OSF Aviation selects EC145 helicopter

American Eurocopter has announced that OSF
Aviation, a part of OSF HealthCare based in Peoria, has ordered four EC145s as part of a
fleet replacement programme for its air medical programme.

“We are delighted that OSF has selected the
EC145 to upgrade their fleet,” said Treg Manning, American Eurocopter’s vice
president of sales. “The EC145 will provide OSF with the latest technologies,
cabin size, performance and reliability to support its top notch patient
care.” 

Brent Grady, executive director for OSF
Aviation explains, “We were very thorough in setting the groundwork for our
decision. We evaluated all of the major vendors and their helicopters. After
our research, it was very apparent that American Eurocopter was the company we
wanted to work with and that the EC145 was our aircraft of choice.”

“We knew that the EC145 would provide us
with the extra range and the power to carry extra weight when needed. With the
additional space offered by the EC145’s cabin, this allows us the capabilities
to fly team flights, carry isollettes, balloon pumps and dual patients if the
mission requires,” said Grady.

OSF Aviation began its search for a fleet
replacement aircraft in an effort to update older technology, as well as
alleviate parts, support and availability issues with its current fleet. “The
new EC145s will enable us to do so much more for those we serve – with the
confidence and reliability we require for our crews and our communities. American
Eurocopter has been extremely helpful throughout this process,” Grady added.