Announces Sale Of Three GrandNew Helicopters To LifeFlight Of Maine

Leonardo-Finmeccanica has announced the sale of three GrandNew helicopters in EMS configuration to long-time US customer, LifeFlight of Maine. The new helicopters will transition into a mixed fleet of aircraft to deliver advanced in-flight patient care and transport to critically injured patients across the state of Maine.

Equipped with a modern, comprehensive EMS interior featuring a single stretcher, all three GrandNew helicopters will feature NVG compatibility. The first one is expected to enter into service in 2016, with the additional two in 2017, and 2018, respectively.

“The GrandNew will simultaneously improve our immediate ability to deliver care to vulnerable patients while transitioning LifeFlight to ‘next gen’ performance,” said LifeFlight of Maine Executive Director, Tom Judge. “Safely operating in a 24/365 complex geography with extremes of weather and temperature requires high reliability, high performance, and fully capable IFR aircraft. As our fourth generation of AgustaWestland helicopters, the GrandNew will extend our range and capacity and support our ever more complex medical mission. Critically ill and injured patients trust their lives to our care. We take the gift of trust seriously. We depend on Leonardo.”

The sale represents the growing share of AgustaWestland helicopters in the North American EMS market, which now totals 115 across a fleet of AW119s, AW109s, and AW139s.

(Image provided with Leonardo-Finmeccanica news release)

FMI: www.leonardocompany.com