Cites Cabin Space, Avionics, Reduced Costs

AgustaWestland has announced a contract to sell 15 AW119Ke helicopters to Life Flight Network for use in meeting future needs for air medical transport. The contract was signed Sunday at Heli-Expo in Dallas, TX. Aircraft deliveries will start in late 2012 and continue through to 2014 operating from bases in Oregon, Washington and Idaho.

AgustaWestland CEO Bruno Spagnolini remarked, "Life Flight Network is recognized as one of the best EMS organizations in the United States, so it gives us great pleasure that they have selected the AW199Ke to meet their future requirements. We are sure the AW119Ke will exceed their expectations and deliver an enhanced capability which will allow Life Flight Network to deliver even greater levels of patient care."

Michael Griffiths, CEO of Life Flight Network, commented, "AgustaWestland is working in partnership with us to ensure we will be able to maintain the consistent level of excellence our EMS and hospital partners expect and our patients deserve. Our new AW119Ke helicopters will provide us with valuable benefits like a state-of-the-art avionics package, a spacious patient cabin capable of transporting two patients with full body access and reduced operating costs."

The AW119Ke targets the top end of the single-engine helicopter market and boasts excellent performance even in high and hot operating environments. Gross weight is 2,850 kg (6,900 lb.) with power provided by a Pratt & Whitney PT6B-37A engine rated at 1,002 shaft horsepower for takeoff. Top speed is quoted as 152 knots.

Over 200 AW119-series helicopters have been ordered so far by almost 100 customers in 30 countries.

FMI: www.agustawestland.com ; www.lifeflight.org