STAT MedEvac Orders 16th EC135

STAT MedEvac of West Mifflin continues to expand its fleet of American Eurocopter EC135 helicopters, converting one of three existing options to a firm order. The company has now ordered a total of 16 EC135s, with the new aircraft to be delivered in 2010.
STAT MedEvac was the first air medical provider to operate the EC135 in the U.S. Today, STAT MedEvac operates 15 EC135s and six EC145s. "The EC135 and EC145s are well suited for the air medical mission, and provide us with a highly efficient and effective fleet," said Doug Garretson, president and chief executive officer of STAT MedEvac. "The digital autopilot system and other safety enhancements continue to be important considerations in selecting American Eurocopter products." The STAT MedEvac fleet is equipped with a number of advanced technologies that underscore the operation's commitment to safe flight. The EC135 exceeds all of the recommendations in the National Transportation Safety Board's comprehensive report on HEMS safety.
The safety technologies include IFR capability, Night Vision Goggles for pilots and crew, Traffic Collision Avoidance System, Color Weather Radar, and Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning Systems. In their latest EC135, which was delivered in September, STAT MedEvac also had cockpit voice and data recording installed.