Night Vision For Air Rescue Medical Helicopters

A medical helicopter service is getting new technology designed to ensure patients and the crew get to and from their destinations safely.

Southeast Texas Air Rescue is buying night vision equipment.

Experts say that type of equipment might have prevented a PHI medical helicopter crash that killed four people near Huntsville earlier this month.

"It's a little nerve racking not being able to see anything but a black hole," said Robert Brantner.

Southeast Texas Air Rescue Pilot Robert Brantner can relax a bit .. with the arrival of new technology.

"To have goggles come back into our flight again, is exciting, it's really good stuff," said Brantner.

These binoculars will be attached to the helmets and serve as night vision goggles. Everyone in the Air Rescue Medical Helicopter will wear them while traveling at night. The goggles will help the pilot and crew members see as clearly at night as they do during the day.

Air Rescue crew members say the new technology will reduce the risk of medical helicopter crashes like the one June 8 that killed four people on a PHI helicopter in the Sam Houston National Forest.

"Another minor change that we made was to install an led light right here," said Jon Clingaman.

The LED lights make it easier for other aircrafts to see the medical helicopter. Jon Clingaman says the 40 thousand dollar upgrade includes green tinted glass on the gauges and LED tinted lights to allow the crew members to see the patient without distracting the pilot.

This helicopter is not ready for night vision, the instrument panel needs to be painted a flat black and these gauges need to be tinted green.

In the near future, this maroon helicopter will be equipped with night vision.

"These aided devices will help us tremendously and be able to give us confidence and fly in situations we may not have flown in before," said Brantner.

A sense of confidence the crew says will allow them to safely get from one point to another.

The night vision training is scheduled to begin today. Once the pilots and crew are certified, they'll be ready to fly at night using the new technology.