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Ornge Takes Delivery Of The First FIPS-Equipped AW139 EMS

Written by thomas · Filed Under Aeronautics News 

June 15, 2010

thomas

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that Ornge of Ontario, Canada, has taken delivery of the first of ten AW139 medium twin helicopters. The helicopters are being produced at AgustaWestland’s Philadelphia, Pennsylvania production facility. The contract includes an option for two additional aircraft. The helicopter is equipped with an advanced full aero-medical interior and is the first EMS-configured AW139 in North America featuring the Full Ice Protection System (FIPS) for flights in known icing conditions with real all weather capability. The delivery of this aircraft follows the recently achieved TCAA Certifications for the FIPS system with EASA and FAA Certification already achieved. The AW139 is the first helicopter in its weight category to receive FIPS Certification.

Lou Bartolotta, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Sales, North America said “We are proud to deliver the best medium twin helicopter for emergency medical service duties to such a leading aero-medical operator and to the benefit of the large community they serve. The AW139 will enable Ornge to significantly enhance its operational capabilities thanks to outstanding performance, dedicated mission tools and a state-of-the-art de-icing system which is a first on the world helicopter market. This ensures Ornge will successfully accomplish the mission of saving lives even in the most demanding weather conditions when other types would be confined to the hangar.”

“As innovators in transport medicine, Ornge is always in pursuit of cutting-edge advances in aviation that will positively impact our efforts to deliver excellence in patient care,” said Dr. Christopher Mazza, President and CEO of Ornge. “We believe that the FIPS-equipped AW139 represents a major step in that advancement, and we are proud to be the first system of our kind in North America to take receipt of one. With greater ability to respond to our environment through FIPS, as well as the many other capabilities and features of the AW139, this helicopter will provide our pilots, paramedics and patients with unparalleled safety and operational flexibility in the sky.”

Designed with inherent multi-role capability and flexibility of operation, the AW139 is capable of carrying up to four litters and four medical attendants, in the most spacious cabin and with the best power reserve of any other helicopter in the medium twin-engine class. The internal dimensions of the large and unobstructed AW139 cabin make it an ideal choice for EMS and SAR applications. The flat floor and ceiling provide maximum cabin space and easy reconfiguration. An eight cubic meter cabin that is 1.42 meters high allows medical attendants easy access to casualties. Litter layout ranges from two to four in medevac configuration. If cabin access to the large baggage compartment is utilized, litter capacity can be increased to six.

The AW139 is the fastest helicopter in its class with a maximum cruise speed of 167 knots and has outstanding performance, even in hot and high conditions, thanks to the two powerful P&W PT6C-67C engines. More than 460 AW139 helicopters have been ordered so far by over 120 customers in almost 50 countries to perform various roles including EMS, search and rescue, offshore transport, VIP/Corporate transport, law enforcement, fire fighting, utility and government duties.

Ornge is a not-for-profit charitable organization that coordinates all aspects of Ontario’s aero-medical transport system. Ornge operates one of the largest aero medical and critical care land transport medicine programs in North America and currently has more than 400 employees in eight areas of operation. This includes over 200 paramedics, paediatric transport paramedics and transport medicine physicians. Ornge’s expertise in transport medicine lies in its ability to serve more than 12 million Ontarians throughout a geographic area of 1 million square kilometres, delivering its scope of services through comprehensive door-to-door acute care aero medical transport.

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