SITE NAVIGATION

Technical Data

UNOFFICIAL NAMES/SLANG:	N/A
FUNCTION:	C-9A: AEROMEDICAL TRANSPORT; C-9C: DISTINGUISHED VISITOR TRANSPORT
DATE DEPLOYED:	AUG. 1968
PRIME CONTRACTOR:	BOEING
UNIT COST:	C-9A: $15,900,000; C-9C: $21,000,000
LENGTH:	119' - 3" (36.4M)
WINGSPAN:	93' - 3" (28.4M)
HEIGHT:	27' - 5" (8.4M)
SPEED:	525 MPH (MACH 0.79)
WEIGHT (MAX. TAKE-OFF):	C-9A: 108,000 LBS (48,988 KG); C-9C: 110,000 LBS (49,886 KG)
LOAD:	C-9A: UP TO 40 LITTERS; C-9C: 12 PASSENGERS
MAX. NORMAL ALTITUDE:	37,000 FT (11,277M)
RANGE:	2,500 MI
ENGINES:	2 @ 14,500 LBS MAX. THRUST EA.
CREW:	8

CARGO PLANES

C-2 Greyhound

C-5 Galaxy

C-9 Nightingale

C-12 Huron

C-17 Globemaster III

C-20 Gulfstream III/IV

C-21 Learjet

C-22 Boeing 727-100

C-32 Air Force Two

C-37 Gulfstream

C-40 Clipper

C-130 Hercules

VC-25 Air Force One

.............................................

C-9 NIGHTENGALE

Description:

The C-9A Nightingale is a twin-engine, T-tailed, medium-range, swept-wing jet aircraft used primarily for the Air Mobility Command's aeromedical evacuation mission. The C-9C is used to transport high-ranking government and Department of Defense officials for special air missions.

Features: The C-9A Nightingale is a modified version of the Boeing Company'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 or 40 ambulatory and four litter patients, or combinations of those, provides the flexibility for AMC's worldwide aeromedical evacuation role. In addition to speed, quiet and comfort for patients, the aircraft has many special features for the care of patients:

Hydraulically operated folding ramp which allows for efficient loading and unloading of litter patients and special medical equipment.
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 potential litter tier locations.
A 28 VDC outlet located 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 seats for ambulatory patients.
A medical crew director's station with desk, communication panel and a control panel to monitor cabin temperature, therapeutic oxygen and vacuum systems.
An auxiliary power unit that provides electrical power for uninterrupted cabin air conditioning, quick servicing during en route stops and self-starting for the twin engines.

Background: The 375th Airlift Wing at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., operates 10 C-9A Nightingales for AMC. The normal crew aboard the C-9A consists of a pilot, a co-pilot, two flight nurses, three aeromedical evacuation technicians and one flying crew chief. C-9A's are assigned to the 374th Airlift Wing at Yokota Air Base, Japan, for use in the Pacific theater. C-9s are also stationed in Europe at Ramstein AB, Germany.

The C-9A demonstrates its uniqueness and versatility every day by its ability to serve more than 660 military, Department of Veterans Affairs and civilian hospitals, using 650 military and commercial airfields throughout the world. Additionally, stateside, it flies 37 scheduled and approximately five urgent missions weekly. The C-9A is the only aircraft dedicated solely for aeromedical evacuation at locations around the world.

The 89th Airlift Wing at Andrews AFB, Md., operates the C-9C for the airlift of medium-sized delegations of government and DOD officials. The aircraft is used for worldwide operations and is often used to transport the vice president or the first lady.