Page 13 - August 2015 Volume 9, Number 8

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needed. By adding the Garmin 1000 avionics, it allows the team to fly in most weather conditions across New Zealand and into the South Pacific. This is vital in ensuring we can reach children in need.”
Skyline also took advantage of having a new paint scheme added to the King Air to coordinate with the décor at the hospital and more geared to children. “The high- tech equipment on board the air ambulance is a mobile intensive care unit with full life-support capabilities. However, we shouldn’t underestimate the value of having a more child-friendly aircraft on the outside either, as this can help reduce anxiety for the patient and their family at a very stressful time,” said John Beca, clinical director of Starship’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
This paint scheme and the purpose of the aircraft turned personal for the Elliott Aviation team who worked on Starship’s air ambulance King Air, many of them having children of their own. They decided to take a collection to donate to the Starship Foundation and raised $1,400, which was presented at the time of delivery. KA
To support Starship’s National Air Ambulance, visit www.starship.org. nz/airambulance.
The Starship Children’s Hospital was started almost 25 years ago to fill a need for a specialist children’s hospital that would provide world-class care
to the children of New Zealand.
12 • KING AIR MAGAZINE
SEPTEMBER 2015