Eleven medevac planes ordered for Norway
The planes will support Babcock’s contract with Air Ambulance Services of Norway.
Babcock Scandinavian Air Ambulance has placed an order for 11 aircraft from Textron Aviation, Inc., comprising 10 Beechcraft King Air 250 turboprops and what the aircraft manufacturer said is the first medevac-configured Cessna Citation Latitude midsize jet. The planes will support Babcock’s contract with Air Ambulance Services of Norway to provide communities across Norway with vital air medical support.
Øyvind Juell, CEO, Air Ambulance Services of Norway, said: “The introduction of the Latitude as the first jet aircraft in our fleet will enable us to reduce patient transfer times and operate direct flights across the entire country.”
Babcock’s fleet of King Air 250 turboprops will feature CAT II capability, said the manufacturer, enabling operations in reduced visibility. In addition, the aircraft will feature steep approach landing capability and be equipped to operate in polar regions.
The Latitude will also include a modified door to accommodate the loading and unloading of wide medical stretchers. Bob Gibbs, vice-president of special mission aircraft at Textron, noted that the Citation Latitude offers a steep approach capability, short runway performance and low cabin altitude.
Deliveries for the 11 aircraft are scheduled throughout the next 18 months and are expected to conclude in 2019, said Textron.