US air medical operator CareFlite has ordered four AgustaWestland A109 Power emergency medical service (EMS) helicopters for delivery this year, and taken options on four more for delivery in 2003. The twin-turbine helicopters will be powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206C engines.

CareFlite serves an area within a 240km (130nm) radius of Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, operating eight helicopters from five bases. The fleet comprises two Bell 206L and two Bell 407 light turbine singles and four Bell 222 intermediate turbine twins, plus a Raytheon Beech King Air 90 for longer flights.

The company decided to upgrade and standardise its rotary wing fleet on all light twin-turbine helicopters and selected the A109 Power based on its "performance, EMS capabilities, operational economies and support", says chief executive Ed Majors.

The CareFlite A109s will be certificated for single-pilot instrument flight rules operation and configured to accommodate two patients and three attendants.

Source: Flight International