AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that Life Flight Network has accepted its first of fifteen AW119Kx sinngle engine helicopters during al ceremony held at Heli-Expo 2013 (Las Vegas) today. All aircraft are expected to be delivered by year end to perform emergency medical service missions with this first aircraft set to be based at Aurora, Oregan.

Bob Brant, AgustaWestland Philadelphia’s VP Sales & Marketing, added “We are delighted to celebrate the acceptance of the first AW119Kx by its launch customer, a prime EMS operator in US which, we are sure, will deliver unparalleled levels of mission effectiveness and safety in all conditions thanks to its unique combination of state-of-the-art avionics, high performance and outstanding cabin space and payload.”

Michael Griffiths, CEO, Life Flight Network, said at the ceremony “We are all very excited at Life Flight Network about the acceptance of our first AW119Kx and we look forward to the aircraft entering service.”

Unveiled in October 2012, the AW119Kx is the latest evolution of the proven AW119 single engine helicopter which features the Garmin G1000H^TM integrated flight deck system while keeping the AW119’s outstanding performance, cabin space and payload. The new avionics system includes a synthetic vision system, moving map, highway in the sky and obstacle/terrain avoidance systems for enhanced situational awareness and safety. The new avionics are also optimized for diagnostics and data analysis for maintenance purposes. Over 220 AW119 helicopters have been ordered to date in more than 30 countries by over 100 customers. The new AW119Kx, like the AW119Ke, is perfectly suited to perform many roles including EMS, VIP/corporate transport, utility, fire-fighting, offshore transport, law enforcement and government duties.

Life Flight Network exists to provide air and ground critical care transportation for seriously ill or injured patients from the scene of an illness or accident or from one hospital to another. The company is known for quality medical care, a commitment to strong relationships with area EMS and hospitals, and an overall dedication to excellence. Life Flight Network strategically positions bases throughout the Northwest and Intermountain West to provide maximum coverage to the communities it serves. LFN has safely transported over 60,000 patients over three decades of operation and has bases in Aurora, Hillsboro, Eugene, La Grande, Redmond, Pendleton and Ontario, Oregon; Longview and Dallesport, Washington; and Boise, Mountain Home, Pocatello, Sandpoint and Lewiston, Idaho. The company currently operates a combined fleet of 14 medical helicopters, four fixed-wing aircraft and four ground ambulances. Life Flight Network, a not-for-profit air medical service, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS). Life Flight Network has administrative offices in Aurora, Oregon and is owned by a consortium of Legacy Health System, Providence Health System-Oregon, Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center and Oregon Health and Science University. Helicopter services are provided by Air Methods Corporation. Fixed-wing services are provided by Aero Air, LLC and Conyan Aviation. For more information about Life Flight Network please visit www.lifeflight.org