9-Sep-2014 Source: Helibras
[electronic translation] The public safety market is showing a new demand for helicopters over the years.Especially for corporations that already have aircraft, but want to renew the fleet or raising the power of its air services has been growing demand for dual-impeller multimission helicopters for security, police and medical transportation activities in Brazil.
This trend observed by Helibras made the EC145 model gain prominence in several states. The advantages of the aircraft and its high capacity will be one of the attractions of Helibrás during participation in Interseg 2014 – International Fair of Technology, Services and Products for Public Safety, to be held between 9 and 11 September, in Florianópolis (SC).
By offering large sliding doors and clamshell rear entrances, access to the cabin is quite agile and facilitates transporting patients on stretchers and medical equipment or police. In addition, greater engine power, range and flight autonomy offer more safety and precision for operations risk. “The use of light helicopters for two turbines in this type of mission is no going back we had already observed in other countries, and that can only grow in Brazil,” said François Arnaud, Vice President of Sales and Marketing Helibrás .
The EC145 fleet of Public Safety of the State of Bahia, for example, went through customization and inclusion of equipment and accessories in the factory Helibrás to become an aircraft can also perform medical care. Delivered to the state in 2012, the helicopter has several security missions, able to fly by instruments of day and night and the possibility of transporting troops with two pilots and nine policemen equipped.
The model features a range of over 650 km and dimensions that allow maneuverability in tight spaces, such as in certain areas of large urban centers, roads and clearings in dense forest. The maximum speed of 145 knots and the most modern navigation systems are also important allies in security missions.
The EC145 is a dual-impeller used in all market sectors – civil, government andoffshore – in several countries. In Brazil, police began setting multimission operations in the state of Maranhão in 2011.
“It is a highly versatile aircraft and meets many requirements that can serve in future to the more complex segments such as the military,” said Arnaud, referring to the EC645 version, used by the United States Army.
The model already operates in public safety and medical care in Bahia, Ceará and Maranhão. Recently, in Minas Gerais, the EC 145 configured exclusively for aeromedical transport was acquired by the Secretary of Health and will be operated through a partnership between the Fire Brigade and the SAMU – Service Emergency Medical Care, which enabled the use of the first dual-impeller dedicated to medical operations with advanced life support in the state.