SOS Helicopter of Sweden orders first EC 145 in the Scandinavian Market
SOS Helicopter Gotland AB, an EMS operator based on the Swedish island of Gotland, is the first Scandinavian operator to have ordered an EC 145. The contract was signed on February 1st, delivery will take place in October 2005.
Marignane, 08 February 2005
Sweden is a country which has been using helicopters for rescue and air ambulance services for more than half a century. EMS services on the island of Gotland, located in the Baltic Sea at a fair distance from the Scandinavian mainland, were launched in 1972 with a cooperation between the nation’s Health Care Authority and the Swedish Armed Forces on the island, whereby anesthetists accompanied SAR sorties to winch up seriously injured people from sailing vessels. In return, the Armed Forces assisted the Health Care Authority with the transport of intensive care patients over the Baltic Sea to the Swedish mainland.
The establishment of the Foundation of the SOS Helicopter on the island of Gotland in 1987 enabled the lease of a BO 105 CB to fly air ambulance missions between the island and specialist hospitals on the mainland. In 1991, a BO 105 CBS was purchased; later on, a BK 117. Flying out of Visby, the island’s capital, almost 300 return transport missions are flown each year to and from specialist hospitals on the mainland, as well as providing EMS services in the rural areas of the island. SOS Helicopter Gotland also provides incubator transports and more critical intensive care missions.
Eurocopter is proud to be adding this renowned and experienced Swedish operator to the growing number of EMS operators worldwide opting for the EC 145.
The Single-Pilot-IFR-certified EC 145 features a night-vision goggle compatible, digital glass cockpit with multi-function displays, largely reducing pilot's workload and facilitating day-and-night operations. The aircraft's forward cabin (cockpit) is almost identical to that of the EC 135, thus continuing Eurocopter's cockpit design policy offering a maximum of commonality and man-machine interface as well as providing excellent visibility. The EC 145 is also certified for CAT A operations, including sand filter.
Eurocopter is a wholly-owned subsidiary of EADS. EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defense and related services. In 2003, EADS generated revenues of € 30.1 billion and employed a workforce of about 109,000. The EADS Group includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world's largest helicopter supplier Eurocopter and the joint venture MBDA, the second-largest missile producer in the global market. EADS is the major partner in the Eurofighter consortium, is the prime contractor for the Ariane launcher, develops the A400M military transport aircraft and is the largest industrial partner for the European satellite navigation system Galileo.
For further information, please contact:
| Jean-Louis ESPES | Eurocopter Aéroport International Marseille Provence 13725 Marignane Cedex – France |
Tel.: + 33 (0) 4 42 85 95 55 Fax: + 33 (0) 4 42 85 95 64 |
| Christina GOTZHEIN | Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH D-81663 Munich - Germany |
Tel.: + 49 (0) 89 60 00 64 88 Fax: + 49 (0) 89 60 00 44 37 |
| Eduardo CONSEJO | Eurocopter España, S.A. Carretera Barrio de la Fortuna, 10 28044 Cuatro Vientos, Madrid-Spain |
Tel.: + 34 91 511 04 70 Fax: + 34 91 511 04 69 |
| www.eurocopter.com |
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