New Bell 407GXi helicopter for Mercy Air 15
The helicopter is equipped for operations in poor weather conditions and low visibility, significantly enhancing Mercy Air’s capabilities in the winter months
Mercy Air, an air ambulance program that serves the US states of California and Nevada, has acquired a new Bell 407GXi helicopter for its Mercy Air 15 base.
The helicopter features upgrades for instrument flight rules (IFR) operations, significantly improving the team’s ability to respond during winter weather that limits visibility. It will be used to provide air medical services across Kern County, California.
The rotorcraft replaces an older Bell 407 previously flown from Mercy Air 15, which did not feature IFR capabilities and struggled to operate in the dense fog that characterizes Kern County’s winter months.
“This aircraft upgrade is a major advancement for the community,” said Jared Szaroleta, Area Manager at Mercy Air. “Our ability to operate safely during low-visibility conditions means we can respond to emergencies even when weather would have grounded us in the past.”
The new aircraft is part of parent company Air Methods’ ongoing efforts to upgrade its fleet.
LifeEvac, in the US state of Virginia, recently opened a fourth helicopter base in the town of South Hill.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca was 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.