Eurocopter sales look up in September 2009

Eurocopter, the world’s biggest helicopter-maker and a subsidiary of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), is doing well in sales in September 2009.

Eurocopter EC135 photo

On September 17, 2009, Poland’s Ministry of Health took delivery of the first one of a total of 23 EC135 helicopters it had ordered from Eurocopter in June 2008.

The new EC135 helicopters will replace the existing fleet of Mi-2 helicopters and thus will “bring Poland up to date with the latest European standards,” a statement from Poland’s Ministry of Health said.

Poland will assign the new fleet of EC135 helicopters – which will be based in Warsaw – to the nationwide emergency medical services (EMS) network. The addition of the Eurocopter fleet is intended to modernise Poland’s helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS).

The fleet of Poland’s EC135 helicopters has been planned to enter into service in January 2010. The statement from Poland’s Ministry of Health said that 5 more EC135 helicopters have been scheduled for delivery in 2009, and the remaining 17 helicopters will be delivered in 2010. The fleet, to be spread around all 17 bases nationwide, will be flown by the Lotnicze Pogotowie Ratunkowe (LPR), based in Warsaw.

Technical support for Poland’s EC135 helicopters will be provided by Heli Invest, based in Warsaw. (Heli Invest is Eurocopter’s Distributor and Certified Maintenance Centre.)

American Eurocopter, an affiliate of Eurocopter, has delivered an EC145 helicopter to the Flight For Life programme of Trinity Mother Frances Hospital, based in Tyler, Texas, the United States.

Larry Roberts, American Eurocopter’s vice-president (sales, marketing and customer support) said in a press release that the EC145 helicopter – configured for the Trinity Mother Frances Hospital’s emergency medical services (EMS) mission – is to replace the organisation’s BK-117 helicopter.

Eurocopter EC145 photo

According to Larry Roberts, the EC145 helicopter offers the largest cabin size in its class as well as provides configuration options and maximum flexibility. The EC145 has become a platform of choice for many missions, mainly EMS, thanks to its large cabin, extra payload capacity, high-set main rotors and tail rotors, rear-loading clamshell doors, additional safety features, and unrivaled visibility.

The EC145 helicopter, powered by 2 Turbomeca ARRIEL engines, has a fast cruise speed of 133 knots. The EC145 comes in single-pilot IFR and dual-pilot IFR configurations. Both versions are equipped with the modern MEGHAS glass cockpit and digital autopilot.

Carolinas HealthCare System, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, the United States, is planning to upgrade its fleet of air ambulances with 3 new Eurocopter EC135 helicopters.  The organisation, which is spread in North Carolina and South Carolina, owns, leases, or manages 25 hospitals.

LifeFlight Eagle, based in Kansas City, the United States, has taken delivery of American Eurocopter’s new EC145 helicopter. The EC145 is to be exclusively meant for the Kansas City-based Children’s Mercy Hospital’s Critical Care Transport programme for the care and transportation of pediatric and neonatal patients in the region.

The new EC145 helicopter is scheduled to enter the service of Children’s Mercy Hospital’s Critical Care Transport programme in a few days.