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Mission
The C-9 is a twin-engine, T-tailed, medium-range, swept-wing jet aircraft
used primarily for Air Mobility Command's aeromedical evacuation mission.
Features
The Nightingale is a modified version of the McDonnell Douglas Aircraft
Corporation's DC-9. It is the only aircraft in the inventory specifically
designed for the movement of litter and ambulatory patients.
The C-9A's airlift capability to carry 40 litter patients, 40 ambulatory
and four litter patients, or various combinations thereof, provides the
flexibility for Air Mobility Command's worldwide aeromedical evacuation
role.
A hydraulically operated folding ramp allows efficient loading and unloading
of litter patients and special medical equipment.
The plane has:
- Ceiling
receptacles for securing intravenous bottles.
- A special
care area with a separate ventilation system for patients requiring
isolation or intensive care.
- Eleven vacuum
and therapeutic oxygen outlets, positioned in sidewall service panels
at litter tier locations.
- A 28 VDC
outlet in the special care area.
- Twenty-two
115 VAC-60 hertz electrical outlets located throughout the cabin permit
the use of cardiac monitors, respirators, incubators
and infusion pumps at any location within the cabin.
- A medical
refrigerator for preserving whole blood and biological drugs.
- A medical
supply work area with sink, medicine storage section and work table,
fore-and-aft galleys and lavatories.
- Aft-facing
commercial airline-type seats for ambulatory patients.
- A station
for a medical crew director that includes a desk communication panel
and a control panel to monitor cabin temperature, therapeutic
oxygen and vacuum system.
- An auxiliary power unit that provides electrical power for uninterrupted
cabin air conditioning, quick servicing during stops, and self-starting
for the twin-jet engines.
 Background
The 375th Airlift Wing at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., operates C-9A
Nightingales for Air Mobility Command. C-9A's are assigned to the 374th
Airlift Wing at Yokota Air Base, Japan, for use in the Pacific theater.
C-9s also are assigned to the 435th Airlift Wing at Rhein-Main Air Base,
Germany, for use in the European and Middle East theaterS.
The C-9A Nightingale demonstrates its uniqueness and versatility daily
by its ability to serve not only military, but Department of Veterans
Affairs and civilian hospitals throughout the world, using military and
commercial airfields.
General Characteristics
Primary Function: Aeromedical evacuation
Contractor: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
Power Plant: Two
Pratt & Whitney JT8D-9A turbofan engines
Thrust: 14,500 pounds (6,525 kilograms) each engine
Length: 119 feet, 3 inches (35.7 meters)
Wingspan: 93 feet, 3 inches (27.9 meters)
Height: 27 feet, 5 inches (8.2 meters)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 108,000 pounds (48,600 kilograms)
Range: More than 2,000 miles (1,739 nautical miles)
Ceiling: 35,000 feet (10,606 meters)
Speed: 565 mph (Mach 0.86) at 25,000 feet (7583.3 meters), with
maximum takeoff weight
Load: 40 litter patients or four litters and 40 ambulatory patients
or other combinations
Crew: Eight (pilot, co-pilot, flight mechanic, two flight nurses
and three aeromedical technicians)
Date Deployed: August 1968
Unit Cost: $17 million
Inventory: Active force, 10; ANG, 0; Reserve, 0
Point of Contact:
Air Mobility Command; Public Affairs Office; Scott AFB, IL 62225-5317;
DSN 576-5003 or (618) 256-5003.
Above Information Courtesy
of United States Air Force
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