Medical Air Assistance took delivery of two EC135 T2s in December 2004. The helicopters have been in service at Amsterdam and Nijmegen since January 1, 2005. The third helicopter will be based at Rotterdam following delivery on February 1.

According to pilot Thomas Gassmann, the company considered several other models before selecting the Eurocopter due to its suitability to the mission profile.

“The EC135 T2 best fitted the profile for the specific tasks we undertake here in the Netherlands,” he said.

“This profile was developed in close cooperation with the people

at the trauma centre we are working with. Several aspects, including medical needs, space provision, noise levels, the availability of

spare parts, the maintenance organisation and, of course, costs formed part of this profile.”

The aircraft, which will be used for HEMS and air ambulance flights, will mostly be operating in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.

“The helicopters are equipped with the newest medical interiors from Bucher, Switzerland, with side-load-capability. The flight deck has dual-pilot IFR capability, however in day-to-day operation only VFR flights are executed.”

Gassmann added: “As part of

the contract, some of our pilots received their training at the factory training centre in Donauwörth, Germany. However, most of the pilots and all crew members received training at our own facility during the last three months.”

Medical Air Assistance anticipates that each helicopter will fly between 300 and 400 hours per year.

The Eurocopters will replace two Bo105 CBS4 helicopters, which

the company plans to sell. In addition, Medical Air Assistance is currently considering the acquisition of two further EC135 T2s to complement the fleet.