JSfirm Member Press: News from Bell

Bell Helicopter has announced the sale of 16 206L4 LongRanger IV helicopters to Air Medical Group Holdings (AMGH), the largest independent provider of Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) in the world. The aircraft will be operated by AMGH subsidiary Air Evac Lifeteam with deliveries in 2012 and 2013. "All of us at Bell Helicopter are particularly proud of the association we enjoy with AMGH and Air Evac Lifeteam," said John L. Garrison, Bell Helicopter president and chief executive officer. "This order serves to confirm their continued faith and trust in Bell Helicopter as well as the LongRanger for the HEMS mission requirements. The 206L4 represents performance, affordability and value, and is, as always, backed by Bell’s industry leading customer support," said Larry D. Roberts, senior vice president Commercial Business. Air Evac Lifeteam is a West Plains, Missouri-based provider of air ambulance services to rural communities across 14 states. Air Evac Lifeteam operates the world’s largest fleet of over 100 medically-equipped Bell 206 LongRanger helicopters and has flown more than 220,000 people who were in critical need of care since its founding in 1985. Air Evac Lifeteam President and CEO Seth Myers said, "The purchase of these new aircraft will continue our overall fleet upgrade campaign and allow us to continue our mission of providing increased access to emergency healthcare to even more communities in rural America. The tremendous available up time of our fleet, is a true testament to the dependability and reliability of the 206 L aircraft. We appreciate the support Bell Helicopters has provided us over the years and look forward to continuing that partnership as we move forward." The 206L4 LongRanger IV provides a unique combination of power and range along with innovative doors and a spacious cabin that make the LongRanger IV ideal for the HEMS mission. The spacious cabin can be effectively modified to accommodate a broad range of medical equipment insuring the capability for efficient and comprehensive medical transportation Quick and easy patient loading and unloading is provided by a standard bi-fold door with a 61-inch (155 cm) opening. Superb visibility for difficult scene landings and more safety margin are provided by large cabin windows for medical attendants and wrap-around windows for pilots. The LongRanger IV offers improved safety features such as rupture-resistant fuel cells, upper body restraints, energy absorbing seats, collective mounted throttle, high altitude tail-rotor blades, and the best autorotation characteristics of any helicopter flying today. Bell Helicopter has announced that Air Methods Corporation, the largest provider of air medical transport services in the world, has signed an agreement to purchase fifteen (15) Bell 407s, one of the most successful single-engine turbine engine helicopters ever produced. All deliveries are planned for 2011. "Air Methods is widely recognized as one of the global leaders in the air-medical industry and we are extremely excited that they have placed their trust and faith back in Bell Helicopter and in the 407 as they continue their fleet modernization and replacement plan", said John L. Garrison, Bell Helicopter president and chief executive officer. Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, Air Methods provides air-medical services through both their Life-Net and Health-Net Divisions servicing 249 bases and providing Operator services to some the largest hospital systems in the US. Air Methods’ Products Division which designs manufactures and installs aircraft medial interiors and other aerospace or medical transport products will customize the 15 Bell 407s. "This is a great opportunity for Bell and you can be assured that every employee at Bell Helicopter understands the commitment and the level of performance that Air Methods expects from us and deserves," said Larry D. Roberts, senior vice president Commercial Business. "The 407’s service record and Bell Helicopter’s customer service recognized as the best by ProPilot and AIN remains unmatched in the industry and we look forward to the continuing opportunity to go on providing that level of service to Air Methods." Air Methods Corporation (NASDAQ: AIRM) is the largest provider of air medical emergency transport services and systems. The company is dedicated exclusively to air medical transport, focusing on the quality of care to patients, and safety in aviation operations. With 30 years of experience, the company transports more than 98,000 patients annually who require intensive medical care from either the scene of an accident or general care hospitals to highly skilled trauma centers or tertiary care centers. Air Methods operates a fleet of 320 helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft at 237 bases in 42 states. The Bell 407, a single-engine helicopter that seats seven in total, is used in a wide variety of civilian missions, from air ambulance and airborne law enforcement to corporate/VIP transport and offshore oil and gas support. Versions of the aircraft are used by military services around the world. Bell 407s are in service in 51 countries around the world. In June 2010, Bell Helicopter’s 407 reached a historic milestone when the company delivered the 1,000th 407 production aircraft. Bell Helicopter has announced that Mercy Flight of Western New York has signed an agreement to purchase the first of a potential three Bell 429s, the world’s newest helicopter, to replace its existing fleet of Eurocopter helicopters. “Bell Helicopter is extremely gratified to welcome Mercy Flight back to the Bell family,” said Larry D. Roberts, senior vice president Commercial Business. “Mercy Flight of Western New York began their business flying the Bell 206B – it is only fitting that after a lengthy evaluation process they made the decision to upgrade their existing fleet to the newest and most advanced light-twin helicopter in the world, the Bell 429.” “Bell’s industry leading customer support combined with all the advantages that the 429 brings to the table including the best IFR performance in the industry, expansive cabin volume and the MSG3 progressive maintenance concept represent a strong combination of features and benefits that clearly place the 429 as the best choice for the air ambulance mission,” said Roberts. Headquartered in Buffalo, New York, Mercy Flight of Western New York is an independent, not-for-profit provider of emergency air medical transport and supporting services, ensuring rapid, safe and cost effective delivery of expert emergency response teams. Established in 1981, Mercy Flight has flown more than 19,000 patient missions over the last 29+ years. They currently operate five helicopters and have crews ready to respond 24 hours a day, 7 days a week out of bases in Buffalo, Batavia and Olean. The first of the three twin-engine helicopters is expected to be in service in second quarter of 2011. “The Bell 429 is impressive and will help Mercy Flight improve our level of service,” said Douglas H. Baker, Founding President. “The improvement in speed and leading edge technology will make a big difference in our service delivery – especially when minutes matter between life and death.” “We are honored that Mercy Flight has placed their trust with Bell Helicopter. We work every day to make sure that Mercy Flight is fully supported to meet their mission of saving lives. Just as Bell began the air ambulance evacuation missions in Korea and the same model helicopter later served here at Mercy Flight, the 429 will continue the tradition of reliability, safety and service.” said Roberts. The 429 was certified in mid-2009 as a single-pilot instrument flight rules (SPIFR), Category A helicopter under the latest requirements of Part 27 airworthiness rules by Canadian, U.S. and European authorities. It is designed and built to more stringent airworthiness standards than any other light, twin-engine helicopter. The Bell 429 has the largest cabin in its class - providing unsurpassed headroom and ample legroom, with the front row of passenger cabin seats easily reconfigurable or effortlessly removed to convert from passenger to cargo service or any combination of the two. Optional rear clamshell doors provide an ingress and egress option into the largest cabin offered in a light twin. The uniquely designed clamshells are easily opened with one hand and “hug the fuselage” to provide a safe work zone at the rear of the 429 - making it efficient and effective for the EMS mission. The 429’s maintenance program is the only one in the helicopter industry that’s based on Maintenance Steering Group 3 (MSG-3) practices that are the foundation of airlines’ unprecedented reliability. The 429 is the first rotorcraft to have its maintenance program approved by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to these high standards. Bell Helicopter has announced at the 2010 Air Medical Transport Conference (AMTC) its continued support for MedEvac Foundation International. This donation reinforces the two entities’ dual commitment to supporting the advancement of air medical transport. Bell Helicopter’s $200,000 donation will help support MedEvac Foundation’s research, education, outreach and other charitable services, which enhance patient transport and critical-care services. “We want to thank Bell Helicopter for becoming our first Patron Circle donor,” said MedEvac Foundation International Chair Kevin Hutton, MD, FACEP. “Bell’s continued investment in MedEvac Foundation demonstrates their ongoing commitment to supporting the research, safety and educational mission of the Foundation and its partner, the Association of Air Medical Services.” Bell Helicopter is an industry leading manufacturer of commercial and military helicopters and tilt-rotor aircraft. Recognized for its best-in-class customer support, innovation and superior quality, Bell designs, builds and supports some of the world’s most innovative rotorcraft platforms, including the industry’s newest light twin-engine helicopter, the Bell 429. “MedEvac Foundation plays a critical role in providing the entire air medical and critical care-transport community with the resources, support and guidance that result in more efficient, high-quality patient care,” said Bell Helicopter Senior Vice President, Commercial Business Larry D. Roberts. “We are honored to be a part of this community and look forward to working with MedEvac Foundation to promote safety in HEMS.” “At Bell Helicopter, we recognize the important service being provided by the air-medical transport community. On behalf of the more than 10,000 men and women of Bell, I would like to thank the MedEvac Foundation for its service, and pledge our continued support for your mission,” said Roberts. About MedEvac Foundation International MedEvac Foundation International is the first organization of its kind to engage, mobilize and empower people and organizations to make a difference in medical transport worldwide. Through research, education, outreach, and charitable services, it seeks to improve the safety, quality and delivery of medical transportation for patients everywhere. About Bell Helicopter Bell Helicopter, a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tiltrotor aircraft. Globally recognized for world-class customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell’s global workforce serves customers flying Bell aircraft in more than 120 countries. About Textron Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron in known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, and Textron Systems.