OSF Aviation adds four EC145 helicopters

OSF Aviation, the Illinois-based air care provider, has added four new EC145s to its helicopter fleet. The new aircraft were placed into service this summer as part of a fleet replacement program initiated last year.

The new EC145s replaced the fleet operated for OSF Saint Anthony Lifeline (Rockford, Ill.) and OSF Saint Francis Life Flight (Peoria, Ill.).

“We could not be more pleased with our selection of the EC 145,” said OSF executive director Brent Grady. “Our fleet of four has been in service since July and greatly improved our patient care and transport capability. We looked at several helicopters for our needs. The 145 offered the best combination of pre-hospital patient care, specialty transport capability, life cycle cost, safety record, and proven manufacturer support. OSF is certain that our investment in Eurocopter products will provide positive returns for the long-term while allowing us to support our growing system transport needs.”

The EC145s were completed by United Rotorcraft, an Air Methods Division, the aircraft are the first WAAS-certified EC145s in service in the USA.

“When we entered the competition at OSF Aviation it was open to anybody,” said American Eurocopter vice president of commercial sales and marketing Treg Manning. “They were using competitor aircraft and were very thorough in their procurement research. When their work was done, they selected the EC145, based not only on its capabilities, but also for having American Eurocopter as a long-term support partner. We are truly appreciative of their efforts and confidence in us.”