From Heli-Expo 2012, American Eurocopter has announced that Air Care, which serves Cincinnati’s University Hospital and West Chester Hospital in Butler County, has chosen the EC145 to upgrade its fleet of BK-117 helicopters.

Since its inception in 1984, the Air Care flight team has completed more than 28,000 accident-free patient care flight missions. They currently operate two BK-117 helicopters and are part of the continuum of care offered by the larger organization, Air Care & Mobile Care of UC Health – University Hospital. Air Care is the only program in the region to carry an emergency physician on every flight.

“We have been very pleased with the performance of the BK-117, and now that we are ready to purchase a new helicopter, the EC145 has the performance and flexibility our operation requires,” said Teri Grau, Air Care’s Program Director. “We initially considered other aircraft, but realized we needed a mature, proven aircraft with high reliability and excellent manufacturer support to fulfill our flight volume needs. Our requirements and those of our affiliates will mean we need at least two and possibly three new EC 145’s in service.”

The EC145 provides operators with multi-mission capability in a medium-class, twin-engine helicopter. Powered by two Turbomeca ARRIEL engines, the EC145 offers a combination of speed and performance that, 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.

“Air Care has operated BK-117s for many years,” said Marc Paganini, President and CEO of American Eurocopter. “They have chosen the EC145 for its performance, speed, cabin size and excellent visibility, and it will provide their program the capabilities they need to continue to serve the Greater Cincinnati area with specialized medical transport services.”

The new EC 145’s will be customized and operated by Metro Aviation of Shreveport, Louisiana and are expected to enter service in late 2012. For more information on American Eurocopter or the EC145 helicopter, stop by booth #1917 at Heli-Expo 2012 in Dallas or visit www.eurocopterusa.com.