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New GPS Technology Increases Safety for Mercy Patients

Mercy

Mercy has taken another step toward making it safer for its medical helicopters to get help to patients in bad weather.

The health system now has its own private airspace GPS navigation system.  Mercy says engineers mapped out the entire region using GPS technology and created a series of routes for pilots to follow.  The pre-designated flight patterns can be navigated using only aircraft instruments.

DJ Satterfield, director of Mercy Life Line Air Medical Service, says before this upgrade, they could often land at small airports using GPS but they couldn’t always land directly at a hospital.  Patients would be taken the rest of the way by ambulance.  He says they can now land in more places in inclement weather.

Mercy already has helicopters equipped with weather radar, auto pilot, terrain awareness and GPS technology, which allows them to fly when there’s reduced visibility.

Work has begun on phase two of the latest project, which will add more locations to the network.

Michele Skalicky has worked at KSMU since the station occupied the old white house at National and Grand. She enjoys working on both the announcing side and in news and has been the recipient of statewide and national awards for news reporting. She likes to tell stories that make a difference. Michele enjoys outdoor activities, including hiking, camping and leisurely kayaking.