Australia’s Queensland Ambulance Service is seeking to acquire three new twin-engine turbine helicopters to replace its fleet of Bell 412s.
Commissioner Jim Higgins says the Queensland government has approved the acquisition and the service aims to sign a contract in the current fiscal year, which ends next June. Industry sources expect the tender to generate offers for the Bell/Agusta AB139, Bell 412, Eurocopter EC135 or EC155 and Sikorsky S-76.
Last week the service introduced its first EC135, which is being operated by a contractor in the Torres Strait in north-east Australia, replacing a Eurocopter Squirrel. The upgrade to an instrument-flight-rules twin is designed to improve the safety of aeromedical evacuations in the far north-east of Australia. The three 412 replacements will be based in Brisbane, Cairns and Townsville.
Source: Flight International
