Metro Aviation is delivering an Airbus EC145e light twin-engine helicopter to Life Force Air Medical for its Cleveland, Tennessee base, which will be operated by Med-Trans Corp. Metro placed an order for 25 of the helicopters in 2019 for delivery over the course of four years.
The helicopter will allow Life Force to fly greater distances and provide transport to patients in need of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, as well as balloon pumps, for cardiovascular support. The EC145e is equipped with Metro Aviation’s emergency medical service kit and options under its own supplemental type certificate. It is also outfitted with the Stryker Performance Pro Gurney, which allows the aircraft gurney to interface with ground units that have the Stryker Power load system installed.
“Prior to the pandemic, and certainly during it, we recognized a need to have the ability to transport critical care patients requiring more specialized equipment and additional personnel,” said Robbie Tester, Life Force's senior director. “Our new EC145e will allow us to accomplish these highly specialized missions safely and effectively.”
Airbus Helicopters produces the EC145e at its Columbus, Mississippi assembly plant. The EC145e is a lighter and lower-cost variant of the H145 that can be ordered in a VFR-only configuration.
