Avincis signs deal for ten Eurocopter EC145 T2 helicopters

UK-based aerial services provider Avincis has entered into a global framework agreement with Eurocopter for the purchase of ten EC145 T2 helicopters for emergency medical service (EMS) operations.

The agreement was announced at the Heli Expo 2013 event, which was held from 5 to 7 March in Las Vegas, Nevada, US.

The deal covers after market support and training, as well as the purchase of aircraft for use by Avincis’ operating companies across the world.

Three of the new rotocraft will be used to provide EMS mission services in the UK, while the remaining have been earmarked for use in western Europe.

Avincis is expected to take the delivery of initial aircraft in the first half of 2014.

The new additions will expand Avincis’ fleet of 350 helicopters.

Avincis chief executive officer James Drummond said: "As a mission-critical services business, Avincis needs to ensure we have the right fleet to enable us to react quickly, handle any emergency and go wherever our customers need us."

Eurocopter president and CEO Lutz Bertling said this agreement was the latest in a four-decade relationship with the Avincis group.

"The EC145 T2’s operational capabilities will be available to an even broader segment of the global EMS community," Bertling added.

Suitable for demanding mission requirements, the EC145 T2 is the newest 4t category twin-engine helicopter and is an evolved version of Eurocopter’s twin-engine EC145 rotorcraft.

Powered by the new Arriel 2E engines, the EC145 T2 features Fenestron shrouded tail rotor, upgraded main and tail rotor gear boxes, a new digital avionics suite and a four-axis autopilot.

Avincis is a provider of aerial services for mission-critical operations such as medical emergency, civil protection, search-and-rescue, coast and city surveillance, fire-fighting and energy support services.

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Image: The easy cabin access from all sides makes the EC 145 well suited for emergency services (EMS) applications. Photo: file image.