Placed An Order For Seven Of The Enhanced Helicopters
American Eurocopter announced Monday that Air Medical Resource
Group has signed an agreement to purchase seven AS350 B3e
helicopters, making it the U.S. launch customer for this enhanced
rotary-wing aircraft. These helicopters will be a core part of an
initiative to consolidate Air Medical Resource Group's business
lines and to expand market coverage. The agreement consists of
three firm orders, with options for four more in 2011.
(L-R) Marc Panganini, Joseph Hunt
"Air Medical Resource Group is a new American Eurocopter
customer, and the enhanced AS350 B3e will certainly help them
expand their business," said Marc Paganini, President and CEO of
American Eurocopter. "For this growing company, the AS350 is a
great choice, as the helicopter is already known for its power,
performance, and reliability. The AS350 B3e's enhancements will
provide Air Medical Resource Group with even more
capabilities."
"As part of our business growth strategy, we needed to find
powerful and reliable helicopters. We held a very intense
evaluation process with input from all disciplines from the air
medical field," said Joseph Hunt, CEO of Air Medical Resource
Group. "We chose an American Eurocopter product because we
recognize the importance of working with a forward thinking,
progressive company. American Eurocopter is not only working on
fulfilling our present-day needs, they are focused on fulfilling
our needs of the future. This is evidenced by their consistent
deployment of prototype aircraft. American Eurocopter is our choice
and specifically the AS350 B3e for its advanced characteristics and
latest enhancements."
Air Medical Resource Group is the parent company of Eagle Air
Med Corporation, Hawaii Life Flight Corporation and Guardian
Flight, Inc. These companies specialize in fixed wing air medical
transportation services throughout the states of Utah, Arizona,
Colorado, New Mexico, Alaska and Hawaii. The company operates under
its own Part 135 Certificate with headquarters in South Jordan,
Utah.
The AS350 B3e is the updated version of the best-selling AStar
family that was introduced during Heli-Expo. It has a more powerful
Turbomeca Arriel 2D turboshaft engine, along with a new-generation
digital FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) and an engine
data recorder for condition monitoring.
As an additional option, the aircraft can be operated at its
maximum takeoff engine power rating for 30 minutes. This offers the
opportunity to equip the AS350 B3e with engine filters for a
protection during flight in sand and snow conditions without weight
penalty. It incorporates tail rotor modifications for additional
ease of piloting, and also features an improved interior design.
Certification of the AS350 B3e is planned this summer, with
deliveries to begin before year-end.