New Yale New Haven ‘SkyHealth’ helicopter will be based in Stratford

STRATFORD — Yale New Haven Health added a second SkyHealth helicopter, which officials say include new emergency critical care features and will better serve southern New England.

Officials made the announcement at Three Wing Aviation in Stratford Thursday, where the helicopter and operations center is based. The other SkyHealth helicopter is based at Long Island MacArthur Airport on Long Island.

The helicopters are designed for helicopter EMS use and have full intensive care capabilities while en route. They also offer monitoring, multiple channel IV pumps, fetal heart monitoring, intra-aortic balloon pump and advanced airway and ventilation management, according to a statement. The helicopters include satellite tracking to monitor aircraft position, air traffic and weather. The crew is also equipped with night-vision goggles for flying in the dark.

Each helicopter is staffed with medical professionals, including a critical care flight nurse and a critical care flight paramedic, who provide care while en route to the hospital.

SkyHealth travels within a 200-mile radius of New Haven.

Though flight times vary, the helicopter can cover 25 miles in about 10 minutes. On average, it takes five to seven minutes from the time a call is accepted to lift off.

Medical staff and helicopter crew cut a ribbon during an unveiling ceremony for the second SkyHealth helicopter in the Three Wing Aviation hangar at Sikorsky Memorial Airport, in Stratford, Feb. 9.

Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Lola Whalen, a Registered Nurse from the SkyHealth helicopter crew, talks with 2-year-old Madilyn York during a tour inside the new helicopter in Stratford, Feb. 9.