achievement that enhances Life Flight Network’s ability to serve critical air medical patients requiring oxygen during extended fixed-wing transports.

This advanced liquid oxygen solution reflects Spectrum Aeromed’s commitment to maximizing efficiency through a space-saving design that does not compromise oxygen capacity. Unlike previous methods of providing additional in-flight oxygen, this innovative approach ensures that Life Flight Network can deliver optimal care to patients in need, reinforcing their dedication to life-saving air medical services.

“The integration of our dedicated interior, including the revolutionary Liquid Oxygen (LOX) technology, into the Pilatus PC-12 not only enhances operational efficiency but also significantly improves patient care capabilities,” says Matthew Christenson, VP Account Executive at Spectrum Aeromed. “This solution, particularly the LOX system, exemplifies our commitment to innovation, offering unparalleled space and weight savings. A single 5-Liter LOX orb, for instance, drastically reduces weight while providing a continuous oxygen supply, enabling longer missions.”

Life Flight Network is set to equip its entire fleet of Pilatus PC-12 aircraft with liquid oxygen in the coming years, exemplifying the not-for-profit’s ongoing commitment to reinvesting in its fleet, staff, and the communities it serves. Retrofitting the entire fleet will require significant investment, and the organization encourages community support through the Life Flight Network Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 2009 to provide essential financial assistance for its mission services. Those interested in contributing to this initiative can reach out to the foundation for more information.

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