Intermountain Healthcare has ordered three GrandNew light twin helicopters from AgustaWestland (stand 7020) and taken options on two.
The aircraft, which will be equipped to provide in-flight patient care, are to be operated by Intermountain Life Flight, Intermountain Healthcare's aviation division.
Two AgustaWestland A109K2 helicopters are already in service with Intermountain, performing medevac missions in Utah and northern Nevada.
Each of Intermountain's GrandNews will be equipped with an emergency medical systems interior featuring single or dual stretchers in addition to a rescue hoist, wire strike protection, snow skis and night-vision goggle compatibility.
The helicopters will be completed and delivered at AgustaWestland's Philadelphia, Pennsylvania production facility.
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The GrandNew has a range of systems intended to ensure full terrain and obstacle awareness in low-visibility flying conditions. More than 50 units of the type have been ordered. Deliveries will start this summer, with Vinair of Portugal serving as the first European customer.
Globally, 12 GrandNews are to be delivered by the end of the year, including four to customers in Europe. Additionally, Swiss search and rescue services provider Rega will have 11 Da Vinci helicopters in service this year. The Da Vinci is a highly customised GrandNew variant.
The GrandNew has already received European Aviation Safety Agency certification. Finmeccanica-owned AgustaWestland expects the type to gain FAA certification "soon".
The light twin is being marketed for use in a range of applications, including corporate/VIP transport, offshore transport, passenger transport, emergency medical services, search and rescue operations, harbour pilot shuttles and coastal patrol.
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Source: Flight Daily News
