P u r p o s e: Rapid transport of critically ill patients to advanced medical centers is important in improving the survival rate and prognosis. Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) is rapid and fairly accessible, but it is expensive, influenced by weather, and has complications at high altitude. This study was performed to build the basic data for helicopter transportation through an analysis of the patients transported by EMS helicopter in Gwangju and Jeonnam. M e t h o d s: The subjects of this study are patients transported by EMS helicopter from January 2002 to June 2004 in Gwangju and Jeonnam. The analysis focused on the clinical characteristics, including time and purpose of flight, and cause, severity and outcome of the diseases.