Rega’s Challengers

Rega recently completed a 96-month overhaul of its fleet of Challenger CL604 fixed-wing aircraft, including an update of the onboard medical equipment and new exterior paintwork. After eight years of performing repatriation flights, the three ambulance jets were required to undergo comprehensive checks and maintenance work. This major overhaul was completed according to plan within just four weeks per aircraft and without operations being substantially restricted.
The company has staked its claim as the first rescue organisation to use the new Propaq MD, which integrates a multi-parameter monitor with a defibrillator and heart pacer, and was specially developed for air medical operations. The planes also benefit from new suction units from Laerdal.
On the rotary-wing fleet, all portable first-aid material and equipment carried onboard each helicopter is now distributed among three rucksacks, comprising a basic module (including an oxygen cylinder), an airway module and a recovery module. Depending on the type of mission, these bags can be combined as required. This modular system has also resulted in a reduction in weight. The new patient stretcher is two metres long, an important adaptation to cater for an ever-taller patient population. The latest improvements made to the stretcher and the new ‘Jungfrau’ recovery bag model, with its integrated patient safety system, serve to increase patient safety during rescue missions. Other updates are the new Conoxia carbon oxygen cylinders, which have half the weight and twice the capacity of previous models, and Medumat Transport ventilators.