Many times each day, a call goes out somewhere in the United States for a helicopter to provide emergency airlift for a critically injured or ill patient. More often than not, a Eurocopter helicopter sold and supported by American Eurocopter answers the call.

As Heli-Expo 2013 begins, American Eurocopter can proudly say that in 2012 it led the industry in sales of new turbine commercial/civil helicopters to U.S. customers for the 12th straight year.
It also is the leader in sales to U.S. helicopter emergency medical services operators.

In the last 10 years, 75 percent of all new EMS helicopters put into service in the U.S. have been Eurocopter aircraft. American Eurocopter delivered 38 new EMS aircraft in 2012, and there are now more than 630 Eurocopter EMS aircraft in operation in the U.S., 58 percent of the entire fleet.

“We are proud of our success and our strength in this market segment, but we never forget how we got here,” said Anthony DiNota, Vice President – Commercial Sales, Marketing & Customer Support. “We’ve listened to our customers and have developed and built the aircraft they need to conduct the important mission of air medical transport.”

In 2012, American Eurocopter received 55 orders for new helicopters from EMS operators and major healthcare institutions. Operators placing multiple aircraft orders included Air Methods, Med-Trans, Metro Aviation and CalStar. Several major healthcare institutions ordered new helicopters including Geisinger Health System, Miami Valley (Ohio) Hospital, and Memphis Medical Center.

“Our EMS customers appreciate the safety and mission-fit features that are designed into Eurocopter aircraft,” said DiNota. “Eurocopter continuously strives to design and produce helicopters that enhance crew safety, reduce pilot workload and insure excellence in patient access and care.”

The Eurocopter lineup features four aircraft that are particularly suited to EMS operations. They are the AS350 B2/B3 series and EC-130 T2 single-engine helicopters, and the EC135 light twin-engine and EC145 intermediate twin-engine aircraft. The latter two helicopters feature rear-opening doors, easing the work of emergency medical attendants loading and unloading patients.

About American Eurocopter

American Eurocopter is the U.S. affiliate of Eurocopter, the largest helicopter manufacturer in the world, and a subsidiary of EADS North America Holdings, the North American operations of EADS, a world leader in aerospace, defense and related services. American Eurocopter is a helicopter manufacturer and markets, sells and supports the broadest range of civil and para-public helicopters offered by any manufacturer. The product line represents the most cost-effective, technologically-advanced helicopters, ranging from light single to heavy twin aircraft, serving all markets and missions. American Eurocopter’s headquarters and main facility are in Grand Prairie, with a large manufacturing and production facility in Columbus, Miss.