Reaching care from remote locations
Reservations and villages in remote areas often have limited access to hospitals. Fixed-wing aircraft can fly to small local airstrips, and in some Alaska emergencies even land on ice, to bring patients to suitable hospitals in larger cities.
- Alaska: many communities are reachable only by air.
- Arizona and New Mexico: large reservations far from specialty care.
- Texas and other states: long distances to tertiary hospitals.
What we arrange
- A medical aircraft operated by an FAA-certified Part 135 carrier, configured for ICU/CCU care
- A flight nurse and/or paramedic certified in flight physiology
- Ground transport at both ends where available
- Coordination with the sending clinic and the receiving hospital
Common questions
Where are these flights most common?
Alaska, where many communities are reachable only by air, as well as Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
What medical care is on board?
Flights can be configured for ICU/CCU-level care, staffed by a nurse and/or paramedic certified in flight physiology, with additional specialists when needed.
Are helicopters used for remote emergencies?
For emergencies within roughly 300 to 400 miles, helicopters are often best. For longer transfers to a specialized hospital, fixed-wing aircraft are used.
Last reviewed October 2026 by the Air Ambulance Central flight coordination team.