posted May 20, 2025

AirLIFE TEXAS is flying higher with a PC-12 fixed wing airplane 

NEW BRAUNFELS, TX – May 20, 2025 – Patients needing air medical transport throughout the Lone Star State will now have access to enhanced air medical transport thanks to an upgraded fixed wing plane with a new name on its side. Earlier this month, New Braunfels-based AirLift Texas joined its sister bases in Uvalde and Snyder under the new AirLIFE TEXAS name, and they are proud to display the new name on their recently acquired PC-12 aircraft. 

“The PC-12 is highly regarded as an exceptionally reliable and versatile aircraft,” said AirLIFE TEXAS Flight Paramedic Rolando Longoria. “This new aircraft has a larger cargo door and a more spacious interior which makes it easier to load specialty equipment like intra-aortic balloon pumps and Impella devices and helps us better accommodate specialty teams such as NICU/PICU and ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) device teams in order to provide critical care to severely ill and injured patients. It is the perfect aircraft for our mission.” 

Along with the improved clinical capacity, this aircraft will also have a higher in-service rate due to the availability of both pilots and parts. AirLIFE TEXAS is part of Air Methods, the leading air medical provider in the nation, which is transitioning much of its nation-wide fixed wing fleet to the PC-12 to allow pilots to serve various bases as needed and to have a higher volume of aircraft parts on hand for rapid repairs. 

“This aircraft is crucial for transporting patients across the state for specialty care and will allow us to serve even more people with a wider range of medical needs,” said Air Methods Account Executive Amber Buchanan. “We are proud to provide an ecosystem of care across the state to serve local communities, as well as patients across Texas and beyond.”  

Equipped as a flying ICU, the AirLIFE TEXAS fixed-wing team provides lifesaving care for neonatal, pediatric, high-risk obstetric, and adult patients with cardiac, stroke, trauma, and other critical care needs. They recently added a Zoll AutoPulse CPR device to their list of industry leading medical equipment, allowing for in-flight mechanical CPR. They also carry whole blood that can be administered in-flight for patients suffering from severe blood loss and at risk of hemorrhagic shock. 

“This fixed wing aircraft is used to transport patients around the state when they need to travel farther distances for specialized care, or when weather conditions limit the availability of rotor wing helicopters,” said Air Methods Area Manager Joel Ramirez. “Additionally, it can often carry parents accompanying children in need of transport. It is also an excellent aircraft for accessing patients in rural areas where runways may be shorter. It is a very versatile and reliable asset.” 

All AirLIFE TEXAS bases are part of Air Methods and recently united under one name to strengthen their statewide presence and reinforce their commitment to delivering consistent, high-quality care wherever patients are located. 

 Air Methods is dedicated to serving the communities across Texas and beyond. The company is in-network with most health insurance providers, and the Air Methods patient advocacy program works with all patients, regardless of insurance status, to help ensure the affordability of air medical services. Patients do not need a membership to be transported by any air medical company.