American Eurocopter, the leading provider of helicopters to the U.S. air medical transport industry, announced that Memorial MedFlight in South Bend, Ind., has purchased an EC145.

The new aircraft will improve and expand Memorial MedFlight’s patient care capability by increasing the program’s range and service area, allowing it to better serve the critical care transport needs of northern Indiana and southern Michigan. Memorial MedFlight is the air medical and critical care transport system for Beacon Health System of South Bend.

“Memorial MedFlight is pleased to continue our relationship with American Eurocopter,” said MedFlight Program Manager Rodney Logan. “The EC145 allows us to continue operating in the latest state-of-the-art aircraft, while adding cutting edge safety features and IFR operations to provide our patients the best care possible.”

As an ancillary department within Memorial Hospital of South Bend, Ind., Memorial MedFlight and its highly trained critical care transport specialists are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to respond quickly and transport critically ill or injured patients within a 150-mile radius. Whether the need is for an on scene response or an inter-facility transport, Memorial MedFlight provides the knowledge and expertise needed for optimal patient care.

The new EC145 will be completed by Metro Aviation and is scheduled to be in service in June of this year.

The EC145 payload and range capacity, along with the large cabin and useful load ability, allow for the transport of medical teams and special equipment. Providing operators with multi-mission capability in a medium-class, twin-engine helicopter, the EC145 is powered by two Turbomeca ARRIEL engines. The aircraft’s combination of speed and performance, along with its high-set main and tail rotors, large cabin and rear-loading clamshell doors, has made it the helicopter of choice for a large number of EMS programs in the United States and worldwide.

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, the second largest aerospace and defense company in the world. 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, serving all markets and missions. Company headquarters and main facility are in Grand Prairie, Texas, with a large manufacturing and production facility in Columbus, Miss.

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