American Eurocopter is pleased to announce that three new EC135s have entered service with the MedCenter Air Program at Carolinas Medical Center.  The aircraft, which were purchased in late 2009, were completed by Metro Aviation and include state-of-the-art cockpit technology as well as the latest medical equipment. In addition to accommodating one or two litters, the EC135s are equipped with a neo-natal sled, balloon pump and liquid oxygen.

“The EC135 allows us to put the patient first, both in terms of their medical needs during transport and the safe execution of the mission,” said Jason Schwebach, administrative director for MedCenter Air.

“The enhanced reliability of the EC135’s autopilot and its single pilot IFR capability were important considerations in our choice of aircraft,” continued Schwebach. “The aircraft are also equipped with the latest safety features including Night Vision Goggles, GPWS, color weather radar, satellite tracking, and redundant communication systems.”

The EC135 is the twin-engine platform of choice for air medical operators, accounting for 60 percent of all twin-engine air medical services deliveries over the past decade. The Fenestron® tail rotor and rear clamshell doors offer the safest and easiest loading possible, while the aircraft’s anti-resonance isolation system ensures that patients are given the smoothest possible ride. The EC135 offers excellent maneuverability for landing in confined areas and is environmentally friendly.

“The EC135 has an extremely low noise signature and the exhaust system produces less fumes than many other helicopters,” added Schwebach. “As an organization operating within the healthcare system, that was another feature that was important to us.”

MedCenter Air has three bases that serve parts of North and South Carolina. The helicopter fleet of four EC135s flies around 2,000 hours annually, both in on-the-scene missions and inter-facility transport. Its fleet also includes four fixed-wing aircraft and critical care ground ambulances. MedCenter Air is available to all medical facilities, EMS services, insurance companies, managed-care organizations and members of the public. The organization has won several air ambulance awards and has been CAMTS accredited since 1997.

About American Eurocopter
American Eurocopter is a helicopter manufacturer that produces, markets, sells and supports the broadest range of civil and para-public helicopters offered by any manufacturer in the United States. The company is a subsidiary of EADS North America Holdings, the North American operations of EADS, a global leader in aerospace, defense and related services, and is an affiliate of Eurocopter, the largest helicopter manufacturer in the world. American Eurocopter’s product line represents the most cost-effective, technologically-advanced helicopters, ranging from light single to heavy twin, serving all markets and missions. Company headquarters and main facilities are located in Grand Prairie, TX, with a large manufacturing and production facility in Columbus, MS, that produces the UH-72A for the U.S. Army’s Light Utility Helicopter program.

About Carolinas HealthCare System
Carolinas HealthCare System includes 32 affiliated hospitals in North and South Carolina. As one of the leading healthcare systems in the Southeast, Carolinas HealthCare employs some 1,400 physicians and serves patients at more than 500 care locations including physician practices, nursing homes, surgical and rehabilitation centers, home health agencies and other facilities. Theseoperations comprise more than 6,300 licensed beds and employ some 44,000 people.

CHS’s flagship facility is Carolinas Medical Center, an 874-bed hospital in Charlotte that includes a Level I Trauma Center, a research institute and numerous specialty units (heart, cancer, organ transplant, behavioral health, etc.). CMC also serves as one of North Carolina’s five Academic Medical Center Teaching Hospitals, providing graduate medical education for more than 250 physicians in 18 specialties.  Levine Children’s Hospital has been recognized as one of “America’s Best Hospitals” by U.S. News & World Report. Other CMC hospitals have also been honored by J.D. Power and Associates for maternity, emergency and in-patient services. Carolinas HealthCare’s “community benefit,” which includes the value of indigent care, uncompensated medical services, education, research and charitable contributions, totals more than $770 million annually.