Dare County MedFlight US Launch Customer of EC145T2

Airbus Helicopters, March 03, 2015 - ORLANDO, Florida – Dare County MedFlight, the air medical service provider for much of the Outer Banks region of North Carolina and the site of the Wright Brothers first flight, is the U.S. launch customer for the Airbus Helicopters EC145 T2.

The Dare County aircraft is on display at Airbus Helicopters Booth #2437 during Heli-Expo 2015.

A longtime operator of the legacy BK117, a predecessor to the EC145 T2, Dare County officials made the decision to order the new aircraft after a mid-2014 trip to the Airbus Helicopters plant in Donauwoerth, Germany to inspect and fly the helicopter. Dare County selected Metro Aviation, of Shreveport, La. to do the air medical completion.

"We've been using the BK117 for about 30 years and we've had great success with that aircraft," said Chad Jones, Director of Operations and chief pilot for Dare County. "Our pilots had all flown the EC135 and EC145 and thought the best attributes of those two aircraft should be combined into one helicopter. That's what Airbus Helicopters has done with EC145 T2."

The EC145 T2 provides significant performance upgrades. Turbomeca Arriel 2E engines, with dual channel FADEC, generate 951 shaft horsepower for takeoff and allow for substantially improved hover and one-engine inoperative performance, as well as increased max gross weight capability.

The EC145 T2 is equipped with the Airbus Helicopters developed Helionix avionics system, including a standard 4-axis digital Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS), for reduced pilot workload and improved situational awareness. A Fenestron enclosed tail rotor, new to the EC145 T2, dramatically reduces noise levels. The helicopter's tail boom is constructed of composite materials.

"We are excited about the reduced pilot workload and added safety the 4-axis autopilot and FADEC bring to the EC145 T2," Jones said, adding that Airbus Helicopters has always provided great support and service to Dare County. "We've never had an issue. If we had we would not be the launch customer for the T2."

"Airbus Helicopters is proud that Dare County MedFlight, a loyal, longtime and satisfied customer, will be the first U.S. operator of the EC145 T2. This is a great aircraft and Dare County will quickly demonstrate the significant improvements embodied in this new aircraft that will set a new level of performance for air medical operations," said Treg Manning, Vice President, Sales and Marketing for Airbus Helicopters Inc.

Airbus Helicopters AH has received orders and options for more than 100 EC145 T2s, plus 15 EC645 T2s for the German Army.

For more information on Airbus Helicopters EC145, AS350 AStars and other industry leading products, stop by Airbus Helicopters Booth #2437 at Heli-Expo 2015 in Orlando.

Airbus Helicopters Inc. is the U.S. affiliate of Airbus Helicopters, the largest helicopter manufacturer in the world, and a subsidiary of the Airbus Group. Airbus Helicopters Inc. is a manufacturer, markets, sells and supports the broadest range of civil and parapublic helicopters offered in the U.S. The product line represents the industry's most cost-effective, technologically-advanced helicopters serving all markets and missions. The company's headquarters and main facility are in Grand Prairie, Texas with a large manufacturing and production facility in Columbus, Miss.