American Eurocopter will provide three new helicopters to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC. The EC135s are to be delivered this fall and will subsequently be customized to meet the specific needs of the MedCenter Air program at Carolinas Medical Center.

As they enter service, the new EC135s will replace an existing fleet of helicopters. The aircraft will serve North and South Carolina, providing 24/7 coverage from three separate bases.

Jason Schwebach, administrative director for MedCenter Air, said "the EC135 meets our scope of service and mission-profile from both an aviation and healthcare perspective to better serve our community and state. These new aircraft will have the latest in medical and aviation technology to include: ground and traffic collision avoidance, NVG's, satellite tracking, environmental control, and all current and proposed state and federal safety recommendations".

The twin-engine EC135 is used extensively by air medical operators, accounting for 60 percent of all twin-engine air medical services deliveries over the past decade.

MedCenter Air is a leader in the industry and its fleet includes helicopters, fixed wings and critical care ground ambulances. MedCenter Air is available to all medical facilities, EMS services, insurance companies, managed-care organizations and members of the public.