Learning from the Best: Comparative Insights in the Development of SkyGuardian I

AI generated image of an Air Ambulance

Our team, consisting of Anugreh Newton, Rutuja Kharat, Judah Benjamin Raj, and myself, recently embarked on an exciting project to develop a conceptual air ambulance, named SkyGuardian I. The name encapsulates the essence of this aircraft’s role as a life-saving medical transport, underscoring its mission to serve as a vital air ambulance.

Given that this is our first comprehensive venture into aircraft design, we began by conducting an extensive literature review on air ambulances used worldwide. Our research revealed that many air ambulances are based on business jets modified for medical transport purposes. Armed with this insight, we decided to focus our efforts on designing a conceptual aircraft aligned with this trend.

To refine our approach, we performed a comparative aircraft analysis on five prominent business jets currently employed as air ambulances:

• Dornier Jet 328-300 air ambulance

• Gulfstream G150 medical jet

• Piper PA-42-720 Cheyenne air ambulance

• Bombardier Learjet 55 air ambulance

• Hawker Beechcraft 750 air ambulance

In our analysis, we examined crucial aerodynamic parameters such as design and performance, lift and drag, and stability and control to identify patterns and trends in existing medical aircraft design. This allowed us to determine optimized values for the SkyGuardian I air ambulance we are developing. Additionally, we delved into the structural analysis of each aircraft, focusing on the airframe and cabin configuration to ensure efficiency and adaptability for medical use. We also conducted a detailed evaluation of the powerplants used by these jets, assessing the thrust produced and overall efficiency.

Recognizing the importance of medical equipment in air ambulances, we categorized the necessary devices into three levels of priority: highly necessary, moderately necessary, and least necessary. This categorization ensures that portable medical equipment is optimized for air ambulance life-saving technology.

This comprehensive study gave us a well-rounded understanding of air ambulance aerodynamics and airframe structure. It also provided us with a clearer direction to achieve our goal of developing the next-generation business jet air ambulance, the SkyGuardian I, poised to innovate the future of air ambulance technology.