Two Already Flying, Two Set For Delivery Later This Year

CareFlite, a nonprofit 501(c) 3 corporation providing fully integrated medical transport across North Texas, is now fielding four Bell 407GX helicopters, with two aircraft currently in the field and others preparing to enter service later this year. These aircraft will transport ill or injured patients to critical care facilities and one will be based out of Granbury Municipal Airport while the other will originate from Harris Methodist Fort Worth.

“The Bell 407GX is an ideal aircraft for transporting critical care patients,” said James Swartz, President and CEO of CareFlite. “We chose it because of its proven reliability and performance combined with an advanced avionics suite and factory installed autopilot.

”Established in 1979, CareFlite is the oldest joint-use air medical transportation service in the nation, and the second oldest in Texas. CareFlite operates six helicopter bases – Harris Methodist Fort Worth Hospital, Methodist Dallas Medical Center, Denton Regional Hospital, the Frisco Fire Department, the Granbury Municipal Airport and Lake Whitney Medical Center – to serve more than 100 counties within a 150-mile radius of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.

Over the last 35 years, CareFlite has airlifted more than 75,000 patients and flown more than 82,000 flight hours. In addition to these air-based services, CareFlite also operates 65 ambulances in the region to support ground programs for non-emergency and 911 situations.

“We’re honored to be a valued partner with CareFlite and look forward to continuing to provide them with the excellent service and safe, reliable, high-performance aircraft they have come to expect from Bell Helicopter,” said Anthony Moreland, Bell Helicopter’s managing director of North American sales.

In a medical air ambulance configuration, the Bell 407GX can carry two critical care medical personnel to provide care for one patient.

The 407GX features the Garmin G1000H flight deck, providing critical flight information at a glance for greater situational awareness and increased safety. The flight deck's high resolution LCD screens host primary flight and multi-function display information, including Helicopter Terrain Avoidance Warning System, Helicopter Synthetic Vision Technology, Traffic Information Systems and more. The 407GX also features a tail rotor camera, allowing the pilot a clear view of the tail during take-offs. It supports a variety of missions, including helicopter air ambulance, for customers throughout the world.

(Image provided by Bell Helicopter)

FMI: www.bellhelicopter.com