New England EMS operator MedStar Transport is to equip its EC 135 and BK 117 fleet with Sky Connect satellite terminals, to provide automated tracking and voice com-munications with the aircraft through the Iridium satellite network.

“MedStar will be able to view the location and status of its fleet anywhere and under virtually any conditions,” said Sky Connect senior vice president Wiley Loughran. “It has also purchased two indoor Sky Connect Iridium terminals, which may be linked to the hospital’s PBX or hotline to ensure communications in case of any emergency, such as a natural disaster, in which normal communications are disrupted.”

“The tracking and satcom solution will reduce the workload for our flight crews,” said MedStar medical director Dr. Christopher Wuerker, adding, “We believe the Iridium solution will both increase safety and simplify operations.”