Metro Aviation, Inc. recently completed two major STC programs on the Eurocopter EC130 selected by Medflight Ohio (Columbus) to replace a mixed and aging fleet. The first two completed aircraft were delivered to Medflight Ohio, on June 6th where Metro Aviation, Inc. will serve as the operator, replacing Omniflight Helicopters as the Operator. Following crew training and familiarization, training and pilot check rides, the aircraft will be placed into service. The remaining 6aircraft are to be completed and placed in service by Oct 2011. The aircraft STC’s were split into two projects, Emergency Medical Equipment and Optional Equipment Kit.

The 130M-100 EMS kit includes the following Primary and Optional Equipment:

Primary Equipment Installations to Kit (Minimum Equipment):

• 130M-200 FLOOR PALLET INSTALL
• 130M-250 ISOLATION BARRIER INSTALL
• 130M-300 METRO/LIFEPORT PLS INSTALL
• 130M-400 SEATING INSTALL
• 130M-500 MEDICAL PANEL INST.
• 130M-800 MEDICAL GAS PANEL INSTALL

Optional Equipment Installations to Kit (can be selected individually):

• 130M-110 JUNCTION BOX INSTALL
• 130M-125 ELECTRICAL INSTALL
• 130M-640 LOX INSTALL (10 liter)
• 130M-700 REMOTE EQUIP MNT INSTALL
• 130M-710 STORAGE RESTRAINT PROVISIONS INSTALL
• 130M-720 MEDICAL SUCTION INSTALL
• 130M-730 MED AIR INSTALL
• 130M-810 RH IV SUPPORT INSTALL
• 130M-900 MEDICAL INVERTER

The 130M-OPT Optional Equipment includes the following component installations (selected individually):

• 130M-105 BLACKOUT CURTAIN INSTALL
• 130M-111 JUNCTION BOX INSTALL
• 130M-140 PORTABLE OXYGEN MOUNT INSTALL
• 130M-164 CABIN LIGHTING SYSTEN  Install
• 130M-167 LH CARGO LIGHT INSTALL
• 130M-168 RH CARGO LIGHT INSTALL
• 130M-169 AFT CARGO LIGHT INSTALL
• 130M-170 LOADING LIGHT INSTALL
• 130M-185 AUXILARY LANDING LIGHT SYSTEM INSTALL
• 130M-195 CONTROLLABLE SEARCHLIGHT SYSTEM INSTALL
• 130M-550 MEDICAL EQUIPMENT RACK INSTALLATION

Milton Geltz, Managing Director for Metro Aviation, Inc. stated: “The equipment selected for installation by Medflight Ohio is comparable to a much larger airframe platform. Metro Aviation’s challenge was to reduce size, weight and complexity to match the performance goals of the single engine airframe. We think we accomplished this goal. Equipment can be selected individually to custom model the airframe configuration to the end user mission profile.” Geltz also went on to say; “Metro Aviation, Inc. choose a strategic partner for the Litter System in Lifeport, utilizing the Med Deck system with the TSO carbon fiber litter. This selection was based on the necessity to meet design critical loading criteria unique to not only the EC130 but the EC155B1 that we are in process of completing three of for the University of Michigan.”

In conjunction with this program, Metro Aviation, Inc. worked cooperatively with Cobham/S-Tec HeliSaS to not only complete the STC program on the AS350B2, AS350B3 but also the EC130B4 an RGS (Garmin) to add the Radar altimeter feature on the Garmin G500H installation supplementing the HTAWS and Traffic System. Aviation Specialties Unlimited was selected for the NVG installation. The NORTH Flight Data Systems LARS System is scheduled for certification later this year.

Geltz concluded by stating, “this program began with the customer selection of Metro Aviation for the completion of the aircraft and ended successfully by blending the customer mission profile requirements with Metro’s stringent operational requirements with the end result being an aircraft meeting our partners expectations and all currently proposed FAA/NTSB considered guidelines.”