Cincinnati Children’s helicopter medical transport is giving families across the region a faster path to pediatric specialists when every minute on the way to the hospital matters. Backed by an experienced neonatal and pediatric transport team and a growing network of regional partners, this new helicopter service is designed around the unique needs of infants, children, and adolescents rather than retrofitting an adult system.
A New Way To Reach One Of The Nation’s Leading Pediatric Centers
In February 2026, Cincinnati Children’s and Air Methods will begin operating a dedicated medical helicopter. | Photo: Cincinnati Children’s
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center is recognized internationally as a leader in pediatric medicine, research, and education. For years, its specialized transport team has coordinated critical transfers by ground ambulance and fixed wing aircraft. With the introduction of dedicated helicopter service, that expertise now reaches referring hospitals and communities even faster, especially in outlying areas where ground travel can significantly delay care.
The hospital’s Transport Team operates 24 hours a day to move critically ill newborns and injured children by ambulance or air. The helicopter integrates directly into this existing system, which means pediatric experts are involved from the first call through bedside hand off. For families, that translates into one coordinated response instead of fragmented care between facilities.
How Cincinnati Children’s Helicopter Medical Transport Works
A view from beneath the EC145 | Photo: Marcxosm
When a child needs a higher level of care, clinicians at a referring hospital place a single call to the pediatric transport dispatch center. Through the “One Call Does It All” dispatch line, the team confirms the child’s condition, recommends the safest mode of transport, and mobilizes the appropriate crew and vehicle, including the helicopter when speed and access are critical.
The helicopter operates as an airborne extension of the intensive care unit. On board, the crew can provide advanced therapies typically found only inside a specialty children’s hospital, such as pediatric ventilator management, continuous medication infusions, invasive monitoring, and specialized neonatal support. The objective is simple yet powerful: begin definitive care as early as possible instead of waiting until the child reaches the hospital doors.
The Technology Supporting Families in Emergencies
Open clamshell doors of an EC145 | Photo: Igor Bubin
The helicopter used in the Cincinnati Children’s helicopter medical transport program is provided through a partnership with Denver based Air Methods, as confirmed in the hospital’s official transport service announcement.
Air Methods supplies both the aircraft and the pilot, operating the Airbus Helicopters EC145, a highly regarded medical transport platform equipped with night vision capability, a cruising speed above 150 miles per hour, and a spacious cabin that supports critical care procedures during flight.
With a roundtrip range of approximately 300 miles from Cincinnati Children’s Burnet Campus, the aircraft offers efficient regional coverage across multiple states.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model | Airbus Helicopters EC145 |
| Cruising Speed | Over 150 mph |
| Night Vision Capability | Yes |
| Roundtrip Range | Approximately 300 miles from Burnet Campus |
| Cabin Capability | Spacious interior supporting critical care equipment and in flight mobility |
Strategic Alliances Increasing Transport Reach
To deliver faster access to care across a wide geographic area, Cincinnati Children’s leverages rotor wing transport through its partnership with University of Cincinnati Medical Center Air Care.
This collaboration connects one of the nation’s leading pediatric hospitals with a regional program that has spent decades flying critical care teams into communities throughout Greater Cincinnati and beyond.
Inviting Families To Help Name The New Helicopter
Cincinnati Children’s has also made the introduction of the new aircraft a community centered initiative. Through a public helicopter naming contest, the hospital is inviting families, patients, staff, and supporters to suggest names that reflect hope, bravery, and the spirit of pediatric care.
With each submission, the community becomes part of the story of this new service, helping to shape the identity of a helicopter that will play a crucial role in delivering specialized care to children when time and expertise matter most.