Metro Aviation became the first North American customer for the EC145e when it contracted to purchase six helicopters and launched an extensive demo tour of the new lighter weight, lower cost version of the highly successful EC145.  Metro recently identified Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta as the launch customer for the 145e and says they are excited to begin operating the variant in the U.S.

“We are glad to see a customer embrace the unique capabilities of the e-lite platform to support the critical needs of their customer base,” said Metro Managing Director Milton Geltz.  “The aircraft can accommodate up to five specialty care clinicians or four clinicians and a family member.”

The EC145e retains the power, performance and reliability of the legacy EC145, but with a useful load of up to 300 pounds more than the original.  Children’s e-lite will be equipped with Metro’s air conditioning system, HeliSAS and specialty pediatric care equipment.

Children’s currently operates an Airbus BK117.  “We are accustomed to the size of the BK117 and we were attracted to the greater useful load and reduced cost of the EC145e,” said Greg Pereira, Director of Transport and Trauma.  “We are looking forward to the capabilities of this new ship, including the ability to transform it into a pediatric intensive care unit.”