Helicopter

Our iconic helicopters have been a familiar sight in the skies over Western Canada since 1985.

When minutes matter, a STARS helicopter can be ready and in the air approximately 10 minutes after the call is accepted by dispatch.

Each STARS helicopter mission consists of a minimum of four crew members, including two pilots, a paramedic, and a nurse. A transport physician oversees and supports all missions from the ground and is available to be on board if needed. Our transport physicians are required on roughly five per cent of our patient transports.

STARS currently operates a fleet of Airbus H145 helicopters with a custom medical interior, enabling the aircraft to serve as mobile intensive care units. Each of our bases have one helicopter that acts as a primary, in-service helicopter; available and ready to respond when a patient needs critical care and rapid transport to a major trauma centre.

When physicians determine that a helicopter is the best method of transport, STARS is there for patients across Western Canada. Our typical service area includes communities we can reach within approximately 1 hour 20 minutes of flying time from each of our six bases. Access to fuel supplies throughout Western Canada can extend our service area even further when required.

The STARS Helicopter Fleet – What’s in a Name?

Every helicopter in our fleet bears a Transport Canada registration mark (also referred to as a “call sign” or “tail number”), which is a unique string of characters that’s similar to a car’s license plate. Click here or on the image below to see a PDF with a description of each H145 helicopters registration mark story.