8-Dec-2010 Source: Sloane Helicopters
[HeliHub.com has already provided links to a press report on this operation. This press release provides a lot more detail than the press report]
Sloane Helicopters Limited is pleased to announce the entry into service of the UK’s first Agusta EMS Grand, G-HEMZ, with the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance, one of the busiest regions in the UK, which will benefit greatly from the presence of this new powerful machine available every day of the year.
The Grand is the largest of the light twins in EMS operations boasting:
* Maximum take-off weight of Kg 3,175
* VNE of 168 Kts
* Full IFR capability
* Large cabin that can readily accommodate one or two stretchers plus up to three passengers
* Unrestricted access to the patient’s entire body
* More than 200kgs of possible payload with full fuel, five passengers, pilot and all standard medical equipment
* Sentinel moving map system
* Generous aft storage area
* Robust 3-wheel undercarriage permitting landing and take-off on prepared or unprepared surfaces together with the unique ability to ground taxi
The aircraft, which has been modified by Sloane Helicopters to include the medical, navigation and radio equipment, offers an amazing combination of power and speed, making it very versatile yet maintaining critical safety features.
“We are delighted by the choice made by our customer: the Grand EMS is a powerful machine, able to cope with the most demanding operational and clinical requirements. I have no doubts that she will soon prove her worth to the community she serves” said Jeremy Awenat, Managing Director of Sloane Helicopters.
” The Agusta Grand EMS delivers unique performances due to its highly favourable weight-to-power ratio. The pilot operates form a very modern cockpit which has been enhanced by the Sentinel navigation system whose installation has been specifically developed by us for this aircraft type. The Grand offers to the medical crew a spacious space to operate into, including access to the whole body of the patient. Loading and offloading of the stretcher is a simple operation carried out at the crew’s waist level. Besides generous pace in the cabin, the aircraft offers one cubic meter of storage in the tail boom for any additional carry on and loose equipment. We have already received expressions of interest from other Air Ambulance Charities which would be willing to explore in more details the capabilities of the Grand” reported Giorgio Bendoni, Sales and Marketing Director of Sloane Helicopters
Sloane Helicopters is the Agusta and Robinson distributor in the UK and Ireland. Sloane is an approved Service Centre for Agusta, Robinson, Bell, Pratt&Whitney and very shortly for RollsRoyce. Sloane Helicopters holds a JAR-OPS 3 approval under which operates four Air ambulances and a number of privately owned helicopters. Sloane Helicopters holds FTO and TRTO approvals and delivers a wide number of training courses. For more information please contact Giorgio Bendoni, Sales and Marketing Director at gbendoni@sloanehelicopters.com or on 01604817180 and visit our website www.sloanehelicopters.com.