Devon Air Ambulance adds second Eurocopter EC135 to its helicopter fleet doubling emergency medical airlift capabilities throughout UK

Devon Air Ambulance has added a second Eurocopter EC135 to its helicopter fleet, enhancing the service provider’s own airlift capabilities and further fostering the market presence of this rotorcraft type in medical missions throughout the United Kingdom.

04-9-2013 — /EuropaWire/ — The EC135 P2i version of Eurocopter’s twin-engine workhorse helicopter family was delivered by the Eurocopter UK subsidiary, and performed a five-day tour through Devon – thanking the public for funds raised in line with the country’s guiding principle to use private donations in financing air ambulances within the emergency medical service system.

It joins an EC135 T2 previously acquired by the Devon Air Ambulance Trust – both of which are fully owned by the Exeter-based charity.

“Our new helicopter is a very special air ambulance with many tailored design features that were only made possible by the superb collaboration and understanding between our staff and Eurocopter,” said Heléna Holt, the Devon Air Ambulance Trust’s Chief Executive. “Owning both our helicopters is the culmination of many years of planning and fundraising, but it has all been very worthwhile – as we are not only saving considerable sums of money, but are able to continue improving our service to the people of Devon.”

Eurocopter EC135s perform more than 15,000 missions annually with critically ill patients across the U.K., being the helicopter of choice for the country’s emergency air medical services. The EC135 P2i version acquired by the Devon Air Ambulance Trust incorporate enhancements that include software and hardware upgrades, with improvements in payload and performance capabilities.

“The Devon Air Ambulance Trust represents the trend among U.K. emergency medical services operators in changing over from leasing solutions to the more cost-effective ownership business model,” explained Markus Steinke, the Managing Director of Eurocopter UK. “Using our Britian’s helicopter hub in Oxford, we are is ready to accompany all of our customers’ evolving business models with innovative solutions.”

Overall, Eurocopter has a 65 percent share of the United Kingdom’s helicopter emergency medical services fleet.

About Eurocopter UK Ltd.
Eurocopter UK Ltd, Britain’s civil helicopter hub, and its predecessors have been present and highly active in the United Kingdom for over 30 years, dominating the civil rotary-wing sector. Its contribution to the aerospace sector of the national economy includes the development of police aviation leading to a 75% market share, air ambulances (65% share), and well over 50% of the offshore oil and gas market. Eurocopter UK Ltd is headquartered in Oxford, with additional bases in Dublin (Ireland), Belfast (Northern Ireland), Hawarden (Wales) and Aberdeen (Scotland) and provides the full range of products and services for the rotary-wing sector, including prime contractor of the Royal Air Force Puma Mk2 program. Some 450 Eurocopter helicopters form the biggest part of the UK’s helicopter fleet and the backbone of vital national infrastructure such as 100 helicopters serving the UK Ministry of Defence for transport, training and high end operational missions. Eurocopter enjoys a reputation for innovation, high quality and a strong customer service ethos. To date, Eurocopter UK Ltd has exported helicopter High-Tech solutions to 23 nations on all continents. The Eurocopter group employs more than 1,600 people across the British Isles.

About Eurocopter
Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace and defense-related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approximately 22,000 people. In 2012, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 6.3 billion Euros, orders for 469 new helicopters and a 44 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s helicopters account for 33 percent of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. Eurocopter’s strong international presence is ensured by its subsidiaries and participations in 21 countries. Eurocopter’s worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents supports more than 2,900 customers. There are currently more than 11,780 Eurocopter helicopters in service in 148 countries. Eurocopter offers the most comprehensive civil and military helicopter range in the world and is fully committed to safety as the most important aspect of its business.

For more information, please contact:

Stéphane CHERY
Head of International Media Relations
Eurocopter
Tel.:+33 4 42 85 60 51
Fax:+33 4 42 85 89 70

Pascale FLEURY
Media Relations France, Eastern and Central Europe, Middle East & Africa
Eurocopter
Tel.:+33 4 42 85 62 38
Fax:+33 4 42 85 89 70
Cell:+33 6 32 54 05 02

Gloria ILLAS
Media Relations Latin America & Southern Europe
Eurocopter
Tel.:+33 4 42 85 58 89
Fax:+33 4 42 85 89 70

Christoph MÜLLER
Head of Communications, Eurocopter Germany
Eurocopter
Tel.:+49 906 71 57 39
Fax:+49 906 71 39 39

Priscilla YIP
External Communications Asia Pacific
Eurocopter
Tel.:+ 65 6 59 27 217
Fax:+ 65 6 65 90 872

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© Eurocopter UK / Photographer Geoff Bakewell