METRO DELIVERS TWO EC135 AIRCRAFT TO MERCY LIFE LINE

April 8, 2014

Metro Aviation recently delivered the last two of five EC135’s to Mercy Life Line in Springfield, Missouri. Mercy’s transition to all EC135P2+ Single Pilot IFR (SPIFR) aircraft began in 2012 with the delivery of three aircraft. With the addition of the final EC135’s, Mercy opened new bases in Joplin, MO and Rogers, AR.

The five-base operation has provided safe, rapid air transport since 1984 and has partnered with Metro Aviation since 2001. “We share a common vision and mission, and there is never a time when I can’t pick up the phone and talk to the number one guy,” said Mercy Director DJ Satterfield. “It is nice knowing we work with a company that wants us to succeed just as much as we do and we could not be happier with our completions.”

The EC135’s have enhanced safety features including autopilot, Helicopter Terrain Awareness Warning Systems (HTAWS), Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS), on-board weather radar and Night Vision Goggles (NVG).

“Mercy is a leader in our industry, and so is Metro Aviation. Our partnership just makes sense,” said Mercy Director DJ Satterfield. “Metro is a traditional operator and we are a hospital-based program. They know our needs and wants, and our partnership allows us both to exceed and be the safest program we can be while at the same time leveraging new technologies and maintaining our commitment to patient care.”

Before integrating the new aircraft, Mercy had a mixed fleet of EC135’s and a BO105. As they transition to an IFR infrastructure, they are utilizing twelve WAAS GPS approaches.