Grand Prairie, TX – June 21, 2010 – American Eurocopter announced today that Travis County STAR Flight has placed its third EC145 into service. STAR Flight is a public safety air rescue program based in Austin, Texas. The program selected the EC145 to fulfill the needs of its expanding mission scope.

“Our program handles a wide variety of missions including a mix of EMS, search and rescue (SAR), firefighting, and law enforcement support missions,” explains Casey Ping, STAR Flight’s Program Director . “We chose the EC145 because it supplies the power, reliability and cabin size to meet our broad mission parameters.”

The EC145 is a medium-class, twin-engine helicopter that has become the preferred aircraft for a variety of missions.  The aircraft offers multi-mission capability with speed, advanced glass cockpit, extra-large cabin and exceptional visibility.  The EC145 has made its mark in the U.S. market, particularly among air medical service operators with its high-set main and tail rotors that help them operate safely on the ground, even during “hot” loading/unloading with blades turning.

 “With the number and different type of missions we fly, we can count on the EC145’s combination of safety features, its capabilities and flexibilities, and high performance to get the job done,” he adds. “This third EC145 will help ensure that we have aircraft available to fulfill the missions needed in our expanding service area.”

STAR Flight is the only 24/7 aerial emergency medical service in Texas that performs highly specialized emergency response services, including, emergency medical and specialty team transport, still and swift-water rescue, search and rescue, high angle rescue, fire suppression/aerial reconnaissance, and law safety assistance. The program provides service and support for more than 19 counties in the central Texas area.

Source: Eurocopter