STAT Air's New Plane Takes to the Sky

With her maiden voyage on Aug. 24, from Malta to Great Falls, the newest addition to Northeast Montana STAT Air Co-Op's fleet takes off to the delight of her pilots and flight crew. The Pilatus PC-12 was purchased in early June of this year, and went into service with three flights the first day.

The PC-12 replaced the Co-Op's old Cessna-421. Russ Dahl, pilot, said, "The old airplane was approaching a point where it would need two new motors put in. We felt it would be more cost effective to purchase another PC-12." He explained how pleased they have been with their first Pilatus, and expounded on the benefits of the single-engine jet.

The PC-12 has a larger cabin which means more room for patients and the flight crew. It can carry more weight than the old twin-engine, which means family members can at times be accommodated. With its fuel load, the jet is a faster plane and has better range, which is critical when transporting emergency patients.

Dahl briefly explained the process from purchase to use: "[We] purchased the plane in early June, went through a pre-buy, immediately into annual (FAA required testing) and then it went to Fargo, N.D., redoing the inside to the medical interior, which was the longest part of the process."

Seeing the Pilatus as an obvious upgrade in service for the community, STAT Air is taking great pride in the quality of their aircraft. Pilot Steve Stanley said, "It's the nicest, well laid-out air ambulance interior I have seen." Dahl jokingly relayed an anecdote about getting on some of the nurses for dragging mud into the cabin, noting that patient care and comfort is an utmost priority of all members of the Co-Op.

Northeast Montana STAT Air Co-Op serves Glasgow, Malta, Wolf Point, Poplar and the surrounding communities.