MUSKOKA, ON — February 19th, 2026 — iAERO has announced the launch of ATLAS (Aircraft Transfer Lift and Assistance System), a powered stretcher loader designed to modernize one of the most physically demanding tasks in air medical transport: Loading and unloading a patient safely, quickly, and consistently.
ATLAS delivers controlled, powered lifting and movement that reduces crew strain, supports smoother transfers, and improves turnaround time in high-tempo operations.
Developed from real operational pain points, ATLAS replaces heavy manual handling with repeatable powered motion—helping reduce injury risk, fatigue, and variability during critical patient transfers, especially in tight cabin access conditions and stairway loading scenarios.
“ATLAS began with people, not technology,” said Ryan Hader, president of iAERO. “We built it to reduce the load on crews and make patient loading safer, faster, and more consistent in the environments where every second matters.”
ATLAS is designed to be adaptable to virtually any air ambulance aircraft, supporting operators with mixed fleets and evolving mission requirements.
The system can be configured across a wide range of platforms, including Pilatus PC-12, Beechcraft King Air, Beechcraft 1900D, Cessna Citation aircraft, including rotary-wing platforms such as the Leonardo AW139, while also scaling to large-cabin, long-range aircraft where stairway loading and higher door sills can make manual patient loading impractical.
ATLAS is fully battery-powered and operates independently of aircraft or ground power. It uses readily available, off-the-shelf battery packs for simple replacement and broad availability, supporting reliable performance in remote locations and time-critical missions.
With its intuitive controls and ergonomic design, ATLAS allows crews to focus on patient care rather than manual lifting. The system’s compact footprint ensures it can be stored onboard without interfering with other mission equipment.
By combining powered assistance with operational flexibility, ATLAS sets a new standard for air medical patient handling and crew wellbeing.
About iAERO
iAERO is an engineering, manufacturing, and certification company that delivers mission-ready aircraft modifications and integrated systems for fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and UAS platforms. As a Transport Canada DAO, iAERO provides complete design, testing, and certification services and supports operators in medevac, law enforcement, military, ISR, firefighting, and research roles. With proven engineering capability and in-house production, iAERO delivers reliable and compliant solutions built for critical aviation missions.
