Mercy Flight Central shows off new AW119
The air ambulance organization serving the US State of New York, has unveiled the first of four new Leonardo AW119s
The new helicopter will be based at Mercy Flight Central’s (MFC) Canandaigua base, southeast of Rochester. Subsequently delivered rotorcraft will be sent to its Marcellus and Rome bases.
The organization stated: “As MFC is in their 31st year of dedicated service, this helicopter represents … a renewed commitment to the communities that they serve.”
The new fleet is intended to eventually phase out MFC’s existing BK 117 rotorcraft, and will support the service’s ability to provide ‘high quality care to the critically ill or injured’.
The AW119Kx – the most recent iteration of the AW119 – has a maximum cruise speed of 241km/h, a maximum range of 945km, and cabin space for either a single stretcher with four medical attendants, or a dual stretcher configuration with two attendants.
President and CEO Erin Reese stated “I am proud of my team’s dedication to bringing these new aircraft into service. They have embraced change while learning new skills. Our new helicopters will help us continue to serve our community, being there for them when they need us most.”
Leonardo also recently received a contract to supply 20 AW119s to Italy’s Carabinieri law enforcement agency.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor at AirMed&Rescue. 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.