Shizuoka Air Commuter Orders a Grandnew EMS Helicopter

Finmeccanica – AgustaWestland and Kaigai Corporation of Japan announced today that Shizuoka Air Commuter has placed an order for a GrandNew light twin helicopter to perform emergency medical service missions for Toyama Prefecture. The aircraft is expected to enter service in summer 2015.

This latest purchase is part of the Doctor Heli system programme which is intended to provide modern airborne EMS coverage to all prefectures in Japan. The order further expands the presence of EMS-configured GrandNew helicopters in the Japanese market and continues the growing success of the GrandNew and AgustaWestland’s range of light twin helicopters in Japan. Approximately 80 aircraft have been sold to perform a number of missions including EMS, law enforcement, executive/corporate  transport and electronic newsgathering.

Shizuoka Air Commuter, in joint venture with Kagoshima International Aviation, was awarded a Doctor Heli contract by Toyama Prefecture offering the GrandNew after a rigorous and comprehensive evaluation process, demonstrating its ability to meet the demanding mission requirements, especially at high altitudes.

Shizuoka Air Commuter’s GrandNew features a comprehensive EMS configuration with a cabin layout able to accommodate one litter plus up to four medical attendants or two litters plus medical attendants. The aircraft is also fitted with skis, ice detector and EVS (Enhanced Vision System).

The GrandNew’s outstanding performance in terms of speed and range, large cabin with easy access and modern avionics system make it the most capable light twin helicopter for EMS missions. The GrandNew features the most modern developments in avionics and is the first type certified light twin (CS/JAR/FAR 27) to enter service with a new EFIS featuring Synthetic Vision and the first helicopter in this class that fully complies with the latest advanced global positioning system-based navigation requirements for all weather operations.