Another medical crew was being assembled in Crescent City. He ended up piloting three flights that day. Cal-Ore patients include those suffering from heart attacks, car accident injuries and experiencing complicated births. Not all patients are in critical condition, Walker said. Many are flown to hospitals in Portland, Medford and Eureka for specialized medical care not available at Del Norte County.
Some patients arrive in handcuffs and are well guarded.
Cal-Ore has a contract with Pelican Bay State Prison, Walker said. He recently had to fly an inmate from Crescent city to San Francisco after the man was shot during a riot at the prison. Last year, Cal-Ore pilots flew a total of 222 flights, Walker said. The company selects pilots who exceed basic qualifications and have logged 6,000 to 10,000 hours of flight time, he said. When it s dark and nasty out there during winter storms, you want a pilot who is experienced enough to make the right decisions, Walker said.