Beacon Health System’s Memorial Hospital of South Bend, Indiana recently received their new Eurocopter EC145. The aircraft was chosen for the larger cabin, payload and range as compared to their current EC135. The aircraft coincides with a rebranding of the air services to include Memorial Children’s Hospital and a slightly different color scheme.

Memorial MedFlight is equipped with Single Pilot IFR, giving the crew the latest technology in communication and safety capabilities. The aircraft also includes the following Metro Aviation STC equipment items:

Triple evaporator air conditioning
WAAS LPV capabilities
Radar and Storm Scope systems
Traffic Warning System
Stryker Pro Flex gurney
Stryker Pro Flex neonatal transport
North Flight Data Systems’ Light Aircraft Recording System

Memorial MedFlight Program Director Rodney Logan hopes the aircraft will help grow the program’s capabilities and safety measures. “The new aircraft will allow us to be as safe as possible and the increased cabin volume and power afford us the opportunity to care for NICU patients with the assistance of NICU Specialty Teams; something we haven’t been able to do before now,” said Logan.

Metro Aviation has become known for a customer-driven approach and Logan describes that personal service as “unbelievable.” Equipped with guidance along the way, he says the entire experience was “professional, straight forward and responsive.”

The program converted from its previous operator to Metro Aviation on June 1. The EC145 as equipped meets the current NTSB recommendations including the requirement for enhanced flight following and dispatch.

About Metro Aviation

Metro Aviation, Inc., based in Shreveport, Louisiana, United States is a worldwide provider of completion services for all missions and types of helicopters and specializes in the EC135 and EC145 with several Supplemental Type Certificates (STC) developed by the company for these and other aircraft. Metro Aviation is an FAA approved repair station, approved Eurocopter Service Center and FAR Part 135 air medical operations provider at several locations across the United States. The company is privately held and is one of the largest traditional air medical providers in the country. For additional information regarding Metro Aviation, Inc. and any of its products or services