News
Bell notes service of four 407GXs for DFW CareFlite
April 29, 2014 By Carey Fredericks
April 29, 2014, Fort Worth, Tx. - Bell Helicopter has announced the CareFlite, a nonprofit 501(c) 3 corporation providing fully integrated medical transport across North Texas, is now fielding four Bell 407GX helicopters, with two aircraft currently in the field and others preparing to enter service later this year.
These aircraft will transport ill or injured patients to critical care facilities and one will be based out of Granbury Municipal Airport while the other will originate from Harris Methodist Fort Worth.
“The Bell 407GX is an ideal aircraft for transporting critical care patients,” said James Swartz, president and CEO of CareFlite. “We chose it because of its proven reliability and performance combined with an advanced avionics suite and factory installed autopilot.”
Established in 1979, CareFlite is the oldest joint-use air medical transportation service in the nation, and the second oldest in Texas. CareFlite operates six helicopter bases – Harris Methodist Fort Worth Hospital, Methodist Dallas Medical Center, Denton Regional Hospital, the Frisco Fire Department, the Granbury Municipal Airport and Lake Whitney Medical Center – to serve more than 100 counties within a 150-mile radius of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Over the last 35 years, CareFlite has airlifted more than 75,000 patients and flown more than 82,000 flight hours. In addition to these air-based services, CareFlite also operates 65 ambulances in the region to support ground programs for non-emergency and 911 situations.
“We’re honoured to be a valued partner with CareFlite and look forward to continuing to provide them with the excellent service and safe, reliable, high-performance aircraft they have come to expect from Bell Helicopter,” said Anthony Moreland, Bell Helicopter’s managing director of North American sales.
Flexible and easily configured for critical care operations, the Bell 407GX delivers power and speed with a smooth, quiet ride and a spacious cabin that accommodates six passengers. In a medical air ambulance configuration, it can carry two critical care medical personnel to provide care for one patient. These first responders are able to transport critical care patients quickly and safely in the large 85 ft³ cabin, featuring a bi-fold door opening to 61-inches that allows for quick and easy patient loading and unloading.
