Hatzolah Air, a US medical air transport provider, has reached an agreement with Urban Aeronautics, an Israeli developer of VTOL aircraft, for four CityHawk VTOL aircraft for EMS applications. In addition, Hatzolah Air will become Urban Aeronautics' official sales representative and distribution channel to other EMS and rescue organisations worldwide. The companies previously signed an MOU to develop, produce, and market the CityHawk aircraft for EMS applications in August last year.

“We are excited to become not just the worldwide distributor of Urban Aeronautics air ambulance CityHawk, but its first customer as well,” says Eli Rowe, president of Hatzolah Air. “Our mission is always about patient care, and adding the VTOL CityHawk has the potential to save many thousands of lives every year.”

“Hatzolah's pre-order of four air ambulance CityHawks is an amazing show of confidence in our programme and in our company,” adds Nimrod Golan-Yanay, CEO of Urban Aeronautics. “We look forward to delivering on our promise to revolutionise urban air mobility and the emergency response capabilities of major cities across the world.”

The CityHawk is a lightweight twin-engine VTOL aircraft, with a uniquely compact footprint that can be optimised for urban transportation or emergency response. It will utilise jet propulsion, with cabins that are 20 to 30 percent larger and much quieter than comparable helicopters. The aircraft is planned to complete its development and FAA certification for EMS use and be ready for production within three to five years.

Hatzolah Air is a charitable organisation that provides urgent, emergent, rescue and charitable flights for patients and those in need. Hatzolah is widely recognised as providing the most advanced technology and highest quality of care available in the industry. Hatzolah Air currently operates fixed-wing aircraft for Hatzolah's urgent and emergent missions and is excited to pioneer the VTOL alternative to ground based ambulances in densely populated urban settings globally.

Urban Aeronautics' engineers are working closely with Hatzolah's experts to tailor the CityHawk flying ambulance to their operational requirements. It will accommodate a pilot, a patient plus companion, two EMS personnel and a complete suite of onboard life support equipment.