Deal Follows High-Altitude Fly-Off

REACH Air Medical Services, a subsidiary of Air Medical  Group Holdings, has placed an order for five new Airbus H125s, marking the first time the company  has turned to an Airbus Helicopters aircraft for its single-engine platform solution.

The company selected the H125 after requesting a high-altitude demonstration and “fly-off” of the  Airbus H125 and H130 models, and the Bell 407 in Colorado in summer 2016. Both the H125 and  H130 exceeded flight envelope expectations, with the H125 emerging as the best performer followed  closely by the H130.

Two H125s are scheduled for delivery to REACH in June, with the other three to be delivered in the  third quarter. The new aircraft will primarily serve mountain communities in the western United States.  Airbus Helicopters Inc. will install the air medical equipment packages.  Vicky Spediacci, Vice President of Aviation Operations for REACH, said the company chose the H125  for its high-reliability rates and high-altitude performance capabilities. Although this is the company’s  first time to place an order for the H125, it has long operated the twin-engine Airbus H135.

“The fly-off proved our intuition was correct. The H125 outperformed all of the similar aircraft in hot and  high conditions, and it was a clear choice,” Spediacci said. “We look forward to our continued  partnership with Airbus Helicopters.”

“It is deeply gratifying that an outstanding air medical transport service like REACH has ordered the  H125 that we build here in the United States,” said Chris Emerson, President of Airbus Helicopters  Inc. “This is an endorsement of not only the H125 but the entire Airbus team that produces and  supports this fine, industry-leading helicopter.”

(Source: Airbus Helicopters news release. Image from file)

FMI: www.airbushelicopters.com