Helicopter Marketing Associates Signs For Three EC135s, Indiana University Health Places Order For EC145

The order book for American Eurocopter is getting a workout at the Air Medical Transport Conference in St. Louis. On Monday, the company announced orders for three EC135s by Helicopter Marketing Associates (HMA) for placement in the air medical industry, as well as one EC145 which will go to Indiana University Health LifeLine.

EC135 File Photo

“HMA’s choice of the EC135 reflects the tremendous demand for this platform throughout the world, particularly in the air medical market,” said Treg Manning, American Eurocopter’s Vice President of Sales. “Across the United States the EC135 has become the standard in the air medical market with more than 170 in service with air medical operators and programs.”

“The EC135 was the helicopter that fit the needs of our customer,” said Fred Wagner, HMA’s President. “They were looking for a twin-engine aircraft with a proven history of success in the air medical industry and, with the EC135’s success in the United States and the world, the EC135 was the clear choice.”
The EC135 is a versatile helicopter that is a natural fit for emergency medical airlift missions. It features a greater useful load compared to its larger, less fuel-efficient competitors, and it has best-in-class acquisition and direct operating costs. The EC135’s Fenestron-shrouded tail rotor adds an additional safety benefit and contributes to one of the quietest noise signatures in its class. The aircraft’s easily-accessible rear clamshell doors facilitate the loading and unloading of patients and complete the package that has raised the bar for air medical helicopters.

IU Health EC145 On Indy 500 Race Day

The EC145 is the fifth of the model to be ordered by Indiana University Health LifeLine, adding to the fleet of four that were purchased in late 2008. The first four went into service throughout 2010 and the fifth is expected to go into service this week.

“We have been extremely pleased with the EC145 and it has become our premier aircraft,” said Steve Johnson, director of LifeLine Critical Care Transport, IU Health. “Our program does a large number of specialty team transports ranging from neonates to adult trauma, often requiring special equipment and extra crew members. The EC145 offers a large cabin and the reliability and versatility we need to execute a variety of specialty missions every day.”

IU Health is in the process of transitioning from a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) program to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) program and the EC145 is the foundation to that transition. “The EC145 provides us with a safe and stable platform as we move from VFR to IFR,” said Johnson.

FMI: FMI: www.eurocopterusa.com