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 in North Carolina became the first in the U.S. to deploy a Pivotal BlackFly eVTOL for real-world emergency response, enabling a paramedic to reach scenes up to 20 minutes faster than an ambulance.
Paramedics underwent extensive training to operate the single-seat eVTOL, which features simplified flight controls, allowing them to provide immediate advanced life support.
The groundbreaking program required significant preparation, including hundreds of training flights and navigating complex logistical and regulatory approvals from local authorities and the FAA.
This pioneering initiative aims to improve response times in geographically challenging areas and serves as a "playbook" for future eVTOL integration into EMS, potentially expanding capabilities like blood delivery.
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.
