HALO unveils new twin-engine helicopter

By Jeremy Appel on October 5, 2018.

jappel@medicinehatnews.com @MHNJeremyAppel

HALO unveiled its brand new BK-117 twin-engine air ambulance at the Medicine Hat airport Thursday.

The event included musical entertainment, food, drinks and a 50-50 draw, as well as appearances from Mayor Ted Clugston, and MLAs Bob Wanner and Drew Barnes.

“It’s something we’ve dreamed about for a long time, but now it’s finally come to reality,” said HALO chairman Dale Thacker.

The old Bell206 helicopter, which was on display with the new one, will be kept as a backup, he added.

“I’m still actually in love with the old helicopter,” admitted Thacker. “It’s a pretty good machine.”

The BK-117 is a bit faster, carries more weight and has better access to patients, he said.

The new machine also has a particle accelerator, which allows it to land in dusty conditions, preventing dust particles from entering the engine.

“It allows us to land in some pretty miserable conditions, whether it be a farmer’s field or whatever,” said Thacker. “We can go there with the BK.”

HALO is in negotiations with Alberta Health Services to determine how much of the cost the government will pay, as the new machine is pricier than the old.

The BK-117 picked up its first patient on Sept. 29, Thacker said.

Chief pilot Steve Harmer called the new vehicle “fantastic.”

HALO is responsible to Oyen in the north, the U.S. border to the south, the Saskatchewan border to the east and Bassano to the west.

“To put it in perspective, Cypress Hills from our airport here is about 11 to 12 minutes for us, so pretty darn quick,” said Harmer.

He also lauded the “tremendous support” from AHS and EMS.

“EMS have had carte blanche to set up the back how they want it and that’s what they’ve done,” Harmer said, adding that the front was arranged by pilots like himself.

Tricia Nardari, HALO executive board member, has been with the organization since 1998, before it was known as HALO, and has seen it change over the years.

“The helicopters change, the people have changed … governments have changed, the financial situations change,” said Nardari.

“There’s been 20 years of ups and downs, but in the end we’re here.”

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