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Boston MedFlight orders its first five-bladed H145
March 17, 2022 By Helicopters Staff
Boston MedFlight also plans to retrofit its current fleet to the five-bladed variant in the next year. (Photo: Airbus) Boston MedFlight signed an order for its first five-bladed H145 helicopter as part of a fleet renewal and expansion project to support an increased need for critical care transportation in New England.
“The H145 has been a proven and efficient platform for us to carry out critical life-saving flights when time is of the essence, and we look forward to improving and expanding our capabilities with the addition of the newest H145 variant to our fleet,” said Boston MedFlight CEO Maura Hughes.
Boston MedFlight is the region’s primary provider of critical care and medical transport, caring for more than 5,600 patients annually, including the most critically ill and injured infants, children and adults. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Boston MedFlight provides more than $7 million each year in free and unreimbursed care to patients in need who have little or no insurance. Its current Airbus fleet of five H145 helicopters serve as mobile ICUs, staffed by a critical care nurse and critical care paramedic.
The purchase of the new five-bladed H145 is part of an ongoing fleet renewal and expansion program to meet increased demand for critical care transport in the Boston area, where they have been saving lives for nearly 40 years. Boston MedFlight also plans to retrofit its current fleet to the five-bladed variant in the next year.
“Boston MedFlight will be the first air medical operator in the U.S. to take delivery of a new five-bladed H145, and we are extremely proud to support the essential, life-saving work that they carry out every day,” said Romain Trapp, President of Airbus Helicopters, Inc. and head of the North America region.
This latest upgrade of the multi-mission H145 adds a new five-bladed rotor system, increasing the useful load of the helicopter by 330 lbs. (150 kg), simplifying maintenance operations, and improving ride comfort for both passengers and crew. Powered by two Safran Arriel 2E engines, the H145 is equipped with full authority digital engine control (FADEC) and Airbus’ Helionix digital avionics suite.
