China's First First-Aid Jet Comes Out

With a minimum charge of 100,000 yuan (or nearly $15, 000) for a single transport, China's first professional medical jet plane is ready to take off, the Beijing Daily reports Monday.

Rebuilt from a U.S.-made 80-seater Hawker Beechcraft 400A, the plane is based in north China's Tianjin Municipality, according to the report.

Five pilots have been recruited for the plane. Two captains are employed from overseas, and reportedly have flight experience with medical missions, the report says.

Because varying air pressures may affect the patient's blood pressure, the medical team engaged in the air transport has received special training.

One intensive care doctor and one nurse will be on board to take care of the patient. Under serious conditions, there will be two doctors and one nurse, according to the report.

When a serious medical emergency takes place, the hospital will apply for special air line approval from the Civil Aviation Administration of China. With the proper arrangements made in advance, the jet will land at a regular airport and a local emergency ambulance will take the patient to hospital.

The charges for the air transport mainly depend on the condition of patient and the distance.

(CRIENGLISH.com September 20, 2010)