Use of Medical Helicopters

I read with great interest The Times’ story debating the use of medical helicopters in the transportation of the critically ill or injured (Metro, April 25). While too many patients are transported by medical helicopters, these airborne emergency rooms are vitally important--helicopters save lives. Another way to save lives would be for the Federal Aviation Administration to make the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and Southern California Edison mark their inch-thick steel power cables strung across canyon passes with fluorescent balls. I flew to the site of the April 17 medical helicopter crash at the summit of Cajon Pass. The fog had obscured the mountains and the visibility was poor in light rain and drizzle. I knew where the wires were but I couldn’t see them. I flew from one wire tower to the other, all the while never seeing a wire. I kept thinking to myself something a helicopter pilot told me at a meeting last year: “For Southern California Edison to mark their wires would be to admit the liability.”

If the power companies are worried about lawsuits, not lives, let’s make sure the FAA does what’s necessary. In Southern California there are another 11 mountain passes that are used everyday. In every case wires pose a serious threat to not only medical helicopters, but to the police, fire department, press, and other general aviation helicopter users.

BOB TUR

Pilot/Reporter

KNX Newsradio