11-27-13 —     PHI Air Medical is an air ambulance service with a new base at the 

Wayne County Airport.

    With a staff of four nurses, four paramedics, four pilots and one 

mechanic, PHI will be available at all times to respond to any 

emergency requiring helicopter response. Each flight carries one 

nurse, one paramedic and one pilot.

    PHI offers residents of Wayne County PHI Cares memberships at an 

annual fee of $40 per household.

    Members are protected financially if their bill is not fully paid by 

their insurance company.

    Members will not be charged by PHI for any fees related to air 

transport not covered by their insurance.

    PHI is a versatile company providing different regions with 

different service programs.

    Wayne County has a community program meaning that PHI employs the 

medical crew, pilot, mechanic and provides the helicopter. They do 

not have a partnership with a particular hospital.

    Some areas have traditional partnerships in which PHI provides the 

helicopter, pilot and mechanic, and the hospital employs the medical 

staff.

    In this situation, the helicopter would have the hospital's name on 

it, and the hospital would be the base.

    The hybrid program is a mix of the traditional and community 

programs. PHI provides the entire staff but has partnered with a 

particular hospital.

    All five bases in Kentucky—Paducah, Greenville, Morehead, London and 

now Monticello—are community bases.

    The crew at the Monticello base made it clear that safety is the 

number one priority. Before responding to a call, the crew performs 

various preflight checks.

    If just one member feels uneasy about taking off, the helicopter 

stays on the ground.

    Each aircraft in the company is equipped with night vision goggles 

to keep everyone safe around the clock.

    These policies along with many others are why PHI has been 

recognized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for safety.

    The helicopter operating out of the Monticello base has some 

impressive features. It is a twin engine aircraft which speaks again 

to safety being a priority.

    If for some reason one engine fails, the other engine will allow the 

helicopter to stay airborne.

    Most helicopters must fly at low altitudes to keep the ground in 

view. PHI helicopters are Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) capable. This 

means a pilot can enter a flight plan and use the aircraft's 

instruments to fly above cloud cover much like a commercial jet. The 

pilot can fly anywhere with a GPS approach. PHI pilots have a minimum 

of 2,000 flight hours.

    To learn more about PHI Air Medical and how to become a member, 

visit www.phiairmedical.com or stop by the base at the Wayne County 

Airport.