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.