PHOENIX, AZ., SEPT. 25, 2006   -   Sky FlightCare of Coatsville, PA has taken delivery of their new MD 902 Explorer® at the Air Medical Transport Conference in Phoenix, Az. Sky FlightCare currently operates from its home base in Coatsville, serving rural communities in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Sky FlightCare has been in operation for over 23 years, and recently celebrated a milestone of 15,000 accident free flights utilizing a MD 900 Explorer.

The MD 902 Explorer was designed as an EMS aircraft with significant focus on the safety aspects of the mission requirements. MDHI's patented Notar® system allows for the safest operating Helicopter-EMS (HEMS) platform in the industry. Additionally, the Notar System makes the Explorer the quietest aircraft in its class. The Explorer boasts the largest functional cabin in its class, while the Integrated Instrument Display System (IIDS) and Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) combine to reduce pilot workload and increase safety. Utilizing the proven and reliable Pratt and Whitney Canada 207E engines with 720 shaft horsepower-per-engine, the Explorer has the highest payload in the light twin engine class, yet maintains the lowest direct operating costs (DOC's) as evidenced by the independent industry analyst Conklin & deDecker's figures.

Sky FlightCare has flown just over 10,000 patient flights and 5,000 to 7,000 additional non-patient flights since it began operations in 1983 - all accident free. In addition to providing pre-hospital trauma care, Sky FlightCare assists local law enforcement agencies with search operations and transportation of medical supplies, equipment and transplant organs between hospitals in the region. Sky FlightCare utilizes a pilot, a flight nurse, a flight paramedic, and a flight communicator to provide the highest level of professionalism and care to the region.

"In an industry known for its potentially high risk operations, this is a remarkable achievement," said David Oglesbee, Vice President of Sales for MD Helicopters. He continued, "Air ambulance operators frequently are called upon to provide life-saving care in weather conditions including heavy rain, fog, high winds and snow, which makes adherence to safety even more important. Sky FlightCare has continued, year after year, with its focus on safe operations and on saving lives."

Nelson McCall, Sky FlightCare's veteran chief flight nurse, said, "This is the most safety conscious organization I've ever been involved with. We do everything possible to provide air medical service, but never violate our own rigid standards for safety."

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About MD Helicopters:
MD Helicopters is a leading manufacturer of commercial and military helicopters. The MDHI family of rotorcraft is world renowned for their value, versatility and performance. The MD Helicopters family includes the twin-engine MD Explorer®, and single engine versions of the MD 600N®, MD 520N®, MD 500E® and MD 530F®. The NOTAR® system for anti-torque control is the exclusive property of MD Helicopters. The Company is based in Mesa, Arizona.

About Patriarch Partners, LLC
Patriarch Partners, LLC is an investment firm in New York and Charlotte, North Carolina which together with its affiliates, provides portfolio management services and serves as investment advisor to multiple leveraged funds and a private equity fund. Founded in 2000 by Lynn Tilton, Patriarch provides innovative financial solutions, strategic direction and operational expertise to companies undergoing periods of pervasive change. Patriarch currently monitors credit facilities in respect to approximately $5 billion dollars of assets under its management, including  equity positions (majority and minority) in more than 65 companies. Lynn Tilton serves as Chairman of the Board of MDHI. Funds managed by Patriarch Partners own a majority and controlling interest in MDHI.

Contact: Debbie Jones, MDHI
(480) 346-6474
debbie@mdhelicopters.com