ROCKFORD (WREX) -
Rockford's OSF St. Anthony Hospital will receive one of four new helicopters from OSF Aviation.
The EC145 helicopter is manufactured by American Eurocopter and can hold up to two patients and four personnel including the pilot and members of the medical team. The helicopter will operate as a Lifeline medical air ambulance.
"We knew that the EC145 would provide us with the extra range and the power to carry extra weight when needed," OSF Aviation Executive Director Brent Grady said." "With the additional space offered by the EC145's cabin, this allows us the capabilities to fly team flights, carry isolettes, and dual patients if the mission requires."
OSF has leased the helicopters in an effort to save money. If directly purchased, the cost would be approximately $7 million per helicopter. Some of the key features of the new helicopter include:
- Wide Area Augmentation System - allows the helicopter to fly in clouds without relying on visual reference points
- Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System - warns pilots if they are too close to the ground or other obstructions
- Traffic Collision Avoidance System - allows pilots to see other air traffic in the area
- Up-to-the-minute satellite weather information and Storm Scope - shows lightning strikes in the immediate area
- Sky Connect Satellite Tracking System - tracks the aircraft at all times when in flight, allows for calls to be routed through a satellite phone
- Night vision goggles - allows pilots to see more clearly when flying at night or in low light
- Super night scanner search lights
The other three helicopters will be put into use in Peoria and Peru, Illinois.
