North Flight Aero Med acquires new plane

The plane will become the new primary aircraft for the operator – which is run through a partnership between Munson Healthcare and Corewell Health. It will replace the previous primary aircraft, a King Air B-200, which will be moved to a support position.

The new B-250 will offer speeds of up to 563km/h, and a range of 2,414km. In addition, the new plane will have a ‘staff-designed patient care area’, modern avionics, and a powered lift system to assist in the safe loading and unloading of patients.

NFAM’s fixed-wing aircraft are primarily used to conduct long-range critical care transfers, as well as ‘transports during weather where the helicopter cannot fly’.

“The NFAM airplane is a crucial resource for air ambulance transports in northern Michigan and this new airplane will allow for uninterrupted service in times of maintenance related downtime.” said Tiffany Obetts, Director of North Flight Aero Med. 

The operator also flies a Sikorsky S-76 B helicopter for shorter-range operations, which it has had for seven years. However, Obetts confirmed in a statement that this will also be replaced as the service’s primary aircraft, following the introduction of a new Sikorsky S-76 C++ later this spring.

“The investment in these new aircraft demonstrates community commitment from Munson and Corewell Health and will serve us many years to come,” she added.

Michigan-based Enstrom relaunched helicopter production earlier this year, after having filed for bankruptcy in late 2021.