CoxHealth will become the first EMS/air medical MD 902 operator to field the Genesys Aerosystems’ Advanced IDU-680 integrated all-glass cockpit; will also feature new, upgraded United Rotorcraft/Air Methods EMS interior
MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) is proud to announce the expansion of the CoxHealth air medical fleet to include a second MD Explorer helicopter. Springfield, Missouri-based CoxHealth has purchased an MD 900 Explorer from MDHI that was previously operated by the Dutch Police and the United States Coast Guard. The light-twin engine helicopter will be upgraded at MDHI’s Mesa, Arizona Factory Service Center where it will be converted to a “zero-time” MD 902. The MD 900-to-902 Upgrade is offered exclusively by MD Helicopters.
“We are honored the team at CoxHealth chose to expand their air medical fleet with another MD Explorer,” said Craig Kitchen, Chief Commercial Officer for MD Helicopters. “This aircraft is absolutely perfect for EMS/air ambulance operators; delivering excellent maneuverability, increased safety and low operating costs.”
This acquisition is part of CoxHealth’s commitment to deliver operational economies and improve patient care at its growing network of hospitals and health care facilities.
“The addition of this helicopter to our air ambulance fleet will improve our ability to deliver life-saving patient care to those who might otherwise be unreachable,” said Susan Crum, RN, Cox Air Care Program Director. “The MD 902 is fast and has a great range – allowing us to cover an area up to 300 miles away from our base in Springfield. It also offers a large cabin and smooth flight which combine to allow our in-flight medical crews to safely deliver the critical care that could be the difference between life and death.”
Following completion of the 900-to-902 conversion, which includes a pair of new Pratt & Whitney PW207E turboshaft engines, an Integrated Instrument Display System (IIDS), revised engine air inlets, improved NOTAR® inlet design, and a more powerful stabilizer control system, the CoxHealth MD 902 will also be outfitted with a Wire Strike Protection System, Nightscanner Plus HID Retractable searchlight, the Garmin GMX 200 multi-function display (MFD), the Technisonic TDFM 7000 multi-band radio, a GNS 430W all-in-one GPS/Nav/Comm solution, Outerlink’s Aircraft Satellite Tracking System, and an improved United Rotorcraft Air Methods EMS interior.
United Rotorcraft EMS/Air Medical Interior
The United Rotorcraft Multi-Functional EMS Interior was designed to maximize the capabilities of the MD900/902 airframe providing unequaled utility, value and mission flexibility to meet the demands of today’s aeromedical environment. The Kit offers:
- Flexible Interior Configurations
- Meet Changing Mission Parameters
- Accessibility to the Patient
- Improve Care Giving Capability
- Operational Simplicity
- Limited Distractions in High Stress Environment
- Light Weight
- Minimize Operational Costs and Enhance Aircraft Performance
- Minimal Aircraft Modifications
- Lower Interior Cost and Faster Delivery
- Ease of Cleaning, Maintenance and Repair
- Lower Operational Costs, Minimize Downtime
- Low Contamination Risk
“It’s always gratifying when you are part of a customer’s growth, and it’s a compliment to ones organization to have the honor to equip their additional aircraft that will provide advanced healthcare / transportation using products we manufacture at United Rotorcraft,” stated Frank Graham, Sr. Director Global Sales and Marketing for United Rotorcraft.
“The replacement/structural floor and patient loading system is exclusive to the MD900/902,” added Graham. “Which adds value to the aircraft while simplifying patient loading and maximizing patient access while remaining in your seats.”
Glass Cockpit
The CoxHealth’s MD 902 will also become the first commercial aircraft to receive the all-new Genesys Aerosystems’ Advanced IDU-680 integrated all-glass cockpit, announced last month at HAI Heli-Expo. The all new Genesys system aboard CoxHealth’s MD 902 will feature:
- Three IDU-680, 6” x 9” High-Resolution LCD displays
- Automatic or Manual Revisionary Modes
- 3D Synthetic Vision
- Highway-In-The-Sky (HITS) Navigation
- Geo-Referenced Hover Vector
- Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System (H-TAWS)
- Night Vision A&B Capabilities
- Weather Radar Integration
- Integrated ADS-B Traffic Display
- Engine Instrument Crew Advisory System (EICAS)
- Data Acquisition Units for Custom Engine Monitoring
- Flight Data Recording
- Graphical FMS/VHF Navigation
- Moving Map
“We are thrilled CoxHealth will be the first to receive the MD902 Explorer with our Advanced IDU-680s,” said Jamie Luster, Director of Sales and Marketing for Genesys Aerosystems. “In the EMS market, flight missions can be stressful and Genesys technology provides uniquely suited solutions for companies like CoxHealth, by offering safety enhancements and lowering pilot workload.”
CoxHealth has operated the MD 902, which offers improved safety, smoother flight, and a reduced noise profile versus other helicopters in its class, since 2007. This additional helicopter will standardize the air medical fleet for the growing CoxHealth network – which recently expanded to include Bolivar, Missouri-based Citizens Memorial Hospital – to the MD 902.
“We are proud to be part of the continued growth of the CoxHealth network and look forward to continuing our already strong relationship with this incredibly passionate and professional healthcare team,” Kitchen concludes. “The MD Explorer is a proven, multi-purpose helicopter that has set the standard in performance, affordability, dependability and safety for more than 20 years. With the upgraded cockpit and improved EMS interior we are confident it will remain a proven and preferred choice for EMS/air medical providers worldwide.”
Initial delivery of the CoxHealth MD 902 is scheduled by the end of the second quarter, 2017. Retrofitting with the new glass cockpit will be completed by the end of FY 2017.
