The fixed wing aircraft is another component of Vanderbilt’s comprehensive transport program. Each year, our fixed wing program transports patients to domestic and international destinations that include Cairo, Egypt and Mexico City. Whether the patient transport flight is elective or emergent, our aircraft is available seven days a week.

King Air B200
Our medically configured King Air B200 has the ability to transport patients 1200 miles non-stop and cruises around 300 miles per hour. It has the capability to transport two patients on separate medical systems. We utilize this aircraft for transports outside the range of our helicopters, and for medium range flights. 

Lear 35 Jet
A medically configured Lear 35 jet has the ability to transport one patient. It can fly 2200 miles non-stop and cruises around 525 miles per hour. We utilize this aircraft for flights throughout North America, including the Caribbean and Mexico.       

Crew Configuration      

Our program utilizes dedicated pilots for the fixed wing aircraft. The medical crew configuration is dependent upon the patient needs, and includes a matrix of flight nurses, flight paramedics, physicians, nurse practitioners, and respiratory therapists. Our typical matrix includes one flight nurse and one flight paramedic. All staff are highly trained and certified in multiple disciplines of emergency medicine, advanced invasive procedures, and advanced ICU skills such as intraaortic balloon pump therapy. The flight crew has access to the expert physicians at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Vanderbilt Children's Hospital for collaborative management during transport.      

Types of Care      

The flight crew is trained to transport neonatal, pediatric, and adult patients, as well as high risk obstetrics, multisystem trauma and burn patients, and organ transplant recipients. The program also performs repatriation flights. The aircraft is equipped with a multi-function ventilator, cardiac monitors, medical oxygen, compressed medical air, IV pumps, and an array of medications. 

Additional Capabilities 

With one phone call, the entire flight is coordinated, including air and ground transportation. Bedside-to-bedside arrangements are made by a dedicated flight coordinator experienced in assisting facilities with transport of patients with critical care needs. LifeFlight will coordinate insurance or pre-payment arrangements, and will provide written proposals upon request. Family members or companions can fly with the patient at no additional charge. LifeFlight continually monitors the flight path using satellite tracking and flight phones, and keeps in constant communication with the flight team, referring facility, accepting facility and patient’s family.