Air Methods, the largest air medical transportation company in the world, announced today that United Rotorcraft, a division of Air Methods (formerly known as the Products Division of Air Methods) has been awarded a contract by OSF Aviation, LLC, Peoria, Ill., a part of OSF HealthCare, to complete OSF’s four new Eurocopter EC145 aircraft. The agreement includes the design, manufacture, FAA approvals for the medical interior and avionics suite, plus exterior paint. The aircraft are expected to be delivered to OSF during the first half of 2012.

“United Rotorcraft is not only excited to partner with OSF Aviation on the completion of these four new aircraft, but we also are thrilled to bring several enhancements to our EC145 medical interior design,” stated Tom Curtis, Vice President of United Rotorcraft. “The enhancements we have made to our EC145 interior will bring these aircraft into a true first-of-its-kind configuration.”

The medical interior design of the four Eurocopter EC145s will include several new design features including a next-generation machined aluminum floor that will address maintenance accessibility, re-configuration flexibility, fluid containment and cleaning ease. The new configuration will include multi-configurable recessed window well mounts for medical support equipment, facilitating low profile storage and enhanced visibility for patient care. Additionally, the cockpit instrument panel features three avionic upgrades. The Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) enables the aircraft to rely on GPS for all phases of flight including precision approaches. The Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) enhances safety by making the aircraft visible, real time, to air traffic control and other appropriately equipped aircraft. Finally, the Storm Scope indicates lightning strikes in the immediate area for additional weather avoidance and enhanced safety.

United Rotorcraft also designs, engineers, manufactures, and certifies medical interiors for the Eurocopter EC135, EC130, and AS350, and Bell 407 and 429 helicopter airframes.

OSF Saint Anthony Lifeline (Rockford, Illinois) and OSF Saint Francis Life Flight (Peoria, Illinois) programs are 24-hour helicopter air-medical transport services. These teams of physicians, nurses, pilots and mechanics average 2,200 patient transfers each year, making them a part of the busiest aero medical operation unit in the State of Illinois. The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis have led the way in air-medical transport helicopter service in Illinois since 1981, and together, OSF HealthCare’s Life Flight and Lifeline services combine to be one of the premier flight programs in the United States.

Air Methods Corporation ( www.airmethods.com ) is a leader in emergency aeromedical transportation and medical services. The Hospital Based Services Division is the largest provider of air medical transport services for hospitals. The Community Based Services Division is one of the largest community-based providers of air medical services. United Rotorcraft specializes in the design and manufacture of aeromedical and aerospace technology. Air Methods’ fleet of owned, leased or maintained aircraft features over 400 helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.

Photo American Eurocopter from AMTC showing OSF team at signing ceremony