Intermountain Health acquires new AW109 and simulator
US healthcare provider Intermountain Health has acquired an AW109 GrandNew twin-engine helicopter from manufacturer Leonardo
The aircraft will be used by the Utah-based healthcare system to improve the timeliness, efficiency, and coverage of its air medical operations in the US state.
The new rotorcraft will join a fleet of six AW109s already operated by Intermountain.
The deal with Leonardo also covers the lease of an AW109 GrandNew enhanced training device with virtual extended reality (ETD VxR) – the first device of its kind that the aerospace firm has supplied to a customer.
The device will allow Intermountain’s crews to train using “dynamic, immersive training scenarios that replicate real-life emergencies”.
“We are a big believer in the value of simulator use in training,” said Jared Thompson, Senior Director of Aviation Operations for Intermountain. “Intermountain Health is heavily invested in our low-level instrument flight rules (IFR) structure for helicopters. This simulator will allow our pilots constant exposure to the demanding IFR environment, while reducing blade time and associated costs of using an actual aircraft. We are extremely excited about pioneering the amazing technology of the VxR simulator.”
Intermountain Health acquired helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) operator Classic Air Medical in 2021.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor at the Voyageur Group. He was previously a News and Features Journalist for the rail magazine IRJ until 2021, and studied MA Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. His favourite helicopter is the AW169 – the workhorse of the UK air ambulance sector! He also led the creation of Waypoint: The AirMed&Rescue podcast, serving as its Production Editor and co-host.