The triple-digit temperatures could start affecting operations at DFW air ambulance provider CareFlite.
CareFlite’s two Agusta A109 helicopters, one based at Dallas Methodist Medical Center and the other at Frisco Fire Station #4, would stop flying if the temperature hits 108 degrees.
“We do have the two aircraft that are performance-limited at 108 [degrees],” said CareFlite pilot Doug Buie, the director of aviation training at CareFlite. "Once the temperature reaches 108, of course we have to go err on the side of caution and safety. We’ll shut those two down for the duration of the two or three hours that the temperature remains that high."
At 105 degrees, pilots flying the two aircraft must reduce the weight on board to safely fly in the hotter and thinner air.
“Let’s say, for example, we were to lose an engine,” said Buie. “We want to make sure that the aircraft is capable of flying away, or being able to climb away from a situation.”
Pilots might put less fuel on board for their next mission and CareFlite could make changes to the crew of the air ambulances.
“Each person may weigh a little differently,” said Buie.
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CareFlite has a total of eight helicopters, and the others can still fly safely in temperatures up to 125.
The remaining six would take over any missions for the two helicopters that would be grounded above 108 degrees.
“We have air conditioned aircraft that blows nice cool air for the patients and the crew on board, and we can get there still just as fast as we could any other day,” said Buie.
This should be the last summer the two Agusta A109 helicopters fly at all for CareFlite, which expects to replace them early next year.
