America's EMS operators are increasingly demanding helicopters that are powerful, reliable, multi-mission capable, easy to maintain, and affordable to operate. As a result, they are increasingly buying Eurocopters.

"2004 was one of American Eurocopter's busiest and most exciting years in EMS sales," says Terri Ragsdale, American Eurocopter's Air Medical Marketing Specialist. "We received 28 bookings for the Eurocopter EC135 alone; ten of which came from CJ Systems Aviation Group, one of the country's largest Air Medical Services (AMS) fleet operators. We also received EMS bookings for four of our brand new EC145s: EMS operators are also buying our A-Star B2 and B3s!"

Why did CJ Systems Aviation Group, which already operates 76 Eurocopters, order 12 more (ten EC135s; two EC145s) in 2004? The EC135 is "relatively fast, relatively easy to maintain, and, from a pilot's standpoint, the EC135 is great to fly," replies Ed Marasco, senior vice president of the company's AMS division. Meanwhile, the larger EC145 "is able to meet those mission profiles which require more equipment, more patient capacity, and longer distances."

"EMS operators are buying Eurocopters because our aircraft combine performance and reliability with efficient AMS interiors," says Ragsdale. "Add in easy maintenance and low operating costs, and one can understand why the EC135 has become a familiar site in EMS colors, and why the A-Star B2, B3 and the new EC145 are being drafted into EMS duties all across the country."

Eurocopter's EMS Fleet

A-Star B2/B3 (AS350B2/B3):

• Max Weight: 2,250 kg/4,960 lb
• Capacity:one Pilot + 5/6 Passengers
• Power Plant: B2 - 732 shp Turbomeca ARRIEL 2B/B3 - 847 shp Turbomeca ARRIEL 2B
• Fast Cruise Speed: 258km/h-140kts

EC135

• Max Weight: 2,835 kg/6,250 lb
• Capacity: one Pilot + 6/7 Passengers or two Pilots + 5/6 Passengers
• Power Plant: two Turbomeca Arrius 2B2 or two Pratt&Whitney Pw206B2
• Fast Cruise Speed: 256 km/h-138 kts

EC145

• Max Weight: 3,585 kg/7,903 lb
• Capacity: one Pilot + 9 Passengers
• Power Plant: two Turbomeca ARRIEL 1E2
• Fast Cruise Speed: 245km/h-132kts

FMI: www.eurocopterusa.com