Hyde County Emergency Medical Services in North Carolina deployed this unique Pivotal BlackFly aircraft to respond to real 911 calls. [Credit: Pivotal]
Key Takeaways:
Hyde County EMS successfully deployed a Pivotal BlackFly eVTOL aircraft, enabling a paramedic to reach emergency scenes up to 20 minutes faster than an ambulance, marking the nation's first real-world eVTOL use for initial EMS response.
This pioneering program allows paramedics to provide immediate advanced life support in geographically challenging areas, though it required extensive pilot training, new operational protocols, and significant negotiation with FAA officials.
Despite being a limited proof-of-concept, this initiative establishes a "playbook" for future eVTOL integration in emergency services, with potential for broader applications like rapid blood delivery and improved response times nationwide.
Quinn Reece, a paramedic with Hyde County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in North Carolina, is not your average first responder.
Recently, Reece responded to a 911 call about 20 minutes faster than an ambulance. The seemingly impossible feat was enabled by a unique aircraft that lifts off vertically like a helicopter but tilts forward to fly on fixed wings.
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Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.
