AMI launches general aviation and aero-med evac services for West Africa

Aspen Medical International (AMI) will this week begin operating a Beechcraft Corporation 1900C (B1900C) from James Spriggs Payne Airport, Monrovia, Liberia.

The turboprop will provide general aviation and Aero-Medical Evacuation (AME) services to West Africa including Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Senegal, Mali, Niger, & Nigeria.

"Aspen's mission is to provide healthcare for our clients from point of injury or illness through to definitive care, regionally or internationally, and that means aero-medical evacuation," said Dr Tom Crabtree, the Group Medical Director & Board Member of AMI.

Aspen Medical International operates the Aspen Medical Liberia clinic, located in Monrovia, and will soon open Aspen Medical Sierra Leone in Freetown. "Developing an AME capability was the natural next step as we expanded our services in Liberia and West Africa," Dr Crabtree added.

The aircraft's deployment is the result strategic partnership with Red Apple Aviation, Inc. (US), AAL USA, Inc., Liberty Airlines, Inc., and HALO Aviation.

For over 40 years, Red Apple Aviation, Inc. has provided aircraft for business and humanitarian applications globally. AAL USA, Inc., an Alabama-based aviation solutions provider, offers a wide variety of fixed and rotary wing services around the world.

HALO Aviation, operating from Johannesburg, South Africa offers tailored aviation solutions for local and cross border clients throughout Southern Africa.

Monrovia-based Liberty Airlines, Inc. has a proven track record working with the oil and gas community, providing ad hoc and contract time fixed and rotary wing services to companies operating in the Mano River Union and Gulf of Guinea.

The B1900C will operate under HALO Aviation's Part 135 and Part 138 Air Operating Certificates. The Part 138 is the South African Civil Aviation Authority's endorsement to conduct AME operations.

The 138 certification is the highest standard available on the Continent, and commensurate with European and United States standards. Under the Part 138 Operating Certificate, all aircrew are required to attend a professionally developed and detailed Part 138 Training Course.

The B1900C can ferry up to 19 passengers and is able to support critical AME using specially configured Spectrum AeroMed advanced life support equipment.