HealthNet Aeromedical Services (HNAS) of Charleston, West Virginia, has placed an order for an EC145e helicopter from Metro Aviation. Metro expects to deliver the light to medium twin helicopter from its Shreveport-based completion centre in the summer of 2020.

“HNAS and our sponsoring academic medical centres are proud to partner with Metro Aviation and Airbus on this important project,” says CEO and president Clinton Burley. “Throughout our 32 years of service, a hallmark of this programme has been ongoing enhancement of our fleet. This is exemplified in this purchase of the EC145e, allowing us to continually improve our mission profile.”

HNAS selected the EC145e for its advanced avionics and spacious cabin. In addition to a Metro Aviation medical interior, the aircraft will have the Outerlink IRIS system on board. IRIS capabilities include 10-second tracking backfilled to the second, for a more accurate billable mileage capture, live aircraft data reporting and live EKG data transmissions.

“The EC145e is now IFR-capable and a perfect fit for the HNAS mission,” explains Metro president Mike Stanberry. “The new system delivers more performance at a lighter weight and lower cost than anything currently on the market, and the large cabin allows the space needed for specialised medical crews to provide the absolute best patient care.”

The IFR-equipped EC145e will join HealthNet's current Airbus-exclusive fleet, comprising an EC145, five EC135s and six EC130s. The newest aircraft will be stationed in Beckley, West Virginia, replacing the current EC135 servicing Charleston Area Medical Center.