ORLANDO - Bell Helicopter has reached an agreement for the sale of 200 Bell 407GXPs configured for Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) with Air Methods Corp, the largest provider of air medical transport services in the world. This order marks one of the largest commercial sales in Bell Helicopter’s history. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2016 with a 10 year contract.
Air Methods began with a single Bell 206 helicopter in 1980 in Colorado. It has since grown to have more than 300 bases of operations that serve 48 states. Air Methods provides air medical transportation for hospitals and communities nationwide and operates eight maintenance centers.
All of the Bell 407GXPs will be equipped with United Rotorcraft emergency medical services interior, designed with air critical care operators in mind. The adaptable interior can accommodate a single patient or specialty transport, and includes the Articulating Loading System for easy patient loading. The United Rotorcraft interior also provides integrated medical systems such as medical oxygen, suction, air, storage, electrical power, and approved provisions for securing medical support equipment during all aspects of flight.
Derived from the Bell 407GX platform, the Bell 407GXP has an additional 50 lbs (22.5 kg) of payload capability, coupled with the new M250 Rolls-Royce engine that improves performance and fuel efficiency. The aircraft is also equipped with new avionics features such as a hover performance calculator improvement, as well as a transmission TBO extension of +500 hours that will lower maintenance costs.