HealthNet Aeromedical Services, headquartered in Charleston, West Virginia, will soon expand its all-Airbus fleet with the addition of four H135 helicopters. As one of the largest hospital-based air medical programmes in the US, the helicopters will be used to serve adult, paediatric and neonatal patients across the state of West Virginia.

"HealthNet has been a valued partner of Airbus Helicopters since 1986, and we look forward to supporting its mission as it elevates its fleet with the addition of four new H135s," says president and head of the North America region Bart Reijnen. "These helicopters will be the first in its fleet equipped with Helionix avionics, allowing for increased mission flexibility and safety that benefits its employees and the communities it serves."

The light, twin-engine H135 incorporates Airbus Helicopters' Helionix avionics suite which, in addition to the four-axis autopilot, offers an innovative cockpit layout to enhance situational awareness. Designed with three large electronic displays, the cockpit is night vision goggle compatible and includes a first limit indicator, which highlights the appropriate engine instrument data for the pilot in one indicator.

"HealthNet Aeromedical Services and our three owner health systems are proud to continue to partner with Airbus to enhance our helicopter fleet," adds Clinton Burley, president and CEO. "The purchase of these aircraft exemplifies our programme's commitment to advancing the delivery of safe and high-quality transport medicine to those we serve."

HealthNet has exclusively operated Airbus Helicopters since the programme's inception nearly four decades ago, caring for more than 100,000 patients during that time. Its current fleet of 11 aircraft is comprised of H130, H135 and EC145 helicopters.