HEMS operator CareFlite is working with the FAA’s Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) Program Office to help quantify WAAS benefits to HEMS operations.

CareFlite currently has 18 helipad GPS approaches and will begin integrating WAAS into these approach procedures, beginning with four regional trauma centers in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

As part of the three-year project, CareFlite is working with the FAA to develop a low-altitude route structure that maximizes the use of simultaneous non-interfering
procedures (SNI). The organization will collect data that compares the delta between GPS alone and GPS/WAAS with an eye to quantifying the benefits WAAS is expected to provide. As part of the project, CareFlite is obtaining a WAAS STC for the Agusta A109E.