ADAC Air Rescue today signed its latest order in a framework acquisition agreement with Eurocopter for the purchase of 14 EC145 T2 and three EC135 P2e helicopters, which are to be delivered between 2013 and 2017.
The contract concluded today at the ILA Berlin Air Show was for an EC145 T2, which is part of the renewal strategy for ADAC Air Rescue's current BK117 inventory. Signing the accord were ADAC Managing Director Stefan Wessling and Wolfgang Schoder, Eurocopter Executive Vice President - Programs.
"We are very pleased that ADAC Air Rescue has once again chosen Eurocopter, marking a continuation of the more than 40 years in our close and successful cooperation," Schoder said. "With the EC145 T2, ADAC Air Rescue will be operating the newest aircraft in the light twin-engine helicopter category. The EC145 T2 was developed in close consultation with air rescue organizations with the specific aim of further satisfying operators' exacting safety and performance requirements."
With an existing fleet of 49 helicopters, ADAC Air Rescue is one of Eurocopter's largest European customers in the emergency medical services market segment. Its new EC145 T2 rotorcraft signed for today will be delivered next year, joining the BK117, EC135, and EC145 helicopters already in the fleet.
"ADAC's commitments for new helicopters and their associated SAR equipment represent an investment of over 130 million euros in the future of air rescue operations in Germany," Wessling explained. "Eurocopter is providing an aircraft with unbeatable performance characteristics to replace our BK117 helicopters over the long term."
The EC145 T2 is the successor to Eurocopter's proven EC145. It is equipped with two Turbomeca Arriel 2E dual-channel engines with FADEC (full authority digital engine controls) and ensures greatly improved output in the event of a possible engine failure - as required by the latest airworthiness standards. Additionally, the new helicopter version features the Eurocopter-developed Fenestron shrouded tail rotor, which offers extra safety on the ground and in the air. A four-axis autopilot and a new avionics suite provide added support for pilots, enabling them to concentrate on the more demanding aspects of each mission.
Eurocopter's EC135 P2e being acquired by ADAC Air Rescue is an improved version of the popular EC135 twin-engine helicopter, with an increased maximum takeoff weight. Currently, there are more than 1,000 EC135s in service worldwide. These helicopters have earned their laurels as a search-and-rescue platform thanks to an outstanding safety record, low cost of ownership, and low noise levels. ADAC Air Rescue already operates 32 EC135s, which have logged a total of more than 100,000 flight hours.
The new EC135 P2e and EC145 T2 helicopters acquired by ADAC Air Rescue will be fitted with medical equipment and the communication tools needed for rescue operations. Sporting ADAC's classic yellow livery, they will be deployed as air ambulances for transporting intensive-care patients from one hospital to another, as well as in rescue missions - using a rescue hoist when necessary.
All of the helicopters are certified for instrument flight rules (IFR) operations, including certification for night vision goggles missions during nighttime and in low-light conditions.
The "yellow angels," as ADAC's helicopters are sometimes called, operate from more than 35 helicopter bases across Germany. Four of them operate in collaboration with neighboring countries, creating one of Europe's largest air rescue organizations. Rescue helicopters such as those operated by ADAC today also form an integral part of any mountain rescue service, giving them the means to rapidly repatriate injured persons from difficult-to-access places.
Visit Eurocopter at the ILA Berlin Air Show both in the HeliCenter (Hall 3, Booth 3636) and in the EADS Pavilion. For current news and pictures from the air show, go to: http://press.eurocopter.com
The contract concluded today at the ILA Berlin Air Show was for an EC145 T2, which is part of the renewal strategy for ADAC Air Rescue's current BK117 inventory. Signing the accord were ADAC Managing Director Stefan Wessling and Wolfgang Schoder, Eurocopter Executive Vice President - Programs.
"We are very pleased that ADAC Air Rescue has once again chosen Eurocopter, marking a continuation of the more than 40 years in our close and successful cooperation," Schoder said. "With the EC145 T2, ADAC Air Rescue will be operating the newest aircraft in the light twin-engine helicopter category. The EC145 T2 was developed in close consultation with air rescue organizations with the specific aim of further satisfying operators' exacting safety and performance requirements."
With an existing fleet of 49 helicopters, ADAC Air Rescue is one of Eurocopter's largest European customers in the emergency medical services market segment. Its new EC145 T2 rotorcraft signed for today will be delivered next year, joining the BK117, EC135, and EC145 helicopters already in the fleet.
"ADAC's commitments for new helicopters and their associated SAR equipment represent an investment of over 130 million euros in the future of air rescue operations in Germany," Wessling explained. "Eurocopter is providing an aircraft with unbeatable performance characteristics to replace our BK117 helicopters over the long term."
The EC145 T2 is the successor to Eurocopter's proven EC145. It is equipped with two Turbomeca Arriel 2E dual-channel engines with FADEC (full authority digital engine controls) and ensures greatly improved output in the event of a possible engine failure - as required by the latest airworthiness standards. Additionally, the new helicopter version features the Eurocopter-developed Fenestron shrouded tail rotor, which offers extra safety on the ground and in the air. A four-axis autopilot and a new avionics suite provide added support for pilots, enabling them to concentrate on the more demanding aspects of each mission.
Eurocopter's EC135 P2e being acquired by ADAC Air Rescue is an improved version of the popular EC135 twin-engine helicopter, with an increased maximum takeoff weight. Currently, there are more than 1,000 EC135s in service worldwide. These helicopters have earned their laurels as a search-and-rescue platform thanks to an outstanding safety record, low cost of ownership, and low noise levels. ADAC Air Rescue already operates 32 EC135s, which have logged a total of more than 100,000 flight hours.
The new EC135 P2e and EC145 T2 helicopters acquired by ADAC Air Rescue will be fitted with medical equipment and the communication tools needed for rescue operations. Sporting ADAC's classic yellow livery, they will be deployed as air ambulances for transporting intensive-care patients from one hospital to another, as well as in rescue missions - using a rescue hoist when necessary.
All of the helicopters are certified for instrument flight rules (IFR) operations, including certification for night vision goggles missions during nighttime and in low-light conditions.
The "yellow angels," as ADAC's helicopters are sometimes called, operate from more than 35 helicopter bases across Germany. Four of them operate in collaboration with neighboring countries, creating one of Europe's largest air rescue organizations. Rescue helicopters such as those operated by ADAC today also form an integral part of any mountain rescue service, giving them the means to rapidly repatriate injured persons from difficult-to-access places.
Visit Eurocopter at the ILA Berlin Air Show both in the HeliCenter (Hall 3, Booth 3636) and in the EADS Pavilion. For current news and pictures from the air show, go to: http://press.eurocopter.com
