Life Link III

All posts tagged Life Link III

AMTC 2021: Leonardo grows stronger in the US EMS helicopter market with two new contracts for AW119Kx and AW169.

Posted by dgualdo on 05/11/2021
Posted in: HEMS / SAR, Leonardo Helicopters NEWS, World Helicopter NEWS. Tagged: , , , , , , , .

PRESS RELEASE – Fort Worth, Texas – 3 November 2021

At AMTC 2021 (Air Medical Transport Conference) Leonardo has announced a further expansion of its presence in the US emergency medical service (EMS) market with new contracts.

These latest sales continue to grow the share of Leonardo helicopters in the North American EMS market, which now totals over 100 across a fleet of AW119s, AW109s, AW169s and AW139s. Globally, there are over 650 Leonardo search and rescue and emergency medical service helicopters saving lives every day in more than 50 countries. Contracts announced at AMTC include two further instrument flight rules (IFR) AW119Kxs single engine and one AW169 light intermediate helicopter for Life Link III and one AW169 for Intermountain Life Flight. 

Life Link III’s aircraft will deliver emergency medical services to patients in Minnesota and Wisconsin. This operator is the first commercial EMS Part 135 one in the United States to fly single engine, IFR-capable AW119Kx. These aircraft join their current fleet of ten AW119Kx VFR (Visual Flight Rules) aircraft. The latest AW119Kx IFR and the AW169 are expected to be delivered in 2022. 

The IFR-capable AW119Kx allows pilots to operate aircraft safely in the challenging weather conditions of this region. The AW119Kx is an ideal entry point for commercial and public service operators who seek this kind of high-level performance in Instrument Meteorological Weather (IMC) conditions, while still keeping single engine economics, in addition to the AW119Kx’s unique, light-twin multiple redundancies of critical systems and cabin space, safety and reliability. The AW119Kx is the first single engine provided with full IFR capabilities in decades and its success is growing among EMS operators in USA. 

The AW169 features a spacious, 222 cubic foot cabin, similar in size to models in the intermediate weight category – with flexible interior layouts, allowing with 360-degree patient access essential for critical care. d. In addition, the aircraft has Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) mode, allowing the cabin to stay “powered on” even with stopped rotors. This creates a safe, quiet and comfortable environment that can maintain heat and air conditioning, as needed. The presence of the AW169 in the US EMS market is growing among several operators in various States. 

To date, around 360 AW119s and 250 AW169s have been sold to customers across the globe to perform a wide range of roles, including EMS, fire-fighting, law enforcement, passenger transport, offshore transport, training and government/military duties. 

“Safety is at the heart of everything we do. The addition of the AW119Kx IFR and AW169 support our transition to utilizing instrument flight rules for patient transports and strengthen our fleet with new state of the air aircraft and enhanced capabilities,” said Greg Thingvold, Vice President of Aviation Operations at Life Link III. “Our new aircraft allows us to continue to respond to the ever-evolving needs of our patients while ensuring the highest margin of safety for our crews and those we serve.” 

“It is especially rewarding when we can help an existing customer add to their fleet with an even more capable aircraft,” said Bill Hunt Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters U.S..“It tells us that our product is servicing their patients with the kind of excellence such a stellar operation demands.” 

Life Link III operates ten helicopter bases that include Alexandria, Blaine, Brainerd, Duluth, Hibbing, Rush City, and Willmar in Minnesota, and Marshfield, Rhinelander, and Rice Lake in Wisconsin. The company plans to open its eleventh helicopter base in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota in spring 2022. The company’s helicopter and airplane services provide on-scene emergency response and inter-facility transport for patients requiring critical care. Life Link III’s transportation services are accredited by CAMTS (Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transportation Systems), ensuring the highest standards of quality and safety are met. Life Link III is a non-profit consortium made up of the following member-owner organizations: Allina Health, CentraCare Health, Children’s Minnesota, Essentia Health, M Health Fairview, Regions Hospital/HealthPartners®, Hennepin Healthcare, Marshfield Clinic Health System, St. Luke’s, and HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital/St. Joseph’s. Learn more at www.lifelinkiii.com. 

Intermountain Life Flight (Intermountain Healthcare) has signed a contract for the first Full Ice Protection (FIPS) AW169 in North America, with delivery anticipated in late 2024. This new aircraft will significantly impact patient care, allowing in-flight critical care and transport of patients in even the harshest of winter conditions and will be the first helicopter in this category with this capability flying in North America. 

FIPS capabilities allow the aircraft to operate in full icing conditions when other helicopters would be grounded. The system heats windshield and blades to prevent ice accretion and allows for an automatic detection and activation delivering unparalleled mission capabilities in demanding environments and extreme weather and outstanding safety. The adoption of FIPS for the AW169 leverages the established capability of Leonardo across the AWFamily of latest generation helicopters including the AW139 and AW189 which leverage on-customer-demand ice protection system options for a range of roles including rescue and already used across various geographies. 

“We are excited to add this aircraft to our Intermountain Life Flight fleet,” said Kent Johnson, Director of Aviation Operations for Intermountain Life Flight, which is based in Salt Lake City. “The performance and safety features of this aircraft are outstanding and will serve us well in our environment and terrain.” 

“This is a significant milestone for Intermountain Healthcare and the communities it serves across the Intermountain West,” said Bill Hunt, Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters in US. “Full Ice Protection allows for more and safer flights, while ensuring even those in more remote areas can be served during the winter months. We are incredibly proud to partner with Intermountain Healthcare.” 

With more range and power than competing helicopters in its category, the AW169 can travel up to 440 nautical miles, top speed at 160 knots and climb to 14,500 feet. Latest generation avionics include a four-axis, dual complex digital automation flight control system, a full night vision goggle (NVG) compatible digital glass cockpit with three 8-inch by 10-inch displays. Several rescue operators have already chosen the AW169 for life-saving missions worldwide in many countries such as Italy, UK, USA, Norway, Switzerland, Japan, to name a few. Crews and maintenance technicians in US will benefit from comprehensive and advanced training solutions, digitalized services and simulation delivered for the AW169 through the new Training Academy in Philadelphia. 

Located in Utah, Idaho, and Nevada, Intermountain Healthcare is a nonprofit system of 25 hospitals, 225 clinics, the Intermountain Medical Group with 2,700 employed physicians and advanced care practitioners, a health plans division called SelectHealth, Homecare, and other health services. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes and sustainable costs.

Leonardo: US EMS operator Life Link III grows its fleet of helicopters to 14 aircraft.

Posted by dgualdo on 08/11/2020
Posted in: HEMS / SAR, Leonardo Helicopters NEWS, World Helicopter NEWS. Tagged: , , , , , .

PRESS RELEASE – 05 November 2020

  • Two more helicopters ordered by this operator and the order also marks the entry of the AW109 Trekker in the US for EMS and the growing success of the AW169 in this market
  • The helicopters will conduct vital air medical transport missions across Minnesota and Wisconsin in the United States and will be delivered in 2021
  • The AW169 and AW109 Trekker meet the most stringent safety standards and are configured to support Life Link III crews undertake in-flight critical care and transport patients

Leonardo announced today that Life Link III, an EMS operator in Minnesota and Wisconsin in the United States, has signed a contract for an AW169 and an AW109 Trekker for air medical transport missions.

The helicopters will ensure in-flight critical care and transport patients across the upper-Midwest of the country and delivery is anticipated to take place in the fourth quarter of 2021. This order marks the entry of the AW109 Trekker into the US for EMS applications and further grows the success of the AW169 in this market.
The AW169 features a spacious 222 cubic ft. cabin and Life Link III will have a FAA certified EMS interior which provides 360-degree patient access essential for critical care. The helicopter can travel up to 440 nautical miles, with a top speed of 160 knots and it can climb to 14,500 feet.
The Trekker has high-end EMS capabilities in terms of its interior, performance, advanced avionics, and safety standards. The twin-engine helicopter is equipped with Night Vision Goggles (NVG), single-pilot instrument flight rules, and a customised interior built to meet Life Link III’s requirements.

This sale will increase Life Link III’s Leonardo helicopters fleet to 14 aircraft and the company will be the first to operate a mixed fleet of AW119 IFR and AW109 Trekker. These aircraft feature the same core avionics which deliver unique advantages in terms of fleet management, training, safety, and support. The EMS operator’s existing fleet comprises of ten AW119Kx which have accrued more than 21,000 flight hours. In addition, in July of this year, Life Link III signed for the first IFR-certified AW119 in the civil market – this aircraft will enable the company to undertake safer operations in challenging weather conditions. The helicopter is expected to be delivered in the third quarter of 2021.

Lee McCammon, Vice President of Operations at Life Link III, commented: “The addition of the AW109 Trekker and AW169 will return Life Link III to instrument flight capability and further enhance our ability to deliver safe, fast, and reliable air medical transportation to the communities we serve. Our strong relationship with Leonardo supports our commitment to utilizing advanced technology to complete life-saving missions.”
William Hunt, Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters in Philadelphia, said: “We are pleased to once again be supporting the vital life-saving missions of our long-standing partner, Life Link III. The AW109 Trekker and AW169 will be great additions to the EMS operator’s fleet and both aircraft with their high-tech capabilities will enable Life Link III to conduct its operations safely and quickly.”

This latest sale represents the growing share of Leonardo’s helicopters in the North American EMS market, which now totals more than 110 across a fleet of AW119s, AW109s, AW169s and AW139s. Leonardo is committed to serving and protecting communities around the world, contributing to their sustainable growth by leading in next generation technologies. Partnering with Governments, private organizations and industries for the best security and safety capabilities is a cornerstone of Leonardo’s BeTomorrow2030 Strategic Plan.

Nearly 240 orders for AW169s have been placed by countries including Italy, the UK, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and the United States. To date over 70 AW109 Trekkers have been sold to customers worldwide for a range of roles and over 1,500 AW109 series units have been sold globally for the widest scope of missions.

Leonardo: US EMS Operator contracts for first IFR-certified AW119 in the civil market allowing safer operations in challenging weather conditions.

Posted by dgualdo on 07/07/2020
Posted in: Leonardo Helicopters NEWS, World Helicopter NEWS. Tagged: , , , , .
  • Life Link III signed a contract for one helicopter with delivery in 3Q2021, adding to an existing fleet of ten AW119Kx
  • The world’s first fully FAA IFR-certified single engine in decades, the type allows safe operations in low visibility and challenging weather conditions combined with high performance and cabin space while keeping single engine economics
  • Over 350 AW119s sold to more than 130 customers in 40 countries to date to perform a wide range of roles including EMS, utility, fire-fighting, law enforcement, passenger transport, training and government/military duties

PRESS RELEASE – Rome, 7 July 2020

Leonardo announced today that the EMS operator Life Link III, based in the upper-midwest United States, has placed an order for one IFR-certified AW119 single engine helicopter with a future option for a second aircraft.

The aircraft will be added to an existing fleet of ten AW119Kx helicopters delivering in-flight critical care and transporting patients in Minnesota and Wisconsin with over 21,000 total flight hours amassed. Delivery from the AW119 final assembly line in Philadelphia is expected in the third quarter of 2021.

The contract marks the first sale for the FAA certified IFR capable AW119 in the civil market and for emergency medical service roles. The type is the first single engine helicopter in decades to fully meet current IFR requirements without compromise, allowing pilots to operate the aircraft safely in low visibility and challenging weather conditions, thanks to advanced avionics by Genesys Aerosystems and redundant flight systems. The IFR-capable AW119 adds one more option and an ideal IFR entry point for commercial and public service operators who seek for the highest level of safety and performance in demanding conditions while keeping single engine economics. This combines with the AW119’s unique light-twin like multiple redundancies of critical systems and cabin space delivering outstanding reliability and safety.

Steve Sterner, Chief Executive Officer of Life Link III, shared: “Our decision to become the first civilian user of the IFR-certified AW119 fully supports our mission of providing safe and effective air medical transport. The advanced avionics and technology on this aircraft elevate our ability to provide life-saving critical care resources to those in need. With high degrees of performance, safety, speed and efficiency, this aircraft is well-suited to meet the needs of our crew members and patients.”

William Hunt, Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters in Philadelphia, said: “We are proud to introduce the IFR-certified variant of the AW119 to the civilian market and to do so with an incredible partner like Life Link III. This aircraft’s advanced technology and dual flight systems will ensure that our first responders are able to fly safely in challenging weather conditions while providing the same accessible, efficient cabin configuration for patient treatment and transport that the AW119 is known for.”

The AW119 has met high standards of operational requirements and mission effectiveness – including NVG capability – since the first aircraft was delivered to Life Link III in early 2014. Life Link III’s IFR AW119 will feature a special cabin interior with an articulated patient loading system, ensuring full patient body access for two medical professionals on board. This latest sale represents the growing share of Leonardo’s helicopters in the North American EMS market, which now totals more than 113 across a fleet of AW119s, AW109s, AW169s and AW139s.