Air Methods Awarded Multiple International Completion Contracts

DENVER, Feb. 20, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Air Methods Corporation AIRM, the global leader in air medical transportation, announced today that its United Rotorcraft Division has been awarded contracts totaling up to $5.5 million with the Ecuadorian Navy, AgustaWestland, and an unnamed customer in the Middle East to design, manufacture, certify and complete several airframes for a variety of missions.  

"United Rotorcraft is very pleased to have been awarded these unique, international completion contracts," stated Mike Slattery, President, United Rotorcraft. "This new business validates the capabilities and capacity of United Rotorcraft, as well as demonstrates the confidence global markets have in our products and company. We look forward to showcasing the breadth of our capabilities through successful completion of these agreements."

United Rotorcraft will reconfigure four Bell 430 aircraft for the Ecuadorian Navy. Two helicopters will be converted from a dedicated EMS configuration to a search and rescue configuration. The aircraft will be outfitted with new EMS interiors, external hoists, sliding doors, cargo hooks, bambi bucket kits, and a wide arrangement of avionics, tactical radios, satellite communications, and new paint. Two other helicopters will be modified in country to integrate downward looking SAR radars and thermal imaging systems. Additionally, United Rotorcraft will perform an EMS completion, satellite communications installation, and paint for the Ecuadorian Navy's King Air B350 fixed-wing aircraft. All work will be completed in this fiscal year.

The second contract is with AgustaWestland to design, manufacture, and European Aviation Safety Agency-approve three EMS interiors of an AW169 twin-engine helicopter for the Dubai Air Wing/Dubai Police/EMS slated for completion July 2015. With interior design collaboration from Dubai Air Wing, the EMS interior will include the United Rotorcraft Translating Patient Loading System, seating to accommodate six occupants in the main cabin, plus pilots, a customized medical cabinet, and provisions for securing medical support equipment. The interior will be a "quick change" design so that the operator can reconfigure the aircraft to Airborne Law Enforcement and high-density seating for eight occupants in main cabin plus pilots.

The third contract shipping in March 2014 is for a Middle Eastern customer operating the S70i (UH-60 Blackhawk) helicopter. United Rotorcraft will provide two Multi-Patient Stacking System (MPSS) kits for the operator's S70 Blackhawks in support of MEDEVAC missions. Each MPSS will equip the S70's with a light weight stacking litter system capable of transporting up to four critical patients, an integrated seating system for four during ambulatory transports, and advanced life saving capabilities such as oxygen storage and 115A/C power outlets for charging or powering carry-on equipment throughout the mission. In addition, each MPSS includes two multi-function crew seats for medical technicians or other crew members as the mission dictates. This will be the first sale for United Rotorcraft of the MPSS into the Middle East.

Air Methods Corporation (www.airmethods.com) is the global leader in air medical transportation. The Air Medical Services Division is the largest provider of air medical transport services in the United States. The United Rotorcraft Division specializes in the design and manufacture of aeromedical and aerospace technology. The Tourism Division is comprised of Sundance Helicopters, Inc. and Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, which provides helicopter tours and charter flights in the Las Vegas/Grand Canyon region and Hawaii, respectively. Air Methods' fleet of owned, leased or maintained aircraft features over 400 helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.

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