Hyde County Emergency Medical Services in North Carolina deployed this unique Pivotal BlackFly aircraft to respond to real 911 calls. [Credit: Pivotal]
Key Takeaways:
Hyde County EMS has become the first in the nation to successfully deploy a Pivotal BlackFly eVTOL aircraft for real-world 911 responses, enabling paramedics to reach emergency scenes significantly faster than traditional ambulances and initiate advanced life support.
This pioneering program leverages the single-seat eVTOL's speed and vertical takeoff capabilities to overcome geographical challenges in rural areas, serving as a rapid first-response tool to stabilize patients while awaiting full ambulance transport.
The implementation required extensive paramedic flight training, navigating complex FAA regulations for public aircraft operations, and gaining local stakeholder approval, with plans to expand the model and certify eVTOLs for additional medical capabilities.
Quinn Reece, a paramedic with Hyde County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in North Carolina, is not your average first responder.
Recently, Reece responded to a 911 call about 20 minutes faster than an ambulance. The seemingly impossible feat was enabled by a unique aircraft that lifts off vertically like a helicopter but tilts forward to fly on fixed wings.
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Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.
