Crysten Davis, left, and Dixie Smith got an up-close-and-peronal look in the seat of the pilot and co-pilot of an ETMC air (Banner Staff Photo by Don Treul) ambulance. The Bullard High School Health Club sponsored the visit of the helicopter and its team. It’s not every day that a helicopter lands on high school property.

An ETMC air ambulance did indeed land on a lot behind the high school, but there was no emergency. The visit was planned by Amy McKeethan and the Bullard High School Health Science Club.

Wayne Skelton, of Phi Air Medical in Corsicana, organized the flight and visit of an 1997 EC135 Eurocopter.

“It’s good for these kids.” Skelton said of the visit Wednesday, Sept. 30.

He also said students were able to see first-hand what it is like to be part of an air ambulance team that responds to emergencies. The visit included Charlie Meyer, the ETMC flight paramedic; Shana Brown, the ETMC flight nurse; Joe Stacey, ETMC the pilot; and Dewayne Martin, a flight nurse for Phi Air Medical.

Bullard Volunteer Fire Department and Bullard Police Department personnel, as well as Sarah Harris, Bullard High School nurse, were at the scene for support and to field questions from the students.

Students were allowed to sit in the helicopter, and they examined the equipment. Some even sat in the pilot and co-pilot chairs.

Skelton said there are many more “birds” or helicopters to service the greater Tyler area than there were 10 years ago. The cost of a run for an emergency may be between $10,000 to $15,000, according to Skelton.

“It depends on the fuel and how far you transport someone,” he said.

Typically, Skelton said, an emergency helicopter flight pattern will be between 1,500 to 2,000 feet and will enough fuel for a flight of about two hours. He also said helicopters will not usually fly if the wind is greater than 45 knots or if the ceiling is less than 1,000 feet or if visibility is less than three miles.

Students also watched a video and Skelton and Martin hosted a question-andanswer session. About 25 students attended. McKeethan said the club meets at 7:40 a.m. at her classroom each second and fourth Friday of the month.