Leonardo announced during the Air Medical Transport Conference (AMTC, 4-6 November) in Atlanta that the first aid operator of the State of Utah, Intermountain Healthcare, will add a sixth AW109 GrandNew light twin-engine helicopter to its fleet as part of its Life Flight Health Rescue Program. It is the leading provider of rescue services in its territory and one of the largest in the United States. The operator currently employs five AW109 GrandNews and one AW109 K2, and is the only one in Utah to carry out IFR (instrument flight) rescue missions with adequate approach procedures to related infrastructures and heliports.
An integral part of the territory's non-profit health system, Intermountain Life Flight carries out 4.000 patient transports per year and operates seven bases at state hospitals with highly specialized first aid services. Intermountain Life Flight is the only helicopter rescue program managed by a civilian operator in the United States that can provide for the use of a recovery winch according to the rules defined by the FAA - Federal Aviation Administration, used for mountain rescue in favorable weather conditions. Intermountain Life Flight has been operational since July 5, 1978, making it the seventh air ambulance program in the US. Over the past 40 years, more than 108.000 patients have been transported, flying over 15 million miles and carrying out over 400 rescue winch rescues.
Note for editors on the AW109 GrandNew
The exceptional performance of the GrandNew in terms of speed and range, its large cabin for easy access, high safety standards and its modern avionics make this light twin-engine helicopter ideal for first aid missions (EMS - Emergency Medical Service). With a top speed of over 300 km / h, a large and versatile cabin capable of accommodating a combination of 1-2 stretchers plus medical personnel, the GrandNew can reach the patient and transport him quickly to the nearest available hospital. State-of-the-art avionics include an advanced autopilot, anti-collision systems and to improve visibility at night or in the presence of smoke, smog and fog ensuring maximum flight safety and reducing the workload of the crew who can then concentrate on the mission. Over 390 Grand / GrandNew series helicopters have been ordered by more than 240 customers in over 40 countries around the world for rescue, passenger transport, public order, offshore transport, publishing support, maritime patrol and environmental monitoring.