Other than meetings and photo shoots, an editor’s job is often spent behind a desk. So when you have the opportunity to go for a helicopter ride over the city on an otherwise mundane Wednesday morning, you take it.
Such was the case last Wednesday. Arkansas Children’s Hospital and its transport team were performing a private blessing ceremony for two new Angel One helicopters slated to be put into service later this month. The helis, one a brilliant blue and the other a fiery red, are replacing the two existing Angel One copters that were purchased in 2002. Collectively, these helicopters have transported 14,704 patients from locations around the state to ACH, and they’ve logged 3.5 million miles.
Since becoming a mother last November, I’ve turned into an emotional minefield. I cry about everything. So I must admit that when I heard these staggering numbers, I got chill bumps and had to choke back a few tears.
Just think about it. More than 14,000 patients since 2002! Think of how many lives were saved because ACH had these helicopters. And think of how many more lives will be saved in the years to come now that they have two brand new helicopters equipped with more life-saving bells and whistles than you can imagine. Again, tears.
Needless to say, I was excited about seeing these choppers up close and personal. And they didn’t disappoint. I was told that among many amenities of the new choppers, the Sikorsky S-76 Ds have a digital cockpit, energy absorbing seats and fuel-efficient engines. Aesthetically, they are sleek and shiny with an ACH logo on the underside of each so they can be distinguished from the ground, according to ACH President & CEO Marcy Doderer. More importantly, the aircraft are fast–they can reach any point in the state in under an hour.
Parked side-by-side on War Memorial’s football field, I watched as ACH Pastoral Care Director Brent Fairchild said a blessing over the new aircraft and each Angel One team member (pilots, nurses, respiratory therapists, mechanics, communications specialists and more), and I bowed my head as we prayed for the safety of each mission. It was a moving experience, one that I will never forget.
Upstairs, in the press box, I cooled off (because it was no-joke blazing hot outside), ate a helicopter-shaped cookie and waited to be summoned for my ride.
I joined Director of Communications Dan McFadden, pilot Dr. Michele Moss, communications team member Ginny Hensley and aviation crew member Jerry Fryar aboard the red heli. After getting buckled in and going over the safety info, the engines started humming.
It was loud, but not deafening, and the spinning rotors stirred up a nice breeze. I felt a twinge of excitement as we began floating upward, and I watched as War Memorial Stadium got smaller and smaller until it looked like a toy version of itself. Jerry pointed out the window and behind us I saw the blue chopper.
The view was breathtaking. We flew along the Arkansas River, over downtown, past the Simmons Bank Tower and the Stephens Building, and along Cantrell toward west Little Rock. I watched ant-sized high school football players practicing on the Episcopal Collegiate School campus. We flew past Pinnacle Mountain, which was even more beautiful in an aerial view. On the way back, we flew over ACH and I saw the two current Angel One helicopters on their helipads.
In no time, we were closing in on War Memorial and flying over the stands. I was sad that it was over, but more than anything, full of pride. While I hope I never have to ride on Angel One in an emergency, I am proud that ACH has world-class helicopters available to transport our babies and children to the state’s best healthcare.
I’m also proud of Arkansans for their generous hearts. According to the ACH communications dept., the aircraft were purchased through the generosity of private donors to the ACH Foundation, and with the support of Walmart and Sam’s Club locations throughout Arkansas and supporters of the Will Golf for Kids and Color of Hope Gala.