About us
Products
Sales & Marketing
Markets
Customer support
Technical support
Technical publications
After Market Services
Training
Safety
Quality
Environmental Policy
Awards
News
Careers
Did you know?
- U.S. economic impact
• Estimated at $740 million in direct activity and business brought to the network of some 1,000 vendors
- Industrial footprint
• Nearly 1 million square feet
• Production/assembly facilities at Grand Prairie, Texas & Columbus, Mississippi
- American Eurocopter’s heritage
• Our products have been flying in the USA since 1957
- American Eurocopter’s heritage
• Our first U.S. sales partnership was established in 1963
- American Eurocopter’s heritage
• Our first U.S. manufacturing partnership was established in 1969
- American Eurocopter’s heritage
• Our SA.313 Alouette II was the first ever light turbine helicopter to enter civil operation in the U.S. (with PHI)
- American Eurocopter’s heritage
• We have been a fully-owned U.S. helicopter manufacturer since 1974
- #1 in the marketplace
• We have been the #1 producer of civil turbine helicopters in the U.S. for 9 of the past 10 years
- #1 in the marketplace
• We are #1 in four market segments
- The broadest product range
• From the 2 ton EC120 to the 11 ton EC225
- A Hollywood star
• Our AS350 AStar is one of the most popular helicopters used in the movies!
- Neighborly-friendly
• Our Fenestron-equipped helicopters are some of the quietest available
- Over 2,500 aircraft delivered
• To U.S. operators since 1957
- Around the world
• Our U.S. aircraft fly the equivalent of 3,500 flights around the world each year
News > EC155 phase-in marks the beginning of a new era for the University of Michigan Health System
EC155 phase-in marks the beginning of a new era for the University of Michigan Health System
August 13, 2012
The University of Michigan Health System’s Survival Flight program is being significantly enhanced with the phase-in of three new Eurocopter EC155 helicopters, which will allow the medical flight service to travel further, faster and with less noise during its life-saving operations.
 |
These rotary-wing aircraft – the first of which entered service this month – are the first EC155s for emergency medical operations in the U.S., and are replacing a fleet of three Bell 430 helicopters. Their five-blade main rotors and shrouded Fenestron tail rotors reduce vibration and noise for a smooth ride at high speeds, while the aircraft’s much shorter warm-up time and faster cruising speed shave critical minutes from both ends of flight.
Another key advantage of the EC155s is their 500-mile range, which will allow Survival Flight to fly them as far as Syracuse, New York or Louisville, Kentucky without refueling. The helicopters also have clearance to fly to Canada, and can reach Toronto and beyond.Â
The University of Michigan Health System’s EC155s – delivered by American Eurocopter in a distinctive maize-and-blue livery – have advanced equipment and safety features, including the ability to fly in low-visibility conditions. In addition, the aircraft have nearly 50 percent more cabin space for patients and nurses, as well as an all-glass cockpit.
During transport, the helicopters are staffed by two flight nurses who also are licensed as paramedics. Survival Flight is Michigan’s only health care provider to require such a high standard of dual certification, with its 21 full-time nurses cross-trained to treat everyone from newborns to geriatric patients.
In advance of the EC155 service entries, Survival Flight’s mechanics received in-depth training at the Grand Prairie, Texas headquarters of American Eurocopter. Pilots traveled to France for a two-week flight simulation program in addition to a 12-day ground school, and have been certified by the Federal Aviation Administration.
View the Feature archive.
