HealthNet Aeromedical Services, headquartered in Charleston, West Virginia, will soon expand its all-Airbus fleet with the addition of four H135 helicopters. As one of the largest hospital-based air medical programmes in the country, the helicopters will be used to serve adult, paediatric and neonatal patients across the state of West Virginia.
Airbus' light, twin-engine H135 incorporates the most advanced technologies available, including Airbus Helicopters‘ Helionix avionics suite, which, in addition to the four-axis autopilot, offers an innovative cockpit layout to enhance situational awareness. Designed with three large electronic displays, the H135's cockpit is night vision goggle compatible and includes a ‘First Limit Indicator', which highlights the appropriate engine instrument data for the pilot in one indicator.
HealthNet has exclusively operated Airbus helicopters since the programme's inception nearly four decades ago, caring for more than 100,000 patients during that time. Its current fleet of eleven aircraft is comprised of H130, H135 and EC145 helicopters.
The H135 helicopter combines a wide, unobstructed cabin with excellent performance, range and payload capacity, as well as low sound levels. The oversized sliding side doors and rear clamshell doors enable fast loading/unloading of patients, with additional safety during ground operations provided by Airbus' signature shrouded Fenestron tail rotor.
