3-Aug-2016 Source: HelicopterBuyer
HelicopterBuyer, Inc. has announced it has sold the 1992 Bell 412HP, S/N: 36057, R/N: D-HHUU exclusively on behalf of DRF (DRF Luftrettung) from Baden-Baden, Germany. DRF is in the process of selling their Bell 412’s with HelicopterBuyer’s brokerage services and is transitioning to Airbus EC145 T2’s as part of a fleet modernization program.
The EMS configured Bell 412HP helicopter was purchased by Heli-Austria located in St. Johann, Austria. The helicopter will undergo a complete refurbishment including a 5,000-hour major inspection, new paint and interior, avionics update, possible PT6T-3DF engine upgrade, removal of EMS equipment and reconfiguration to utility. Heli-Austria will operate the helicopter for external load and rescue hoist work in high mountain environments in Europe and possibly offer the helicopter for dry lease.
Mark V. Clancy, President, says “This is the second Bell 412 we have sold this year to Heli-Austria. We are observing an industry trend of older EMS and offshore 412’s transitioning to the utility operators.”
Heli-Austria is an innovator who has developed creative ways to reduce the Bell 412 empty weight and improve high/hot lift capacity in conjunction with their own EASA approved PT6T-3DF Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) installation. Roy Knaus, president of Heli-Austria, remarked that “improvements Heli-Austria has made to lighten the empty weight with strong PT6T-3DF engine margins allow our Bell 412’s to operate in many high altitude environments and circumstances.”
DRF Luftrettung has a 43-year history and is the predominant non-profit Emergency Medical Services provider across Germany operating over 30 helicopters with nearly as many bases. DRF is coming off one of their strongest operating years and has been reinvesting and expanding their emergency helicopter services across Germany.
Heli-Austria is an EMS, rescue, transport, news, and utility operator with over 20 Bell, Airbus, and MD Helicopters light and medium lift helicopters. Heli-Austria has been operating for over the last 30 years and is seeking to expand their support projects within Europe and in other developing counties.
HelicopterBuyer Inc. is a global helicopter broker and dealer of Bell, Leonardo (Agusta), and Airbus with 16 years of experience offering buyers and sellers unique value-driven sales and acquisition solutions to utility, EMS, offshore, law enforcement, government, and corporate helicopter operators.
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